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Stephens,  John  Vant ,  1857-, 

1946.  1 

The  Cumberland  Presbyteriai 

di  ees t 


THK 


Cumberland  Presbyterian  Digest. 


(1899) 


A    COMPEND   OF   THE    ORGANIC    LaW    OF    THE    CUMBER- 
LAND Presbyterian  Church,  Together  with 
THE  Organic  Law  of  its  General 
Agencies,  and  the  Judicial 
Deliverances  of  its 
Supreme  Judi-. 

CATORY. 


By  Rev.  J.  V.  STEPHENS, 

Jilurdock  Professor  of  Elcclesiastical  History,  and  Teacher  of  Church  Polity 
and  Presbyterian  Law  in  the  Theological  Seminary. 


NASHVILLE.  TENN.: 

Cumberland  Presbyterian  Publishing  House. 

1899. 


INTRODUCTION. 


Surely  in  reg'ard  to  an  Assembly  Dig-est,  applicable  has  been  the 
proverb,  "Hope  deferred  maketh  the  heart  sick."  Fifty  years  ag-o  the 
General  Assembly  first  took  action  looking-  to  the  preparation  of  a  Di- 
g-est  of  its  deliverances.  If  the  need  for  it  had  become  keenly  felt  at 
that  time,  what  is  to  be  said  of  the  sore  and  growing-  need  which  has 
been  experienced,  from  3^ear  to  year,  as  the  Assembly's  legislation  has 
been  expanding-  and  its  decisions  accumulating?  It  is  painful  to  think 
of  the  much  valuable  time  which  has  been  consumed  in  our  Church 
courts,  from  a  lack  of  this  work.  Frequently  has  the  writer  seen  the 
General  Assembly  occupy  many  hours  with  discussion  in  trying-  to  set- 
tle a  question  which  would  not  have  been  debated  for  a  moment,  had 
such  a  volume  as  this  been  at  hand  for  makiiii^  readj'  reference  to  past 
deliverances.  In  a  Synod  lately  attended  by  the  writer,  almost  an  en- 
tire half  day  was  wasted  in  debating-  a  point  which  would  never  have 
been  raised,  had  an  Assembly  Dig-est  been  accessible  ;  and  this  is  but 
an  example  of  what  has  been  constantly  occurring-  in  the  Assembly, 
Synods,  Presbyteries,  Sessions,  and  cong-regational  meeting-s.  Nor 
has  this  loss  of  time  been  the  only  evil  we  have  suffered.  Still  more  do 
■we  reg-ret  the  conflicting  interpretations  and  deliverances  made  by  dif- 
ferent Church  courts,  and  the  contradictory  decisions  rendered  by  the 
same  judicatory,  even  the  General  Assembly  occasionall}-  crossing-  its 
own  path  unawares. 

Notwithstanding  this  long- felt  need  of  a  Digest,  and  the  Assembl3''s 
repeated  directions  that  it  should  be  published,  various  hindrances 
have  hitherto  stood  in  the  way  of  its  appearance,  such  as  the  sickness 
of  committeemen  having  the  work  in  hand,  a  failure  to  find  the  manu- 
scripts of  deceased  committeemen,  lack  of  means  to  carry  the  work 
through  the  press,  etc. 

Such  having  been  our  experiences  concerning  a  Digest,  the  whole 
Church  will  hail  with  delight  the  publication  of  this  volume,  a  cop3'  of 
which  should  immediately  go  into  the  librarj^  of  every  minister  of  the 
Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,  and  into  the  hands  of  every  Session 
Clerk  as  well.  And  henceforth  we  may  reasonably  expect  to  see  more 
intelligence,  harmony,  uniformity  and  consistency  in  the  proceedings 
of  all  our  Church  courts  ;  also  a  great  saving  of  time  in  their  delibera- 
tions. Every  judicatory  will  appreciate  this  medium  for  finding  ready 
and  authoritative  answers  to  questions  of  histor\',  government,  and 
discipline,  and  every  interest  and  enterprise  of  the  denomination  will 
be  a  receiver  of  material  benefits  coming  through  the  correct  and  or- 
derly business  methods  which  this  volume  will  promote, 
(iii) 


iv  INTRODUCTION. 

Probably  few  persons  using-  this  book  will  appreciate  the  amount  of 
labor  which  its  preparation  required.  The  work  of  g-etting-  the  manu- 
script ready  for  the  press  having-  been  done  here  in  Lebanon,  the  writer 
has  had  ample  opportunity  to  observe  its  progress,  from  start  to  finish, 
and  he  can  testify  as  to  the  many  difficulties  met,  and  the  abundant 
labors  involved.  In  selecting-  a  compiler,  the  Assembly  certainly  made 
a  wise  appointment,  choosing-  one  with  that  boundless  patience,  that 
mastery  of  details,  that  untiring-  energ-y,  that  carefulness  in  research, 
that  well-balanced  judgment,  and  that  conscientiousness  in  historical 
statement,  which  pre-eminently  fit  him  for  a  duty  of  this  character. 

The  fact  should  be  noted,  that  the  Church  is  in  a  measure  under  obli- 
g-ation  to  the  Theological  Seminary  for  this  useful  volume.  It  was 
Professor  Stephens'  class-room  work  of  teaching-  Church  Polity  and 
Presbyterian  Law,  his  materials  having-  been  in  this  way  g-athered  and 
arrang-ed  and  his  familiarity  with  the  subject  having-  been  thus  at- 
tained, which  led  the  Assembly  to  think  of  him  as  the  most  suitable 
person  to  call  to  the  work ;  and  for  the  satisfactory  manner  in  which 
he  has  performed  the  task  assig-ned  him  doubtless  the  General  Assem- 
bly and  the  Church  will  sincerely  and  cordially  say,  "  Well  done,  g-ood 
and  faithful  servant."  J.  M.   Hubbert. 

Lebanou,  Tenn.,  March  28,  1S99. 


EXPLANATORY. 


The  preparation,  for  publication,  of  "  The  Cumberland  PresbA'terian 
Digest"  was  undertaken  at  the  request  of  the  General  Assembly  of 
the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,  in  1897,  in  session  at  Chicag-o. 
Whatever  preparation  the  compiler  had  for  performing-  such  a  task, 
was  g-ained  in  his  studies  in  preparing  himself  to  teach  Church  Polity 
and  Presbyterian  Law  in  the  Theological  Seminary. 

The  Minutes  of  the  General  Assembly  for  the  past  seventy  years 
formed  an  immense  bulk  of  matter  that  had  to  be  carefully  examined. 
From  these  thousands  of  pages  many  hundreds  of  selections  had  to  be 
made,  classified,  and  prepared  for  use.  It  was  no  easy  task  to  deter- 
mine upon  a  general  plan  of  classification  for  this  vast  amount  of  ma- 
terial. Out  of  all  the  plans  that  sugg-ested  themselves,  the  classifica- 
tion of  the  materials  under  the  following  six  divisions  was  adopted  : 
Part  I.,  Historical  Statements;  Part  II.,  The  Church;  Part  III., 
Church  Officers;  Part  IV.,  Church  Courts;  Part  V.,  Judiciary  ;  Part 
VI.,  Agencies  of  the  General  Assembly.  Very  frequently  a  deliver- 
ance was  found  which  might  with  equal  fitness  be  classified  in  more 
than  one  place.  In  such  cases  it  was  regarded,  generally,  as  being 
sufficient  to  insert  the  matter  under  one  head,  and  make  cross-refer- 
ences from  other  sections  where  It  could  naturally  have  been  placed. 
Occasionally,  however,  the  importance  of  the  question  involved,  where 
too  much  space  was  not  required,  was  such  as  to  warrant  the  printing 
of  the  matter  under  more  than  one  head.  This  explains  the  repetition 
of  a  few  deliverances. 

This  being-  the  first  Digest  of  the  acts  and  deliverances  of  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly  which  has  been  printed,  it  is  necessary  to  make  many 
of  the  extracts  from  the  Assembly's  records  quite  full.  There  is  but 
one  complete  file  of  the  Minutes  of  the  General  Assembly  in  existence, 
and  there  are  but  few  files  that  are  anything  like  complete;  so  unless 
the  extracts  printed  in  this  volume  are  full,  many  historical  facts  would 
be  lost  to  the  Church.  Where  points  of  law  are  involved  it  is  prefera- 
ble that  a  presbyter  should  have  before  him  a  full  statement  of  the 
case,  rather  than  the  conclusion  drawn  by  another,  however  competent 
he  may  be,  even  though  such  conclusion  be  stated  in  exact  words  se- 
lected from  the  original  document.  This  was  the  mind  of  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly's  Committee  which  had  the  subject  under  consideration, 
and  on  whose  report  the  preparation  of  this  book  was  undertaken. 

It  should  constantly  be  borne  in  mind  that  up  to  and  includix^'.g  the 
year  1882,  all  decisions  of  the  General  Assemblv  were  rendered  under 
the  Old  Confession  of  Faith,  and  that  those  since  1882  have  been  based 

(V) 


vi  JiXPL.lXA  7  X)A' } '. 

upon  the  New  Confession  of  Faith.  Frequently  the  two  Confessions 
agree  in  their  statements  of  the  law,  but  where  there  is  a  difference 
the  fact  should  be  carefully  noted.  Decisions  based  upon  statements 
in  the  Old  Confession  of  Faith,  which  are  now  clearlj-  obsolete,  as  a 
rule,  are  not  noted  in  these  pag-es. 

It  has  been  the  purpose  to  include  in  this  volume  everj-  deliverance 
of  the  General  Assembly  that  bears  on  and  explains  the  constitutional 
law  of  the  Church,  as  set  forth  in  the  New  Confession  of  Faith,  the 
present  standard  of  the  Church.  Extracts  from  the  constitutional 
law  are  classified  along  with  these  deliverances  of  the  General  Assem- 
bly, so  that  both  the  constitutional  and  statutory  laws  on  a  given 
subject  ma}'  be  consulted  by  the  presbyter,  in  the  most  convenient 
manner. 

The  insertion  of  explanator}'  notes  was  found  to  be  a  necessity".  They 
are  usually  of  a  historical  character,  and  are  intended  to  supply,  or 
supplement,  certain  matters  in  which  the  records,  for  one  reason  or 
another,  are  defective.  It  is  not  the  purpose  to  express  any  personal 
opinion,  in  these  notes,  on  questions  which  have  been  under  discussion 
in  the  Church.  Furthermore,  these  notes  are  always  bracketed,  and 
are  followed  by  the  initials  of  the  compiler,  so  that  they  can  readily  be 
distinguished  from  the  bod}'  of  the  subject-matter.  For  convenience, 
however,  they  are  inserted  in  the  appropriate  places  in  the  text,  rather 
than  at  the  foot  of  the  pages. 

VaUiable  suggestions  have  been  received  from  various  sources,  grate- 
ful recognition  of  which  is  here  recorded.  Ruling  Elder  John  M.  Gaut, 
who  is  recognized  as  an  authority  on  the  laws  of  the  Church,  was  freely 
consulted,  not  only  as  to  the  g-eneral  plan  of  the  work,  but  also  as  to 
details.  The  thoroughness  of  the  volume  has  been  greatly  enhanced 
through  valuable  suggestions  made  hy  Rev.  J.  M.  Hubbert,  D.D.,  the 
Stated  Clerk  of  the  General  Assembl}'.  For  twenty-eight  3'ears  the 
Rev.  Dr.  Hubbert  has  been  identified  with  the  clerical  department  of 
the  Assembly ,  first  as  Assistant  Clerk,  then  as  Stated  Clerk  of  that 
body.  No  one  in  the  Church  is  more  familiar  with  its  legislation  for 
the  last  quarter  of  a  century.  His  observations  have  been  broad  and 
discriminating.  It  is,  therefore,  with  pleasure  that  the  announcement 
is  made  that  every  page  of  the  manuscript,  before  being  sent  to  the 
printer,  passed  under  the  review  of  the  Stated  Clerk  of  the  General 
Assembly.  The  compiler  is  also  indebted  to  Mr.  George  H.  Mack,  a 
student  in  the  Theological  Seminary,  for  painstaking  clerical  work  and 
proof  reading.     The  preparation  of  the  index  is  the  work  of  his  hand. 

J.  V.  Stephens. 

Theological  Seminary,  Lebanon,  Teun.,  April  5,  1899. 


SYLLABUS. 


PART  I.,  HISTORICAL  STATEMENTS. 

I.   The  (General )  Cumberland  Presbytery 1 

The  compact  entered  into,  at  the  org-anization  of 1 

The  "  Circular  Eetter  "  sent  out 2 

Divided  into  three  Presbj'teries 19 

II,  The  (General)  Cumberland  Synod.. 21 

A  brief  view  of  doctrines  set  forth 21 

Confession  of  Faith  adopted 23 

III.  The  General  Assembly  org-anized 25 

Chang-es  made  in  the  Form  of  Government 25 

Confession  of  Faith  revised  (1883) 25 

PART  II.,  THE  CHURCH. 

I.  The  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church 43 

Does  not  claim  to  be  the  only  Church 43 

How  the  word  "  Cumberland  "  came  to  be  in  the  Church  name.   44 

1.  The  General  Assembly  refused  to  chang-e  the  name 46 

2.  The  anniversary'  of  the  Church 48 

II.  A  Particular  church 48 

1.  Org-anizing-  a  new  church » 49 

2.  When  org-anizations  are  forbidden.. 49 

3.  Becoming-  a  constituent  of  Presbj'tery 50 

4.  When  may  a  church  be  represented  in  Presbytery  ? 50 

5.  Cong-reg-ational  boundaries 51 

6.  A  Minister  cannot  g^o  into  the  bounds  of  one  cong-reg^ation 

to  collect  funds  for  another  cong-reg^ation 52 

7.  Presbytery  cannot  dissolve  a  congreg^ation  without  its  con- 

sent     52 

8.  When  may  a  Presbj'tery  cut  off  a  cong-reg^ation  ? 52 

9.  Presbyteries  should  order  whatever  pertains  to  the  welfare 

of  their  churches 53 

10.  Relation  of  Board  of  Missions  to  a  mission  church 53 

11.  Assembly  determines  the  legitimate  cong-reg^ation S2, 

12.  Title  to  church  propert3' 54 

III.  Church  members 58 

1.   Admission  of  persons  into  the  church 58 

(1)  Reception  of  members  on  profession  of  faith 58 

(2)  Reception  of  members  by  letter 59 

(vii) 


iii  ■    S)/J..U!('S. 

2.  Jurisdiction  over  church  members 60 

3.  Letters  of  dismission 60 

4.  Causes  without  process 61 

5.  Names  retired  upon  a  separate  roll 61 

6.  A  member  may  withdraw    62 

7.  Session  alone  can  deprive  individuals  of  membership 62 

8.  Power  to  restore  a  suspended  member 62 

9.  May  a  suspended  member  lead  in  worship  ? 63 

10.  Members  should  g-ive  of  their  means  to  support  the  church.   63 

11.  The  General  Assembly's  card  for  systematic  beneficence. . .  63 

PART  III.,  CHURCH  OFFICERS. 

I.  Ministers 66 

1.  Minister  versus  bishop 67 

2.  One   must    adopt    the    Confession    of    Faith    to   become    a 

minister 67 

3.  One  minister  may  not  intrude  ifi  the  tield  of  another 68 

4.  Ministers  directed  by  their  Presbyteries 68 

5.  A  minister   whose   membership  is  in  one  Presbytery  and 

who  lives  in  another 68 

6.  Jurisdiction  over  a  dismissed  minister 69 

7.  A  minister  in  transilu  cannot  sit  as  a  member  of  Synod. ...  69 

8.  A  minister  in  a  Presbytery  with  a  letter  from  it. 70 

9.  Ministers  must  attend  Synod 70 

10.  Relation  of  a  suspended  minister  to  Presbytery 70 

11.  Restoring  a  suspended  or  deposed  minister 71 

12.  A  minister  may  demit  his  office    72 

13.  Suspension  cannot  be  removed  while  an  appeal  is  pending.   72 

14.  Right  of  a  member  or  a  minister  to  withdraw 72 

15.  Directory  of  ministers 73 

16.  Roll  of  deceased  ministers 73 

17.  A  woman  may  not  be  ordained  to  the  ministrj- 73 

II.  Ruling  elders 77 

1.  Who  should  be  elected  ruling  elders  ? 78 

2.  An  elder  cannot  be  elected  for  a  limited  period 89 

3.  Deliverances  on  rotation  in  the  eldership 90 

4.  A  ruling  elder  elected  Moderator  of  the  Assembly 93 

5.  Ruling  elders  not  members  of  Presbytery  may  be  placed  on 

standing  committees 9o 

6.  An  elder  not  a  member  of  Presbytery  may  be  elected  a 

commissioner  to  the  Assembly 96 

7.  An  elder  not  compelled  to  vote  as  instructed 96 

III.   Deacons 96 

1.  Men  chosen  to  this  office 97 

2.  Deacons  must  keep  a  record. .  .    9/  . 

3.  Deacons  cannot  be  elected  for  a  limited  period 97 

4.  Women  may  be  appointed  to  care  for  the  sick,  etc..  .  .  , 97 


SVLL.UK'S.  ix 

PART  IV.,  CHURCH  COURTS. 

I.  The  church  Session 105 

1.  Moderator  of  the  Session 106 

(1)  A  minister  not   in   charye    acts  as  Moderator  without 

objection 106 

(2)  A  minister  invited  to  act  as  Moderator  cannot  vote.  .  .  .    107 

2.  The  Clerk  of  the  Session 108 

(1)  The  Clerk  is  the  creature  of  the  Session 108 

(2)  The  Clerk  should  keep  a  record  of  all  money 108 

3.  Leg-ality  of  the  Session  at  Madisonville,  Ky.,  recognized.  .  109 

4.  The   Session  ma^'  hold  a   meeting-   in    the  absence  of  the 

minister 110 

5.  The  Session  has  original  jurisdiction  over   church   mem- 

bers     110 

6.  How  the  Session  should  enter  process  against  an  elder  or 

deacon Ill 

7.  When  may  the  Session  retire  the  name  of  a  church   mem- 

ber ? Ill 

8.  In  absence  of  testimony  to  the  contrar}-,  it  must   be   pre- 

sumed that  the  Session  acted  upon  the  request  of 
the  one  whose  name  was  retired 112 

9.  The  Session  may  retire  an  elder  or  deacon 113 

10.  Sunday  schools   are    under   the    care    of    the    church    Ses- 

sions     113 

11.  When  a  Session  may  be  dissolved  by  Presbytery 114 

II.  The  Presbytery 114 

1.  Presbytery  organized  by  synodical  authority 114 

2.  Constituent  elements  of  Presbytery 115 

3.  What  entitles  a  church  to  representation  in  Presbytery?.  .    115 

4.  What  constitutes  a  quorum  of  Pi-esbytery  ? 115 

5.  How  often  must  Presbytery  meet  ? 115 

6.  Assembly  refused  to  change  the  Constitution  so  as  to  com- 

pel Presbyteries  to  meet  at  the  same  time 116 

7.  Provision  for  failure  of  Presbj^tery  to  meet  at  the  time  to 

which  it  stood  adjourned 116 

8.  Special  meetings  of  Presbytery 116 

9.  Members  of  special  meetings  of  Presbyter3- 117 

10.  Moderator  of  Presbytery    117 

11.  Stated  Clerk  of  Presbytery 117 

12.  Advisory  members  and  visiting  brethren  in  Presbytery..  .  118 

13.  Powers  of  Presbytery 118 

(1)  Presbytery  has  the  power  to  receive  ministers. 119 

{a)  Fraudulent  membership  in  Presbytery  renders  acts 

of  im  poster  void 120 

(b)    A  minister  can  transfer  his  membership  by  letter 

only 120 


(c)  A  minister  cannot  be  received  "on  the  faith  of  a 
forthcoming-  letter  " 120 

{d)  Names  of  ministers  reported  as  having-  been  re- 
ceived on  "forthcoming-"  letters  are  to  be  omitted 
from  the  roll 122 

(2)  Presbytery  has  the  power  to  receive  and  license  proba- 

tioners       122 

{a)  Qualifications  for  licensure 123 

(b)   Licensing  candidates 123 

(r)    A  candidate  without  a  letter 124 

(d)  A  candidate  or  licentiate  responsible  to  the  Session 
for  his  conduct ...    124 

{e)  Name  of  probationer  may  be  dropped  without  as- 
signing any  reason  for  the  action 124 

(/)  May  licentiates  perform  the  marriage  ceremony-?..  .    125 

{g)  May  a  probationer  serve  as  a  ruling  elder  ? 125 

{/;)  Transfer  of  a  licentiate,  without  a  letter,  does  not 

vitiate  his  ordination. 127 

(?)    What  Presbytery  may  restore  a  license  ? 127 

(j)   Board  of  Education  not  to  extend  aid  to  probationers 

who  use  tobacco 127 

(k)  Marriage  of  probationers,  before  their  education  is 

completed,  to  be  discouraged  bj'  Presbj^teries 127 

(/)    Presbytery  inay  license  la3'  preachers 128 

(3)  Presbytery  has  the  power  to  ordain  probationers  to  the 

whole  work  of  the  ministry 130 

(a)  Trials  for  ordination — course  of  study. 130 

(b)  Licentiates  must  pass  a  constitutional  examination, 
before  ordination 134 

(c)  The  Assembly-  should  inquire  into  ordinations 136 

{d)  Ordination  service 138 

(e)  Ordination  by  a  Commission 140 

{/)  Prayer    and    charge,    in    ordination,    must    not    be 

omitted 141 

(g)  Ordination  on  the  Sabbath  day 141 

(4)  Presbytery  has  the  power  to  decide  appeals  and  com- 

plaints     141 

(5)  Presbytery  has  the  power  to  judge  ministers 141 

(a)  Power  to  censure  a  minister  belongs  to  Presb3'ter3' .   143 
{b)  Po^Yer  to  remove  a  susp  nsion 143 

(6)  Presbyterj' has  the  power  to  decide  questions  of  doctrine  146 

(7)  Presbytery  has  lIic  power  over  ministers 146 

(8)  Presbytery  has  the  power  over  churches 147 

(9)  Presbytery  has  the  power  to  order  whatever  pertains  to 

the  welfare  of  its  churches 148 

(10)  Presbytery  has  control  of  the  relation  between  minis- 
ters and  churches 148 


S}'LLAn(S.  xi 

(a)  Committee  on  Pastorates  and  Supplies 151 

{b)   Grouping-  churches 153 

{c)  Installation  of  pastors 155 

(d)  When  ministers  are  to  be  installed 157 

(11)  Presbyter)'  has  the  power  to  unite  or  divide  churches.  .    158 

(12)  Presbytery  cannot  examine  ordained  ministers  coming- 

by  letter 158 

(13)  Presbj'tery    may    allow    an    elder    who    has    not    been 

elected,  to  represent  his  Session 158 

(14)  A  representative  cannot  be  seated  before  his  church 

has  been  received 159 

(15)  Presbyteries  may  elect  ruling-  elders,  who  are  not  mem- 

bers of  their  bodies,  to  positions 159 

{a)  As  commissioners  to  the  General  Assembly 159 

(b)  As  committeemen  to  attend  to  presb^'terial  business  159 
III.   The  Synod 160 

1.  The  constituents  of  Synod 160 

2.  A  quorum  of  Sj-nod 160 

3.  Synods  are  created  by  authority  of  the  Assembly 161 

4.  Synodical  boundaries  are  determined  by  the  Assemblj'.  . .  .   161 

5.  But  in  chang-e  of  boundaries,  interested  Sj'nods  may  speak.   161 

6.  Members  of  Synod  should  attend 162 

7.  Meeting  of  S^-nod   164 

(1)  On  its  own  adjournment 164 

(2)  Provision  for  failure  to  meet  on  its  own  adjournment.  .    164 

(3)  Maj'  a  Synod  hold  a  called  meeting  ?      164 

8.  Meeting-  of   Synod,  after  the   time  to  which   it  stood  ad- 

journed, leg-al 166 

9.  Moderator  of  Synod 166 

10.  Clerk  of  Synod 167 

11.  Synod  determines  presbyterial  boundaries 167 

12.  May  S^-nod  transfer  the  membership  of  a  minister  ? 168 

13.  The  name  of  the  Presb_vtery   of  a  member  of  the  Synod 

should  be  g-iven 170 

14.  Can  Synod  leg-alize  the  acts  of  an  irregular  Presbytery?.  .   170 

15.  Acts  of  a  Synod  without  a  constitutional  element  ratified. .    171 

16.  Synod  cannot,  on  an  overture,  order  a  Presbytery  to  re- 

open a  case  that  has  passed  by  review  and  control..  172 

17.  Can  Synod  order  a  Presbytery  to  drop  a  name  from  its 

roll  ? 173 

18.  Synod  may  remand  with  instructions 174 

19.  When  a  call  on  Presbyter^'  is  unconstitutional    174 

20.  Advisory  members,  and  visiting-  brethren  in  Synod 175 

21.  Synod  held  on  Sunday 175 

22.  A  Sj-nod  should  obey  the  General  Assembly 176 

23.  Synods  must  see  that  their  Presbyteries  obey  the  Consti- 

tution      176 


;ii  SYLLABUS. 

24.  A   Synod  may    not    correct   its    minutes    after    they    have 

passed  the  Asseinbh' 176 

25.  May  Sj-nod  direct  a  Presbytery  to  chanye  its  record  ? 176 

26.  None  but  reg-ular  ministers  and  elders   entitled  to   sit  in 

Sj'nod 177 

27.  Synod  cannot  be  made  the  final  court  of  appeal 178 

IV.  The  General  Assembly 179 

1.  Formation  of  the  General  Assembl)- 179 

2.  First  meeting  of  the  General  Assembly' 180 

3.  Basis  of  representation  in  the  General  Assembly 183 

4.  Commissioners  to  the  General  Assemblj- 183 

(1)  Not  necessary  to  be  a  pastor  in  order  to  be  a  commis- 

sioner to  the  General  Assembly' 184 

(2)  Commissioners  should  remain  throug-h  the  Assembly-. .    184 

(3)  Commissioners  are  accountable  to  the  Presb^-teries .  . . .    184 

(4)  Commissioners  may  change  their  votes  before  the  re- 

sult is  announced 185 

5.  Advisor^'  members  in  the  Assembly 185 

6.  A  quorum  of  the  General  Assemblj' 185 

7.  The  Assembly  must  meet  as  often  as  once  in  two  years...  .  185 

8.  Provision  for  failure  to  meet  at  the  appointed  time 187 

9.  To  lengthen  the  time  of  the  sessions 188 

10.  Moderator  of  the  General  Assembly 188 

(1)  The  Moderator  appoints  the  Standing  Committees 188 

(2)  In  case  of  the  death  of  the  Stated  Clerk,  the  Moderator 

may  appoint  3.  pj'O  tempore  Clerk 189 

(3)  The  names  of  the  Moderators  of  the  General  Assembly  189 

11.  The  Stated  Clerk  of  the  General  Assembly 189 

(1)  List  of  the  Stated  Clerks 189 

(2)  The  Moderator  appoints  a  Stated  Clerk  pro  tempore . .  .  .   190 

(3)  The  duties  of  the  Stated  Clerk 193 

(rt)  It  is  the  Stated  Clerk's  duty  to  print  and  distribute 

the  Minutes 197 

{b)  It  is  the  Awty  of  the  Stated  Clerk  to  employ  a  re- 
porter      199 

{c)  It  is  the  duty  of    the   Stated  Clerk  to  conduct  the 

correspondence  with  other  ecclesiastical  bodies 199 

{d)  It  is  the  duty  of  the  Stated  Clerk  to  receive  and  re- 
ceipt for  the  contingent  fund 200 

(^)   It  is  the  duty  of  the  Stated   Clerk  to  perform  the 

duties  of  Engrossing  Clerk 200 

{f)  Duties  of  the  Stated  Clerk  in  reference  to  transpor- 
tation     201 

(4)  The  Salary  of  the  Stated  Clerk 201 

12.  Engrossing  Clerks  of  the  General  Assembly 203 

13.  Permanent  Engrossing  Clerk  of  the  Assembly 203 

14.  Temporary  Clerks  of  the  Assembh' 204 


SYLLABUS.  xiii 

15.  Treasurer  of  the  General  Assemblj' 205 

(1)  A  list  of  the  Treasurers  of  the  Assembly 205 

(2)  Treasurers  required  to  give  bond 205 

(3)  Remuneration  of  the  Treasurer 205 

(4)  Duties  of  Treasurer  in  collecting-  conting-ent  fund.  ....   206 

(5)  The  Treasurer  instructed  to  pay  bills  promptly 206 

16.  The  General  Assembly  contingent  tax 206 

17.  No  titles  to  be  printed  after  names 223 

18.  Free  entertainment  should  be  provided  for  commissioners 

only 224 

19.  Gathering-  statistics 224 

20.  A  directory  of  ministers  in  the  Church    226 

21.  A  mortuary  list  of  ministers  to  be  printed 226 

22.  Dr.  Beard's  theory  of  the  Trinity  commended 227 

23.  Dr.  Blake's  Theology  Condensed  commended 227 

24.  Deliverances  on  Sanctification    228 

25.  Attitude  of  the  General  Assembly  toward  other  Churches.    231 

(1)  The  General  Assemblj'  conducts  fraternal  correspond- 

ence    233 

(2)  The  General  Assemblj'  makes  attempts  at  organic  union  235 
{a)  With    the   General    Assembly   of    the   Presb^'terian 

Church  in  the  United  States 237 

[b)   With    the   General   Assembly    of  the  Presbyterian 

Church  in  the  United  States  of  America 253 

(r)    With  the  General  Synod  of  the  Evangelical   Luth- 
eran Church 264 

{d)  With  the  General  Conference  of  the  Methodist  Prot- 
estant Church 268 

(3)  The  General  Assembly  determines  to  enter  the  Alliance 

of  the  Reforined  Churches 276 

(4)  The  General  Assembly  and  a  Consensus  Presbyterian 

Creed 289 

(5)  The  General  Assembly  on  Co-operation 292 

(a)  In  federation 292 

{b)    In  co-operation  in  Home  Mission  work 297 

(6)  Deliverances  of  the  General  Assembly-   in  reference  to 

the  Roman  Catholic  Church 305 

26.  Attitude  of  the  General  Assembly  toward  certain  religious 

societies  and  other  organizations 310 

(1)  The  Christian  Alliance 310 

(2)  The  American  Sundaj'  School  Union 310 

(3)  The  Colonization  Society 310 

(4)  The  American  Tract  Societj' 311 

(5)  The  National  Temperance  Convention 312 

(6)  The  American  Bible  Society 312 

(7)  The  American  Bible  Union    313 

(8)  The  y.oung  Men's  Christian  Association 315 


SYLLABUS. 

(9)  The  National  Temperance  Convention 316 

(10)  The  Woman's  National  Christian  Temperance  Union.  .  316 

(11)  The  American  Sabbath  Union 317 

(12)  The  National  Reform  Association 317 

(13)  The  United  Christian  Commission 317 

(14)  The  National  Temperance  Society 317 

(15)  The  American  Anti-Saloon  Leag-ue 318 

27.  The  B ible  in  our  Schools 318 

28.  The  Day  of  Prayer  for  Colleg-es 319 

29.  The  sacraments 319 

(1)  Baptism 319 

[a)  Baptism  of  infants 320 

{h)  May  one  baptized  in  infancy  be  baptized  ag'ain  ?     .  .  321 
{c)  Presbj'teries  and  Sessions  should  enforce  the  law  in 

reference  to  baptism 321 

{d)  Roman  Catholic  baptism 321 

(2)  The  Lord's  Supper 322 

(rt)  Should  be  celebrated  at  least  once  a  quarter 322 

{b)  Pure  "  fruit  of  the  vine  "  should  be  used 323 

(c)  General  Assembly  Communion '.  .  323 

30.  Secret  and  family  worship    323 

31.  Sanctification  of  the  Lord's  Day 32+ 

(1)  How  the  Sabbath  should  be  spent 325 

(2)  Church  members'  duty 325 

(3)  Pastors  should  call  the   attention   of  the  people  to  this 

subject ; 325 

(4)  Ministers  should  set  a  g-ood  example 326 

(5)  Sunday  mails  and  Sunday  trains 326 

(6)  The  General  Assembly  was  opposed  to  openint,'-  gates  of 

Columbian  Exposition  on  the  Sabbath 327 

32.  National  disputes  should  be  settled  b_v  arbitration 327 

33.  Lotteries  condemned 328 

34.  Worldly  amusements 328 

35.  Deliverances  on  temperance 330 

36.  Resolutions  on  the  use  of  tobacco 333 

37.  Presbyterian  Historical  Society 335 

38.  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Historical  Society 336 

39.  A  man's  marrj'ing-  the  sister  of  his  deceased  wife 339 

40.  On  the  preservation  of  the  Union 339 

(1)  Political  secession 340 

(2)  Those  in  rebellion  g-uilty  of  a  g-reat  sin 342 

(3)  Deliverances  on  the  war  resolutions 343 

(4)  The  foreg-oing-  resolutions  neither  repealed  nor  approved 

those  passed  by  former  Assemblies 344 

(5)  The  last  action  on  the  war  question 344 

(6)  Assassination  of  President  Lincoln 347 

41.  African  slavery    347 


SYLLABUS.  XV 

42.  Moral  and  relig-ious  training-  of  the  colored  people 350 

43.  Establishment  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church, 

Colored 351 

(1)  Educational  facilities  for  the  Colored  Church 355 

(2)  Statistics  of  the  Colored  Church  to  be  reported  in  the 

Minutes  of  the  General  Assembly 359 

PART  v.,  JUDICIARY. 

I.  The  law  stated 361 

1.  Appeals  must  be  regularly  brought   369 

2.  An  appeal  staj's  action  until  the  hig-her  court  passes  upon  it  370 

3.  Notice  of  and  reasons  for  an  appeal  must  be  g-iven 370 

4.  Power  to  revive  an  appeal 371 

5.  New  witnesses  introduced 371 

6.  What  if  the  accused  refuse  to  appear  ? 371 

7.  Accused  called  upon  to  say  whether  he  is  g"uilty 372 

II.  The  law  applied 372 

1.  The  memorials  of  Rev.  and  Mrs.  F.  C.  Usher 372 

2.  The  memorial  of  Rev.  Harrison  Whitson 373 

3.  The  appeal  of  Mr.  Henry  Craft 373 

4.  The  appeal  of  Mrs.  Louisa  A.  Ward 375 

5.  The  appeal  of  Rev.  D.  T.  Waynick 376 

6.  The  appeal  of  Mr.  D.  E.  Wood 378 

7.  The  appeal  of  Rev.  R.  R.  Crockett 378 

8.  The  complaint  of  Rev.  E.  T.  Bowers 380 

9.  The  appeal  of  D.  T.  Waynick  and  others 382 

10.  The  complaint  of  S.  H.  Buchanan,  D.D 383 

11.  The  appeal  of  Rev.  J.  H.  Milholland 384 

12.  The  case  of  Rev.  T.  S.  Thompson 384 

13.  The  case  of  Rev.  J.  A.  Dewoody 386 

14.  The  case  of  Mrs.  E.  M.  Woosley 386 

15.  A  case  of  ordination  without  examination 386 

III.   Permanent  Judiciary  Committee 386 

PART  VI.,  AGENCIES  OF  THE  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY. 

I.  The  General  Assembly's  Board  of  Trustees 389 

II.  The  Board  of  Publication    397 

1.  The  Board  at  Louisville,  Ky 397 

(1)  Cash  SA'stem  adopted 400 

(2)  Book  depositories 400 

(3)  Collections  for  Publication 401 

(4)  Examining-  Committee 401 

(5)  Credit  System 401 

(6)  Chang-e  of  location 402 

2.  The  Board  at  Nashville,  Tenn 404 


fvi  SVLLABLIS. 

(1)  The  Board  incorporated 406 

(2)  Cash  system  adopted 408 

3.  The  Board  at  Pittsburg-,  Pa 409 

4.  The  Board  re-organized  at  Nashville,  Tenn 415 

(1)  Rev.  J.  C.  Provine,  Book  Editor  and  Publishing-  Ag-ent  415 

(2)  The  plans  of  the  Board   416 

(a)  Sabbath  School  books  needed 417 

(b)  The  colored  population  should  be  provided  for 417 

(3)  Books  published  by  contract 418 

(4)  A  number  of  depositories  established 418 

(5)  Financial  plans  recommended 419 

(6)  The  Ag-ents  of  the  Board , 419 

(a)  W.  E.  Dunaway,  Publishing-  Ag-ent 419 

(<^)  John  M.  Gaut,  Corresponding-  Secretary 423 

(c)  T.  M.  Hurst,  Ag-ent 423 

(d)  John  D.  Wilson,  Ag-ent 426 

(e)  W.  J.  Darby,  D.D.,  General  Manag-er 426 

(/)  John  M.  Gaut,  General  Manag-er 427 

(7)  Notable  enterprises  of  the  Board .- 427 

(a)  A  weekl)'  Church  paper 427 

{b)   Sabbath  School  periodicals. 442 

{c)    Books  published 444 

[d)  Quarterly  Reviews 447 

(e)  The  Publishing-  House 449 

HI.  The  Board  of  Missions 461 

1.  Early  missionary  -work. 461 

2.  The  Assembly's  Board  of  Foreign  and  Domestic  Missions 

organized 467 

(1)  The  Board  located  at  Lebanon,  Tenn 470 

(a)  Agents  emplo^'cd  to  collect  funds 470 

(b)  Board  auxiliarj'  to  the  A^nerican  Board 472 

(c)  Corresponding-  Secretaries  of  the  Board 472 

(1)  Rev.  Isaac  Shook 473 

(2)  Rev.  T.  P.  Calhoun 473 

(3)  Rev.  T.  C.  Blake 473 

(d)  Educational  means  adopted 474 

{e)  The  Home  Missionary  work  of  the  Board 475 

(/)  The  Foreign  Missionary  work  of  the  Board 478 

(2)  The  Board  located  at  Alton,  111 481 

(3)  Three  Boards  of  Missions  at  work  at  the  same  time    .  .  483 

(4)  The  Board  of  Missions  located  at  St.  Louis,  Mo 486 

{a]  Superintendents  and  Corresponding-  Secretaries.    . .  493 

(1)  Rev.  R.  S.  Reed 493 

(2)  Rev.  J.  B.  Logan,  D.D 493 

(3)  Rev.  E.  B.  Crisman,  D.D. 493 

(4)  Rev.  C.  H.  Bell,  D.D.,  and  George  E.  Patton 493 

(5)  Mr.  J.  L.  Secor 494 


SYLLABUS.  xvii 

(6)  Rev.  J.  V.  Stephens 494- 

(7)  Rev.  J.  H.  Miller 494 

(8)  Rev.  S.  Finis  King  and  Mr.  W.  J.  Brasfield 494 

(9)  Rev.  J.  W.  Laug-hlin 494 

(jb)  The  Missionarv  Record 494 

{c)  Home  Mission  work  of  the  Board 496- 

{d)  Foreig-n  Mission  work  of  the  Board 499 

(1)  On  the  Island  of  Trinidad 502 

(2)  In  Japan 504 

(3)  In  Mexico 509 

(4)  In  China 510 

IV.  Woman's  Board  of  Missions 512 

V.  The  Theological  Seminary 515 

1.  The  Board  of  Trustees  of  the  Theological  Seminary 527 

(1)  The  Board  of  Trustees  shall  consist  of  nine  members.  .   528 

(2)  Appointments  to  fill  vacancies  in  the  Board  must  be  re- 

•     ported  to  the  Assembly  for  its  confirmation 528 

(3)  The  Board  of  Trustees  report  to  the  General  Assembly  .   528 

(4)  The  Assembly  may  appoint  a  separate  Board 528 

(5)  The  Amended  Charter  of  Cumberland  University '531 

2.  The  Faculty  of  the  Theological  Seminary 533 

(1)  Rev.  Richard  Beard,  D.D.,  elected  and  confirmed 533 

(2)  Rev.  B.  W.  McDonnold  elected  and  confirmed. 534 

(3)  Rev.  S.  G.  Burney,  D.D.,  elected  and  confirmed 534 

(4)  Rev.  W.  H.  Darnall  elected  and  confirmed 534 

(5)  Rev.  R.  V.  Foster  elected  and  confirmed 534 

(6)  Rev.  J.  D.  Kirkpatrick  elected  and  confirmed 534 

(7)  Rev.  S.  T.  Anderson  elected  and  confirmed..    355 

(8)  Rev.  C.  H.  Bell,  D.D.,  elected  and  confirmed 535 

(9)  Rev.  W.  J.  Darby,  D.D.,  elected  and  confirmed 536 

(10)  Rev.  J.  M.  Hubbert,  D.D.,  elected  and  confirmed 536 

(11)  Rev.  A.  D.  Hail,  D.D.,  elected  and  confirmed 537 

\12)  Rev.  W.  P.  Bone  elected  and  confirmed 537 

(13)  Rev.  F.  K.  Farr  elected  and  confirmed 537 

(14)  Rev.  J.  V.  Stephens  elected  and  confirmed 537 

(15)  Rev.  B.  G.  Mitchell  elected,  but  not  confirmed 539 

3.  Board  of  Visitors  to  the  Theological  Seminary ■  .  .  .  541 

(1)  In  the  early  years  of  its  history 541 

(2)  Revived  at  the  suggestion  of  the  Board  of  Trustees.  . .   543 

4.  Financial  Agents 545 

5.  The  Theological  Seminary  Catalogue 547 

6.  Degree  conferred  on  a  woman 547 

7.  Presbyteries  to  use  their  authority  to  secure  the  attend- 

ance of  probationers  at  the  Seminary 548 

8.  Church  colleges  expected  to  co-operate  with  the  Seminary.  550 

9.  The  Murdock  Library 550 

10.  The  Hale  Reference  Librarv •^''51 


xviii  SYLLAIU-S. 

VI.  The  Educational  Society 552 

Rules  and  Regulations 554 

Charter  of  Incorporation 555 

Amendment  to  Charter 556 

1.  Board    employed    an   Ag-ent    to  endow  Theoloyical  Semi- 

nary   557 

2.  School    established     for     the    Cumberland     Presbyterian 

Church,  Colored 557 

3.  Progress  of  the  Board's  work • 557 

4.  Policy  changed  from  that  of  loan  to  that  of  gift 558 

5.  Re-organization — Educational  Society 558 

6.  The  Board  assisted  in  supporting  the  Faculty  of  the  Theo- 

logical Seminary 558 

7.  Educational  Society  a  channel  of  information. 560 

8.  Presbyteries  must  give  attention  to  the  education  of  their 

probationers 560 

9.  Policy  changed  back  from  that  of  gift  to  that  of  loan 562 

10.   Secretaries  and  Treasurers  of  the  Board 562 

(1)  Rev.  J.  R.  Henry , 562 

(2)  Rev.  A.  G.  Bergen 563 

(3)  Rev.  W.  J.  Darby,  D.D 564 

VII.   Board  of  Ministerial  Relief 564 

Articles  of  Incorporation 570 

Subsequent  Action 571 

Thornton  Home 572 

Corresponding  Secretaries 573 

(1)  Rev.  J.  H.  Miller 573 

(2)  Rev.  W.  J.  Darby,  D.D 574 

VIII.   Permanent  Committee  on  Sunday  Schools 574 

1.  Sunday'  school  work  directed  by  a  committee. 574 

2.  The  Sunday  school  work  directed  by  the  Board  of  Publica- 

tion     574 

3.  A    Standing    "Committee   on    Publication    and    Sabbath 

School  Work" 575 

4.  The  Board  asks  to  be  relieved  of  this  work 575 

5.  An  Advisory  Committee  appointed 575 

6.  The  Permanent  Committee  on  Sunday  Schools  established  576 

7.  A  Standing  Coinmittee  on  Sunday  Schools 578 

8.  Methods  of  prosecuting  the  work  in  the  field 578 

(1)  Children's  Day  inaugurated 578 

(2)  Presbyterial  Sunday'  School  Secretaries 579 

(3)  Co-operation  with  Synods. 579 

9.  General  Superintendents.    580 

(1)  Rev.  M.  B.  DeWitt,  D.D 581 

(2)  Rev.  J.  H.  Warren 581 

(3)  Pev.  M.  B.  DeWitt,  Superintendent  and  Sunday  School 

Editor ; 582 


SYLLABUS.  xix 

(4)  Rev.  Georg-e  O.  Bachman,  Superintendent 583 

(5)  Rev.  Taylor  Bernard,  Acting-  Superintendent   583 

IX.  Permanent  Committee  on  Christian  Endeavor 583 

X.  Permanent  Committee  on  Systematic  Beneficence 589 

Xl.  Institutions  of  Learning- 596 

1.  Charter  of  Cumberland  University" 596 

2.  Charter  of  Waynesburg-  Colleg-e 596 

3.  Charter  of  Lincoln  University 599 

4.  Charter  of  Trinitj'  University 603 

5.  Charter  of  Missouri  Valley  College 605 


PART  I. 
HISTORICAL  STATEMENTS. 

"The  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church  was  organized  in  Dick- 
son County,  Tennessee,  February  4.  A.I).,  1«10.  It  was  an  out- 
growth of  the  Great  Kevival  of  18UU,  one  of  the  most  powerful 
revivals  that  this  country  has  ever  witnessed.  The  founders  of 
the  Church  were  Finis  Ewing.  Samuel  King,  and  Samuel  M'Adow. 
Thev  were  ministers  in  the  Presbyterian  Cliurch,  who  rejected 
the  doctrine  of  election  and  reprobation  as  taught  in  the  West- 
minster Confession  of  Faith.  The  causes  wliich  led  to  the  form- 
ation of  the  Church  are  clearly  and  distinctly  set  forth  in  publi- 
cations issued  at  the  time,  and  in  various  tracts  and  books  pub- 
lished snbse(piej-itly.  To  these  the  reader  is  referred  for  full 
information  on  the  subject." — Frarn  Pi'cfuce  fo  the  Confession  of 
Fa  nil.  ISS-l. 

I.  The  Cumberland  Presbytery. 

The  hrst  Presbytery,  known  as  the  Cumberland  Presbytery,  was 
organized  by  Kev.  Samuel  ]\FAdow.  Pev.  Finis  Ewing,  and  Rev. 
Samuel  King.  It  was  not  their  ])urpose  to  originate  a  new  Church, 
but  to  form  an  independent  Presbyter}',  hoping  that  the  time 
would  speedily  come  when  this  Presbvtery  would  l)e  recognized 
by  the  mother  Church. 

The  formation  of  Cumberland  Presbytery  took  jjlace  on  Feb- 
ruary the  -tth.  1810,  at  which  time  those  particijjating  in  the 
organization  entered  into  the  following  compact: 

'Tn  Dixon  County.  State  of  Tennessee,  at  the  Pev.  Samuel 
M^\dow's,  this  4th  day  of  February.  1810,— 

"We,  Samuel  ^I'Adow,  Finis  F'wing.  and  Samuel  King,  regularly 
ordained  ministers  in  the  Presbyterian  Church,  against  whom  no 
charge,  either  of  immorality  or  heresy,  has  ever  been  exhibited 
before  any  of  the  Church  judicatures,  having  waited  in  vain  for 
more  than  four  years,  in  the  meantime  ]ietitioning  the  General 
Assembly  for  a  redress  of  grievances,  and  a  I'cstoration  of  our 
(1)" 


2  PART  /.,  HISTORICAL  STATEMENTS. 

violated  rights,  have  agreed,  aud  do  hereby  agree  and  determine, 
to  constitute  into  a  Presbytery,  known  by  tlie  name  of  the  Cuni- 
herland  Presbytery,  on  the  following  conditions: 

"All  candidates  for  the  ministry  who  may  hereafter  be  licensed 
by  this  Presbytery,  and  all  the  licentiates  or  probationers,  who  may 
liereafter  be  ordained  by  this  Presbytery,  shall  be  required,  Ijefore 
such  licensure  and  ordination,  to  receive  and  adopt  the  Confession 
and  Discipline  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  except  the  idea  of 
fatality,  which  seems  to  be  taught  under  the  mysteriotis  doctrine 
of  predestination.  It  is  to  be  understood,  however,  that  such  as 
can  clearly  receive  the  Confession  without  an  exception  sliall  nut 
-be  required  to  make  any.  Moreover,  all  licentiates,  before  they 
are  set  apart  to  the  whole  work  of  the  ministry,  or  ordained,  shall 
be  required  to  undergo  an  examination  on  English  Grammar, 
Geography,  Astronomy,  Natural  and  Moral  Philosophy,  and 
Church  History.  It  will  not  be  understood  that  examinations  on 
experimental  religion  and  theology  will  be  omitted.  The  Pres- 
bytery may  also  require  an  examination  on  all,  or  any  part,  of 
the  above  branches  of  literature,  before  licensure,  if  they  deem 
it  expedient." — From  the  Cirnilar  Leiter,  jip.  11,  1.2. 

At  the  first  regular  meeting  of  Cumberland  Presbytery,  held  in 
March.  1810,  it  was  '"ordered,  that  Messrs.  Samuel  ^NPAdow,  Finis 
Ewing,  Ephraim  IM'Lean,  James  B.  Porter,  and  Young  Ewing, 
or  a  majority  of  them,  draw  a  Circular  Letter,  as  soon  as  they 
can,  which  is  to  be  carefully  examined,  and  superintend  the  print- 
ing of  a  thousand  copies  to  be  distriljuted  under  the  direction 
of  Presbytery." — Fram  Minutes  of  Cumlierlnnd  Freslii/tery, 
March,  ISIO. 

These  men  complied  with  the  instructions  of  the  Presbytery, 
as  the  following  ''Circular  Letter"  shows: 

A  Circular  Letter. 

Addressed  to  the  t<orietxes  and  Brethren  of  the  Preshyterian 
Church,  reccntlij  under  the  care  of  the  Council  l)y  the  late  Cumber- 
land Presbytery :  in  ivhich  there  is  a  correct  statement  of  the  origin, 
progress,  and  termination  of  the  difference  between  the  Synod  of 
Kentucl-y  and  the  former  Presbytery  of  Cumberland. 

Dear  Brethren: — The  time  is  at  last  come  when  we  must  either 


THE  CUMBERLAXD  PRESBYTERY.  3 

sacriiice  our  religious  liberties  and  eonsc-ience  to  what  we  judge 
uureasouable  deiuauds,  cease  our  endeavors  to  promote  the  work 
of  God  among  you  as  we  have  hitherto  done,  or  constitute  a  Pres- 
Intery  separate  from  the  Synod  of  Kentucky.  We  choose  the 
hitter  as  the  (jnly  way  in  which  we  can  have  the  answer  of  a  good 
conscience.  We  therefore  deem  it  expedient  to  give  you  a  retro- 
spective view  of  the  cause,  together  with  the  progressive  means, 
l)y  which  matters  have  been  hrought  to  this  issue. 

A  numljer  of  you  will  easily  recollect,  that  about  the  close  of 
the  last  century,  or  beginning  of  the  present,  God,  in  a  very  re- 
markable mauiK.'r,  l^t^gan  to  revive  his  work  amongst  the  inhabitants 
of  this  western  country,  the  first  manifestations  of  which  appeared 
uude]'  the  ministerial  labors  of  the  Kev.  James  M'Gready,  in  Logan 
County.  Xi  the  first  commencement  of  this  glorious  revival,  as 
also  in  its  })rogress,  the  Ijodily  atfections  and  exercises  of  a  number 
of  those  who  were  its  subjects,  were  very  uncommon.  This  soon 
caused  a  rumor  to  go  abroad,  and  the  people  from  every  quarter 
came  out  to  see.  The  consecfuence  of  wiiich  was.  that  they  not 
only  had  their  curiosity  satisfied,  but  a  great  number  had  their 
hearts  dee])ly  allected.  This,  in  the  hand  of  God,  v;as  a  blessed 
means  of  si)reading  the  work  through  various  parts  of  our  country. 
For  a  while,  at  first,  all  the  ministers  in  our  bounds  seemed  to 
participate  in  the  glorious  effusion  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  and  corres- 
pondent to  this  proclaimed  themselves  friends  to  the  revival.  But 
alas!  it  was  soon  after  discoverable,  that  some  of  them  had  changed 
their  opinion,  otherwise  they  had  never  been  well-established. 
The  consequence  of  this  apparent  change  may  easily  be  inferred, 
notwithstanding  the  work  still  i)rogressed.  And  although  the  few 
who  remained  friends  to  the  revival  labored  in  the  work  of  the 
ministry  night  and  day,  yet  the  cries  of  the  people  for  more  preach- 
ing were  incessant,  and  those  cries  soon  l)ecame  so  general,  that 
they  were  heard  fi'om  many  ])arts  of  an  extensive  frontier.  The 
ministers,  in  return.  e(Uild  only  pity,  and  pray  for  them;  the  con- 
gregations Ijeing  so  numerous,  and  in  such  a  scattered  situation, 
that  they  could  not  l)y  any  possible  endeavor  supply  them. 

About  this  time,  a  venerable  father  in  the  ministry,  Rev.  David 
Rice,  who  was  then  a  resident  in  one  of  the  upper  counties  ot' 
Kentucky,  i.nuie  down  and  attended  a  communion  with  some  of 
our  ]irenebeis  in  a   vacant  congregation:  and  he.  having  learned 


4  PART  /.,  HISTORICAL  STATEMENTS. 

the  situation  of  our  country,  and  tlie  pressing  demand  that  there 
was  for  more  preaching,  proposed  tlie  plan  of  encouraging  such 
amongst  us  as  appeared  to  be  men  of  good  talents,  and  who  also 
discovered  a  disposition  to  exercise  their  gifts  in  a  public  way,  to 
preach  the  Gospel,  although  they  might  not  have  acquired  that 
degree  of  human  education  which  the  letter  of  discipline  requires. 
This  proposition  was  truly  pleasing  to  our  preachers,  and  indeed 
it  found  general  acceptance  among  die  people,  as  soon  as  intima- 
tions thereof  were  given.  The  consequence  was,  that  an  uncom- 
mon spirit  of  ])rayer  now  seemed  to  prevail  throughout  the  so- 
cieties, that  tlie  Great  Head  of  the  Church  would,  not  only  open 
an  effectual  door  into  the  ministry,  but  also  that  he  would  raise 
up,  qualify,  and  bring  men  into  that  sacred  office,  whose  labors 
he  would  own  and  bless.  And,  brethren,  that  God  who  never 
told  Isiatl  to  beek  liim  in  vain,  evidently  heard  and  answered  the 
prayers  of  liis  jieojile.  Some  whose  minds  had  been  previously 
impressed  with  the  duty  of  calling  sinners  to  repentance,  and  of 
bearing  public  testimony  to  the  work  of  God  and  the  religion  of 
Jesus  Christ,  and  ujion  whom  also  the  eyes  of  the  Church  for 
some  time  h;;d  lieeii  tixed  with  a  degree  of  expectation,  now  made 
their  exercise  of  mind  on  this  subject  known  to  their  fathers  in 
the  ministry.  The  prospect  was  truly  i)leasing  to  the  preachers, 
yet  they  considered  it  expedient  to  act  with  the  greatest  caution; 
for  although  the  step  about  to  be  taken  was  not  unprecedented 
in  the  Presbyterian  Church,  yet,  seeing  it  was  out  of  the  common 
track,  they  were  well  aware  that  some  of  their  brethren  in  the 
ministry  would  o])ih)so  the  measure.  However,  they  ventured  to 
encourage  three  or  four  of  the  young  men  to  pre|)are  written  dis- 
courses and  present  them  to  the  Transylvania  Presbytery  as  a 
specimen  of  tlieir  al)ilities.  They  accordingly  prepared  discourses, 
and  at  the  next  stated  session  of  said  Presbytery  their  case  was 
brought  before  that  reverend  body.  They  met  with  warm  opposi- 
tion, arising  ]irinci])ally,  however,  from  a  quarter  rather  inimical 
to  the  revival.  lUit  after  a  lengthy  Lonversation  on  the  subject, 
in  which  there  was  much  altercation,  a  majority  of  the  members 
consented  and  figreed.  that  the  young  men  might  be  permitted  to 
read  their  discourses  to  an  aged  member  alone,  who  should  make 
report  to  the  judicature.  We  believe  the  report  was  favorable. 
Tt  was  then  directed,  as  well  as  we  can  recollect,  that  those  men 


THE  CUMBERLAND  PRESBYTERY.  5 

should  prepare  oilier  discourses,  to  be  read  at  the  next  Presbytery. 
They  accordingly  pre})ared.  and  three  of  them  attended;  but  as  soon 
as  the  subject  of  their  case  was  resumed  a  warm  debate  ensued. 
At  length,  however,  a  iiiajority  of  tlie  members  agreed  to  hear 
their  discourses.  After  they  weie  i-ead.  tbe  question  was  put: 
"Shall  these  men  be  received  as  candidates  for  the  ministrs^?" 
The  vote  liein.y  taken,  one  of  the  three  was  received,  and  two  were 
rejected  by  a  majority  of  one  vote  only.  This  circumstance  much 
depressed  the  s]tirits  of  a  number  of  the  preachers,  who  were  real 
friends  to  the  revival,  and  likewise  the  congregations  generally, 
that  had  so  (.arncslly  desired  their  licensure;  Ijut  more  especially 
the  spirits  of  those  two  candidates  were  depressed.  They  were 
men  in  a  matrimonial  state,  and  could  not  consistently  with  those 
relative  duties,  l)y  which  they  were  bound  to  their  families,  go  and 
acquire  the  knowledge  of  all  those  forms  of  literature  required  in 
the  Book  of  Discipline.  Fain  would  they  have  returned  home  and 
solaced  themselves  in  the  enjoyment  of  their  domestic  comforts, 
as  private  Christians,  if  they  could  have  done  so  and  kept  a  good 
conscience;  but  this  they  could  not  do;  nor  could  they  with  clear- 
ness of  conscience  become  members  of  any  other  Christian  society 
where  the  ministerial  door  was  not  so  straight  and  difficult,  and, 
consequently,  where  they  might  have  been  at  liberty  to  exercise 
their  popular  talents  with  approbation.  Xo:  they  were  attached 
to  all  the  essential  doctrines,  and  likewise  the  disciphne,  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church.  It  was  in  this  Church  that  they  were  early 
dedicated  to  Cod  by  their  parents,  and  in  this  Church  they  first  felt 
the  power  of  the  Gospel  upon  their  hearts,  and  tasted  the  sweet- 
ness of  that  grace  which  brings  salvation  to  man.  Therefore,  in 
the  communion  of  this  Church  they  earnestly  desired  to  live 
and  die. 

F)y  this  time  a  number  of  others  who  were  generally  esteemed 
eminent  for  gifts  and  piety,  together  with  those  who  had  already 
offered  as  candidates.  I)ecame  solemnly  impressed  to  proclaim  the 
Word  of  Life  and  Salvation  to  sinners.  But  alas!  the  door  of 
admittance  seemed  to  be  shut  against  them. 

Tn  this  dark  state  of  matters,  both  the  ministers  themselves, 
and  likewise  the  candidates  who  had  already  offered,  and  others 
who  were  looking  forward  toward  the  ministrv,  together  \\\W\  all 
the  societies  in  our  bounds,  began  now,  in  good  earnest,  to  realize 


6  PART  /.,  HISTORICAL  STATEMENTS. 

the  necessity  of  crying  mightily  to  that  God  who  has  Church 
judicatures  in  his  hands,  as  well  as  the  hearts  of  individuals.  In 
the  meantime,  candidates  and  other  eminent  characters,  who  were 
assiduously  endeavoring  in  one  way  (jr  another  to  ])r()mote  the  work 
of  God.  were  encouraged  hy  their  fathers  in  the  ministry  to  con- 
tinue the  exercise  of  their  gifts  in  a  way  of  ])ublic  exhortation, 
which  several  of  them  did.  lalioring  much  till  the  next  Presbytery; 
at  which  time  several  petitions  were  })rescnted.  with  hundreds  of 
signatures,  ])raying  the  Presbytery  to  license  and  send  to  their 
relief  certain  denominated  ])ersons.  The  subject  was  again  taken 
into  consideration,  after  which  the  Presbyter}',  who  were  person- 
ally acquainted  with  those  men  embraced  in  the  petitions,  know- 
ing their  piety,  soundness  in  the  faith.  a])tness  to  teach,  etc..  and 
taking  into  view  the  situation  of  the  congregations,  and  the  extra- 
ordinary demand  for  ])reaching.  determined  to  hear  trial  sermons 
from  three  or  foui-  of  tliem  (at  the  jjresent  session),  to  be  con- 
sidered as  po})ular  discourses;  which  accordingly  were  delivered, 
and  sustained  by  a  large  majority  of  the  judicature.  And  after 
an  examination  on  various  sul)jects.  touching  the  niinisti'y,  which 
was  also  sustained,  they  were  "licensed  to  preach  the  (iospel  within 
the  bounds  of  the  Transylvania  Presbytery,  or  wherever  else,  God 
in  his  providence,  might  call  them." 

Certain  members  who  had  always  been  opposed  to  the  measure, 
entered  their  protest  against  the  proceedings  of  the  majority.  But 
the  majority  were  not  deterred  thereby  from  jmrsuing.  in  their 
official  capacity,  that  method  wliich  they  conscientiously  believed 
best  calculated  to  j)romote  the  Pedeemer's  kingdom  in  the  world. 

The  Synod,  not  long  after  this,  divided  the  Transylvania  Pres- 
bytery, and  formed  what  was  called  the  Cumberland  Presbytery, 
the  bounds  of  which  included  all  the  memljers  that  attended  the 
preceding  session  of  the  Transylvania  Presbytery.  This  act  gave 
a  decided  majority,  in  the  new  Presbytery,  to  the  promoters  of 
the  revival  and  those  who  were  friendly  to  tlie  licensure  of  the 
aforementioned  young  men.  which  majority  ever  after  continued 
and  increased  until  the  Presbytery  was  dissolved. 

The  licensing  of  these  men.  on  the  petition  of  the  congregations, 
seemed  to  be  a  means,  in  God's  hand,  of  increasing,  instead  of 
decreasing,  the  demand  for  supplies.  They  (the  preachers)  labor- 
ing both  night  and  day,  leaving  their  families  for  a  considerable 


THE  CUMBERLAND  J'RESBYTEh'Y.  7 

leugth  of  time,  preaeliing'  the  Word,  plantiug  new  societies,  and 
watering  those  tiuit  were  planted,  would  necessarily  increase  such 
demand,  if  attended  with  the  divine  influence.  And,  brethren,  we 
need  only  appeal  to  man}  of  \ou  to  witness  the  success  that 
evidently  attended  those  men's  labors.  The  feeling  and  experience 
of  your  own  hearts  are  better  evidences  to  you  on  that  subject,  than 
all  the  reasons  that  could  be  ad\anced.  Though  you  may  have 
ten  thousand  instructors,  yet  you  have  not  many  fathers  in  Christ. 

The  Presbytery,  in  pursuing  what  they  believed  to  be  their  duty, 
continued  from  time  to  time  to  license  and  ordain  such  men,  both 
learned  and  unlearned  (what  is  meant  by  unlearned  here,  is  not 
a  want  of  common  English  education),  as  they  thought  would  be 
useful  laborers  in  the  vineyard  of  the  Lord.  And,  if  the  old  maxim 
be  a  good  one,  "judge  of  causes  l)y  their  effects,''  the  Presbytery 
will  never  have  just  cause  to  regret  that  they  engaged  in,  and 
pursued,  such  measures:  foi-  it  is  an  incontestable  fact  (judging 
by  our  Lord's  rule,  hy  their  fruits  ye  sJuill  I'lioir  them),  that  there 
are  multitudes  of  Ijoth  men  and  women  wIk^  will  have  cause  to 
rejoice  eternally  that  they  ever  heard  those  uien  preach  a  crucified 
Christ. 

The  members  who  entered  their  protest  sent  a  petition  to  the 
next  session  of  Synod,  referring  them  to  the  })rotest,  "which  they 
thought  should  have  o])erated  as  an  ai)i)eal."  in  which  they  com- 
plained of  various  irregularities  in  the  Cumberland  Presbytery 
with  respect  to  the  licensure  and  ordination  of  men  to  the  min- 
istry. The  Synod  at  that  time  did  or  said  but  little  about  the 
matter;  but  at  their  succeeding  session  they  appointed  a  commis- 
sion of  Synod  to  meet  shortly  afterwards  in  the  bounds  of  the 
Cumberland  Presbytery,  at  (Jasper  Eiver.  and  directed  certain 
members  of  the  Commisison  to  cite,  jireviously  to  that  meeting, 
all  our  preachers,  licentiates,  candidates,  and  public  exhorters,* 
who  generally  met  in  obedience  to  the  citation. 

*  There  was  much  noise  about  so  manj-  exhorters  having-  been  au- 
thorized by  the  Presbytery.  The  members  thought,  with  the  Apostle, 
that  it  was  the  duty  and  privilege  of  all  Christians  to  exhort  in  .some 
manner  ;  and  the  design  they  had  in  licensing  such  as  made  applica- 
tion was  to  give  them  more  weight  among  the  people,  without  the  most 
distant  prospect  of  licensing  them  to  preach,  except  those  whose  talents 
would  have  justified  such  an  act. 


8  PART  /.,  HISTORICAL  STATEMENTS. 

We  would  observe  here,  brethren,  that  although  the  appointment 
oJ:  the  L'oumiisijion  was  (we  ho})e)  well  intended,  yet  we  believe  it 
was  unhappily  selected  as  to  a  part  of  it,  from  what  appeared  in 
the  2)roseeution  of  their  mission.  A  number  of  that  body,  how- 
ever, both  preachers  and  elders,  were  meek  and  friendly  dis^josed 
men,  who  felt,  as  brethren,  disposed  to  pursue  the  most  pacilie 
measures  (according  to  their  order  from  the  stated  Synod)  to  heal 
the  breach  that  threatened  the  Cliurch.  But,  on  the  contrary,  it 
is  notorious,  that  another  part  of  that  l)otly  were  men  of  different 
tempers;  and  it  was  an  iinlortunate  circumstance  that  those  men 
were  the  most  forward,  infiuenliiil  members. 

After  the  C'ommission  had  nicl,  and  al^o  the  accused  (who  were 
then  known  as  the  majority  of  the  t'uud)erland  Presbytery),  the 
Commission  selected,  from  the  minutes  and  other  sources,  a  num- 
ber of  irregularities,  as  chargeable  against  the  majority  of  the 
Presbytery,  all  of  wliich.  however,  were  comprised  in  the  two  fol- 
lowing particidars,  to  wit:  1st.  The  licensing  of  un!earned  men, 
or  such  as  had  not  been  examined  on  the  learned  languages,  etc.; 
2d.  That  those  men  who  wei'c  licensed,  both  !ear;ied  and  unlearned, 
were  required  to  ado[)t  the  Confession  of  Faith  only  partially,  that 
is,  as  far  as  they  believed  it  to  agree  with  the  Word  of  God. 

As  to  the  first  ground  cf  complaint,  ihe  Presbytery  not  only 
pleaded  the  exception  made  in  the  discipline  in  extraordinary  cases, 
but  also  the  exami)le  of  a  number  of  the  Presl)yteries  in  dilferent 
parts  of  the  Puited  Slates.*  They,  moreover,  apjjcaled  to  a 
higher  authority  than  either  of  the  foregoing,  wliich  was  the  New 

*  Among  the  many  instances  of  this  kind  that  might  be  mentioned 
are  the  following,  to  wit :  Mr.  Beck,  who  was  received  by  the  Presbj-- 
terj-  in  North  Carolina  ;  Mr.  Bloodworth,  by  Orange  ;  Mr.  Moore,  by 
Hanover;  Mr.  Marquis,  bj-  Redstone  ;  and  Mr.  Kemper  and  Mr.  Abell, 
by  the  Transylvania  Presbytery.  Likewise  in  Pennsylvania,  many 
years  ago,  a  poor  illiterate  man,  a  native  of  Wales,  conceiving  that  he 
had  an  internal  call  to  preach  the  Gospel,  made  his  case  known  to  the 
Presbytery.  But,  because  he  was  not  sufficiently  acquainted  with  the 
English  language  to  undergo  all  parts  of  examination  in  it,  or  in  any 
other  but  his  mother  tongue,  the  Presbytery,  therefore,  sent  for  Mr. 
Davis,  who  was  also  a  native  of  Wales,  to  conduct  the  necessary  exam- 
ination previous  to  licensure. 

In  short,  the  majority  of  the  Cumberland  Presbytery  were  of  opinion 
that  the  compilers  of   the  Confession  of  Faith  and  Discipline  of  our 


THE  CUMBERLAND  PRESnYTERY.  9 

Testament,  and  inquired  if  there  was  any  precept  or  example,  in 
that,  which  condemned  the  })ractice  of  licensing  what  they  (the 
Commission)  called  nnlearned  men  to  jn-each  the  Gospel?  It  was 
likewise  asked  if  God  could  not  as  easily  call  a  Presbyterian  to 
preach,  who  had  not  a  liberal  education,  as  he  could  a  Methodist 
or  Baptist?  a  number  of  whom  are  acknowledged  to  be  respectable 
and  useful  ministers  of  Jesus  Christ. 

As  to  the  second  point,  the  Synod  had  suggested  that  the  can- 
didates could  have  adopted  the  "Alcoran"  in  the  sanu'  manner  they 
adopted  the  Confession  of  l-^iith.  This  was  acknowledged  to  be 
literally  true,  but  not  a])plicable  in  the  case  of  the  young  men; 
for  the  Presbytery  contended  that  the  very  act  of  the  candidates' 
receiving  the  L'onfession  at  all,  was  an  evidence  that  they  esteemed 
it  above  all  other  human  creeds;  and  the  exception,  or  condition, 
in  which  they  were  indulged,  was  only  designed  to  meet  some  con- 
scientious scruples,  in  points  not  fundamental  or  essential,  particu- 
larly the  idea  of  fatality,  that  seemed  to  ?(uue  of  them  to  be  there 
taught,  under  the  high  and  mysterious  doctrine  of  predestina- 
tion. 

The  reasons  otl'ered  by  tl;e  I^resbytery.  on  those  points,  did  not 
appear  satisfactory  to  the  Commission  of  Synod;  therefore,  much 
altercation  took  place,  during  which  time,  no  doubt,  Christ  was 
wounded  in  the  house  of  liis  friends,  by  some  (perhaps)  of  both 
judicatm-es.  It  is  well  recollected,  at  any  rate,  that  the  Presbytery, 
duiing  the  debate,  Avere  often  reminded  by  certain  members  of 
the  Commission  that  they  stood  at  their  (the  Commission's)  bar! 
Indeed,  bretliren.  it  appeared  to  us  very  notorious,  that  some  of 
the  leading  mcml)ers  of  that  body  assumed  attitudes  and  an  author- 
ity which  I)ut  illy  comported  with  the  ciiaracter  of  ministers  of 
the  meek  ami  lowly  Jesus,  sent  on  a  ])acific  mission. 

Church  never  intended  that  the  rules  there  laid  down  for  examination 
and  trial  of  candidates  for  the  ministry  should  be  considered  an  infalli- 
ble standard  by  which  the  H0I3'  Ghost  must  be  limited  when  he  calls 
men  to  that  sacred  office.  Thej-  had  no  doubt  that  this  reverend  body, 
at  the  same  time  they  laid  down  those  prudential  rules,  believed  that 
the  Great  Head  of  the  Church  could,  and  actuallj-  did,  when  he  thougfht 
proper,  bring-  men  into  the  ministr3'  without  the  aid  of  those  literary 
qualifications.  And  if  g-ranted  that  he  mig-ht  in  one  instance,  why  not 
in  more  ;  )'ea,  why  not  in  manj' ?  ^VHo  will  limit  the  Holy  One  of 
Israel  ? 


10  PART  /.,   HISTORICAL  STATEMENTS. 

After  much  reasoning,  ns  well  ay  positive  assertion  on  the  suhject, 
the  Commission  demanded  of  the  Presl)ytery,  to  give  up  to  them 
all  those  men  whom  thev  had  licensed  and  ordained  for  re-examina- 
tion. Tlie  ]'resl)ytery  refused,  suggesting  the  danger  of  the  ex- 
ample, and  also  thai  such  a.  demand  was  without  precedent.  They, 
moreover,  declared  that  tliey  helieved  the  discij)line  of  the  Pres- 
byterian Chui-ch  had  deposited  the  sole  power  in  the  several  Presby- 
teries to  judge  of  the  faith  and  (pialifications  of  their  own  candi- 
dates for  the  ministry. '•= 

After  the  refusal  of  the  Presbytery,  the  JModerator  of  the  Com- 
mission jirocecdcd  t(»  adjui'c  the  young  men  to  sulmiit  to  their 
authority  and  he  i'e-e.\amined.  when  one  of  theiu  asked  liberty  for 
himself  and  brethren  to  retire  and  ask  counsel  of  (Jod,  before 
they  would  give  an  answer.  This  reasonable  re(iuest  was,  at  first, 
strongly  op()osed  by  one  or  two  leading  mendjers  of  the  Commis- 
sion! l)Ut  at  length  it  was  granted,  and  the  young  men  retired 
to  ask  counsel  of  II im  who  is  all-wise.  In  a  short  time  after  they 
retin-ned.  wlien  they  were  asked  individually  if  they  would  submit, 
they  all  (('xcej)t  one  or  two.  who  wantt'd  longer  time  to  deliberate) 
answered  in  the  negative,  for  the  following  reasons,  to  wit:  First. 
They  believed  the  Cumberland  Presbytery,  which  was  a  regular 
Chui'ch  judicature,  to  be  competent  judges  of  the  faith  and  abilities 
of  their  own  candidates.  Secondly.  That  they  themselves  had 
not  been  cbai-ged  with  heresy  and  immorality;  and  if  they  had.  the 
Presbytery  would  liave  1)een  the  proper  judicature  first  to  have 
called  them  to  an  acc(U!nt.  Xotwithstanding.  the  Commission  of 
S)^nod  proceeded  formally  to  prohil)it  all  tlie  men.  learned  and 
unlearned,  whom  the  Cumberland  Presbytery  had  licensed  ami 
ordained,  from  jireaching  the  Cospel  in  the  name  of  Presbyterians! 
and  also  cited  what  were  called  the  old  members  to  attend  the 
next  state-l  session  of  Synod,  to  be  examined  on  faith  and  to  an- 
swer for  not  having  given  np  their  young  brethren  to  be  re- 
examined. 

Hej'e.  brelhreu.  \\i-  would  ask  (knowing  that  a  numl)er  of  yon 

*  On  the  principles  of  the  Commission's  demand,  no  Presbytery 
would  know  when  there  was  an  addition  made  to  their  body  by  ordina- 
tion, inasmuch  as  the  next  Synod  mig-ht  demand  a  re-examination  of 
the  newly  ordained  minister,  judg-e  him  unqualified,  and  declare  he 
should  no  longer  preach  as  a  Presbyterian. 


THE  CUMBERLAND  PRESBYTERY.  11 

liave  been  thirty  or  forty  years  regular  members  of  the  Presby- 
terian Church)  if  evei  }ou  Icuew  au  instauce,  eillier  in  Europe  or 
America,  of  a  Synod's  undertaking  to  prohibit  preachers  [from 
exercising  tlieir  ministerial  functions]  who  had  not  l)cen  accused 
by  their  own  or  any  other  I'resbylery?  We  would  also  ask  if 
ever  you  knew  an  instance  of  any  reformed  Church  judicature's 
silencing  a  minister  or  ministers  who  had  not  been  charged  with 
heresy,  immorality,  or  even  what  our  discipline  calls  contumacy? 
This  was  certainly  the  case  with  the  young  men.  That  is,  they 
were  not  cbarged  with  either  of  the  above,  yet  tliey  were  pro- 
hibited, and  the  I'lesbytery  censured  because  they  would  not 
ackm)wledge  the  authority  by  which  it  was  done. 

Tlie  memlJer^  oi  Tresljytery  tlien  retired  to  consult  as  lo  what 
was  best  to  ))e  done  (but  not  in  a  Presbyterial  capacity),  and  after 
■deliberation  they  agreed  to  encourage  tbe  young  men  to  continue 
the  exercise  of  their  I'esjiective  functicnis.  whieb  tliey  tbemselves 
determined  to  do,  e.\cei)t  in  such  business  as  recpiired  tbe  act  of  a 
Prc-bytery. 

Some  months  after,  there  was  a  general  meeting,  or  Council, 
litld  at  Shilo,  consisting  of  the  ministers,  elders,  and  rei)resenta- 
tives  from  vacancies,  which  formerly  comjjosed  a  majority  of  Cum- 
berland Presbytery.  At  that  Council  it  was  agreed  on,  to  jjetition 
tbe  ({eneral  Assembly;  and  in  tbe  meantime  cease  our  operations 
as  a  Presbytery;  but  continue  to  meet  from  time  to  time  in  the 
cajuicity  of  a  Council,  and  promote  the  interests  of  the  Church 
as  well  as  we  eonld,  until  an  answer  could  be  obtained  from  the 
Assembly.  The  Council.  <.t  this  meeting,  unanimously  declared  it 
to  be  their  o])inion  that  the  Commission  of  Synod  had  acted  con- 
trary to  ])isci])]ine.  which  o])inion  was  corroborated  by  the  next 
Assemblv  (though  not  ofhcia.lly).  according  to  a  private  letter  from 
a  respectable  member  of  that  body,  a  part  of  which  is  as  fol- 
lows: 

"The  unhappy  diilx-rences  in  your  cpiarter,  so  immediately  suc- 
ceeding what  a  great  propoi'tion  of  the  Presbyterian  interest  in 
this  place  believed  to  be  a  great  revival  of  the  work  of  (Jod,  has 
excited  deep  concern,  and  our  General  Assembly  have  had  the 
maiter  fully  before  them.  It  appeared  to  be  the  decided  opinion 
of  the  majority  in  the  General  Assembly,  that  no  Synod  has  a 
right  to  proceed  figainst  ministers  or  individuals,  except  the  matter 


12  I'ART  /.,  HISTORICAL  STATEMENTS. 

f^liall  have  luuio  Ijuiorc  them  by  appeal  iruni  the  I'resbytery.  That 
only  a  J're'.-1)\  tery  coiild  call  its  members  to  account  for  errors  in 
doctrine  or  practice.  That  a  man  once  ordained  by  a  Pres- 
bytery is  an  oi'dained  minister  though  the  I'resbytery  may 
have  acted  improperly  in  not  rec^uiring  the  due  (.{ualilication ; 
and  that  eve:;  a  i'vesiiytery  could  not  afterwards  depose  but  for 
cause  arising  or  niatic  pul)lic  after  ordination.  That  licentiates 
are  alua\s  i]i  the  ptjwer  uf  their  rresbyleiy  to  examine  them  and 
to  with.draw  their  licersurc  at  discretion.  liut  that  a  Synod  may 
act  against  a  Presbytery  as  >;uch  by  dissolving,  dividing,  censur- 
ing:^, etc.,  con^e(jU(?ntly  that  the  dealirtgs  with  Cumberland  Pies- 
bytery  were  legal  in  dissolving  tliem  and  annexing  tbeni  to  Tran- 
sylvania, but  wholly  impr()i)ei'  in  sus})ending  ordained  ministers, 
and  still  more  imiJi'opei  was  it  for  a  Commission  of  Synod  to  do  it. 
But  though  tlie  rule  about  the  knowledge  of  languages,  in  vww  dis- 
cipline, is  iKjt  often  fully  coni])lied  with,  and  tliDiigb  the  rule  is 
not  found  in  the  Sc  iptures.  yet  it  is  so  iiu})()rtant  that,  though 
your  case  wa.-  an  inijieiious  one,  they  seemed  to  fear  you  had 
gone  too  far,  especially  in  the  lieensui'i's.  IJut  what  the  (Jeneral 
Assend)ly  hath  (:nall\  done  will  ajjpear  very  inconclusive  on  these 
points;  because  they  wished  to  avoid  offending  the  Synod  and  the 
Preshytery;  and  the  minority  in  the  Asseudjly  took  advantage  of 
this  to  malc^  the  business  end  as  much  as  ])ossible  in  such  a  maiiner 
as  not  to  be  eor.strued  against  the  ])ower  of  Synods  and  (ieneral 
Assemblies.  'J'lie  (ieneral  Assend)ly  have,  however,  (pu'stioned 
the  regularity  ol  tlu  proceedings  of  your  Synod." 

You  may  see,  brethren,  in  the  foregoing  extracts,  what  was 
the  decided  oi)inion  of  what  may  be  called  the  collected  wisdout 
of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  Pnited  States,  on  the  points 
for  which  we  contended.  And  })crhaps,  in  examining  the  list  of 
commissioners  who  composed  the  Assend)ly.  the  members  will  be 
found  to  stand  ;,s  high  for  learning,  integrity,  and  piety  as  a  sub- 
f^e(|uent  Assembly  ^\ho  differed  with  them  in  opinion.  You  will, 
moreover,  see  the  reason  why  we  were  not  profited  by  the  favorable 
opinion  of  the  A.^scmbly.  As  to  the  Assembly's  fearing  we  had 
"gone  too  far  in  the  licensures,"'  we  will  not  jiretend  to  say 
their  fears  were  altogether. without  foundation.  Xevertheless,  the- 
Preshytery  that  havi'  been  without  sin  on  this  subject  "may  cast 
the  first  stone."     That    is,   the   I'reshvterv  that  have  licenswl   as- 


THE  Cl'MBERLAND  PRESBYTERY.  13 

inanv  a?  the  ('iiiiii)crlan(l   l're?l)Vlen'  have,  and  have  licensed  no 
inipropei'  ])ei>on  to  ijieaeh  the  (iospeh* 

The  As?enil)]y  addressed  a  letter  to  the  Synod,  informing  them 
Ihat  what  they  had  done  "was  at  least  of  questionaljle  regularity," 
and  re(|uested  them  to  review  their  proceedings,  and  rectify  what 
might  have  heen  done  amiss.  The  Synod,  we  understood,  reviewed, 
hut  (-onlirmed.  all  thai  their  Commission  had  done.  The  Council, 
notwithstanding,  were  encouraged  to  forward  another  petition,  after 
which  we  were  informed  hy  a  private  letter  from  another  influential 
memher  of  the  Assenddy  that  it  would  he  most  ])roper  for  us  to 
apply  to  the  Synod  to  rescind  their  former  order,  as  it  respected 
the  Preshytery;  and  if  they  refused,  then  for  the  Council  to  ap- 
peal to  the  Assemhly.  which  "no  douht  would  redress  their  griev- 
ances.'" The  official  letter  of  that  Assemhly  not  having  come  to 
hand,  the  Council  thought  it  jjrudent  to  postjjone  doing  anything 
in  it  until  such  letter  could  he  seen.  After  it  was  seen,  a  num- 
her  of  the  mend)ers  of  Council  thought  the  ])rospect  of  a  redress 
of  grievances  not  flattering:  and  at  (he  next  Council  it  was  voted, 
hy  a  large  majority,  to  go  int<i  a  constituted  state,  and  in  that 
capacity  address  the  (ieneial  Assend)ly.  lUit  l)y  reason  of  the 
ndnority's  refusing  to  acquiesce  in  what  the  majority  h.ad  done, 
the  Council  did  not  still  constitute  a  Preshytery.  After  some  time 
some  of  those  who  were  of  the  majority  felt  willing  to  comply 
with  the  recommendation  of  the  mendjer  who  wrote  to  us  and  told 
us  to  go  up  hy  a]j])eal  fjom  the  Synod.  Init.  hefore  there  was  an 
ojtportunity  of  doing  .-o  (after  such  conclusion),  we  heard,  to  our 
astonishment,  that  the  Assenddy  had  decided  in  favor  of  the 
Synod.  This  ste])  at  once  superseded  the  necessity  of  an  appeal; 
therefore,  the  Council,  generally,  thought  it  was  now  time  to  con- 
stitute into  a  Preshytery,  and  proceed  to  husiness  again  in  that 
capacity.  But  some  of  the  mem!)ers  wished  to  make  the  last  eft'ort 
with  the  Synod,  who  now  had  the  Imsiness  in  their  own  hands 
and  the  whole  agreed,  at  the  l\idge  fleeting  House,  in  Augusi 
last,  to  propose  their  last  terms  ami  forward  them  to  the  Tran- 
sylvania Preshytery.  or  Synod,   hy  two  commissioners,  to  be  ap- 

*  The  Cumberland  Presbytery  ha.s  reason  to  thnnk  God  that  every 
man  whom  they  licensed  (except  one  individual)  continues  to  believe 
preach,  and  practice  the  Gospel  of  Chri-st. 


14  PART  I..  HISTORICAL  STATEMENTS. 

pointed  for  that  purpose,  whith  was  accord in^ly  done;  and  the 
terms,  in  substance,  were  as  follows: 

"We  the  preachers  belonging-  to  the  Council,  both  old  and  young, 
from  a  sincere  desire  to  be  in  union  with  the  general  body  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church,  are  willing  to  be  examined  on  the  tenets  of 
our  holy  religion,  by  the  Transylvania  Presbytery,  Synod,  or  a 
committee  ai)pointcd  for  that  ])urpose:  taking  along  the  idea,  how- 
ever, that  we  be  received  oi-  I'ejected  as  a  connected  body:  also 
that  all  our  ministers,  ordained  and  licentiates,  retain  their  former 
authority,  derived  from  the  Cundjerland  Pi'csbytery.  It  was,  more- 
over, understood  that  if  the  Synod  should  ie([uii-e  the  |iieachers 
to  re-adopt  the  Confession  of  Faith  it  should  be  with  the  exception 
of  fatality  only."  Our  commissioners  were  directed  to  go.  and  take 
a  cop3^  of  the  above  minute,  without  any  discretioiuiry  power  what- 
soever to  alter  the  ])ropositions  in  any  way.  And  it  was  unan- 
imously agreed  and  determined  that,  if  the  Synod  would  not 
accede  to  the  ])ropositions,  on  the  fourth  Tuesday  in  October 
ensuing  they  (the  whole  Council)  would  go  into  a  constitttted  state. 
The  commissioners  accordingly  went  to  the  Synod:  and,  after  their 
return,  informed  us  that  the  Synod  would  not  consider  our  case, 
as  a  body,  Imt  as  individuals.  Xeither  would  they  suffer  any  of 
our  preachers  to  make  the  exception  to  the  Confession  of  Faith. 
The  commissioners,  notwithstanding,  obtained  an  order  for  an 
intermediate  Presbytery  "to  be  held  at  Green  Town,  to  consider 
the  case  of  Mr.  Hodge  and  others."  Here,  brethren,  we  will  insert 
for  your  information  the  minute  of  the  last  Council,  and  also 
the  preamble  to  the  minute  of  our  first  Presbytery. 

'"['he  Council  met  at  Shilo,  agreeably  to  adjournment,  on  the 
fourth  Tuesday  in  October.  1S09.  Whereupon  ^Ir.  King  was  ap- 
pointed to  the  chair  and  Thos.  Donald.  Clei'k.  The  Council  opened 
by  prayer. 

"Enquiry  was  made  what  progress  the  commissioners  had  made 
at  the  Transylvania  Presbytery  (or  Synod)  towards  bringing  aboiit 
a  reconciliation,  and  how  those  judicatures  had  treated  the  propo- 
sitions of  the  last  Council.  Mr.  Plodge,  after  some  preliminary 
remarks  (in  which  he  suggested  that  he  thought  the  commissioners 
had  obtained  a  compliance  w^ith  the  substance  of  the  Council's 
propositions),  read  a  copy  of  a  petition  be  bad  ]iresented  to  the 
Synod  and  the  Synod's  order  on  that  petition.     After  the  matter 


THE  CUMiniRLAXl)  PRESBYTERY.  15 

was  discu.^betl,  ami  alter  ihi'  miiuiie  uf  the  last  C'uuncil  on  that 
subject  was  read,  and  oiupared  with  the  petition,  and  order  above, 
the  vote  was  taken,  wheilier  or  not  the  Synod  had  eomphed  with 
the  propositions  of  the  (.'ouneil,  whicli  was  decided  in  the  negative 
by  a  ver}'  hirge  majority.  The  vcjte  was  tlien  taken  whether  or 
not  the  C'ouncil  would  put  the  resolution  of  last  Council  into 
execution  (which  went  solemnly  lo  declare  that  unless  the  S3^nod 
acceded  to  tiieir  propositions  they  would  on  this  day  constitute 
into  a  Presbytery),  which  was  carried  in  the  athrmative  by  a  large 
nuijority,  after  which  Messrs.  ^^'illiam  ami  Samuel  Hodge,  min- 
isters, and  Thomas  Donald,  elder,  withdrew  from  the  Council, 
virtually  declaring  their  inreution  to  join  the  Transylvania  Pres- 
Ijytery.  There  being  then  only  three  ordained  ministers  jjresent, 
it  was  inquired  whether  they  were  now  ready  to  go  into  a  con- 
stituted state;  when  it  was  found  that  one  of  them  was  embarrassed 
in  his  mind.  The  Council  then  adjom-ned  and  met  again,  waiting 
the  decision  of  that  niendjer,  who  at  length  tleclared  he  could  not 
feel  fret  at  the  present  tinit  to  constitute.  The  Council  then,  to- 
gether with  all  the  licentiates  and  carididates  jiresent.  formed 
into  a  committee  and  entered  upon  a  free  conversation  on  the 
subject  before  tlieni;  when  it  was  finally  agreed  to.  that  each  or- 
dained minister,  licentiate,  elder,  and  representative  shall  continue 
in  union,  and  use  their  influence  to  keep  the  societies  in  union, 
until  the  third  Tuesday  in  ^larch  next,  and  then  meet  at  the  Eidge 
Meeting  House:  "after  which  each  one  shall  be  at  liberty  from 
this  bond,  unless  previously  to  that  time  three  ordained  ministers 
belonging  to  this  body  shall  have  constituted  a  Presbytery;  then, 
in  that  case,  the  connnittee  will  consider  the  bond  of  union  per- 
petual; which  Presbytery,  after  doing  such  business  as  they  may 
think  proper,  are  to  adjourn,  to  meet  at  the  Pidge  Meeting  House, 
the  .said  third  Tuesday  in  ^larch,  in  a  Pi'esbyterial  capacity.' 

SAittEL  King,  Chairman." 

[Note. — The  compact,  which  was  entered  into,  on  the  organi- 
zation of  the  Cundjerland  Presbytery,  was  inserted  here.  It  will 
be  found  on  p}).  1.  ">?. — d.  Y.  S.] 

Thus,  hrethren,  we  have,  in  the  integrity  id'  our  hearts,  endeav- 
ored to  give  you  as  correct  and  impartial  an  acci)unt  of  the  rise 
and  progress  of  the  cause,  oi-  causes,  that  have  brought  us  into 
our  present  situation,  as  justice  to  ourselves  and  our  best  recol- 


116  PART  I.,  HISTORICAL  STATEMENTS. 

lection  would  admit.  We  have  not  intentionally  and  unjustly  ex- 
posed or  covered  the  conduct  ot  any  man  or  judicature.  We  have 
only  aimed  at  giving  a  clear,  honest  view  of  the  matter,  tliat  you 
might  be  enabled  to  judge  for  yourselves  whether  we  liave  acted 
with  propriety  or  impropriety.  If  we  l)e  in  an  error  we  ai'e  not 
conscious  of  it. 

We  think,  brethren,  precipitancy  or  rasliness  cannut  bu  justly 
imputed  to  us  in  tbe  prescjit  case.  We  have  waited,  in  an  un- 
organized state,  for  more  than  four  years,  and  in  that  tiniu  liave 
repeatedly  prayed  the  judicatures  to  redix'ss  our  grievances;  and 
have  not  contended  for  one  privilege  Ijut  what  we  conscientiously 
believe  God's  Word  allows  us.  If  we  had  sought  or  desired  an 
occasion  to  make  a  schism  in  the  Church,  we  had  an  excellent 
pretext,  after  tlie  unprecedented  conduct  of  the  Commission  of 
Synod  towards  us.  lint  instead  of  this  we  voluntarily  suspended 
our  operations  as  a  l'resl)ytery,  and  waited  from  year  to  yeai'  {l)eing 
beset  on  every  side)  hoping  the  matter  might  be  settled  on  })rin- 
ciples  just  and  t'ljuitable.  We  said,  "heset  on  every  side."  Yes. 
Lrethien,  a  nunibcr  of  ytiu  know  that  various  sectaries  took  the 
advantage  of  our  forbearance  and  peculiar  situation  and  endeav- 
ored to  rend  oiw  nourishing  congregations.  The  swarms  of  heretics 
and  fanatics  also  who  came  down  from  the  u})per  counties  of 
Kentucky  gave  us  much  ]jer})lexity.  Yet  we  determined  through 
grace  to  slarul  linn,  and  contiuLie  to  a]i])eal  to  the  reason  and 
justice  of  the  higher  judicatures,  until  wc  were  assured  they  were 
not  disposed  to  restore  mir  rights.  This  assurance  we  have  at  length 
obtained;  and  there  w.is  no  alternative  left  us,  hut  either  to  violate 
our  solemn  vows  to  our  brethren, — act  contrary  to  our  reason 
and  conscience, — or  form  ourselves  into  a  Preshytery  separate  from 
the  Kentucky  Synod.  This  step,  at  lirst  view,  may  alarm  some 
of  you.  T)Ut  be  assured,  hrethren,  that,  although  we  are  not  now 
united  to  the  Presbyterian  Church  ])y  the  external  liond  of  dis- 
cipline, we  .feel  .is  much  union  in  heart  as  formerly,  and  wo 
would  further  asstire  you  that  we  have  not  set  up  as  a  party 
inimical  to  Ihe  general  Presbyterian  Church;  no,  we  ourselves  are 
Presbyterians  and  expect  ever  to  remain  such,  wdiether  united  to 
the  general  body  or  not. 

Permit  us.  further,  to  inform  you  what  we  do  know  to  he  an 
incontestahle  fact.     That  is.  there  are  a  number  of  ministers  who 


THE  CUMBERLAND  PRESBYTERY.  17 

are  kept  in  the  bosom  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  who  have 
deviated  iuhnitely  more  from  tlie  Confession  than  we  have  done. 
One  can  boldly  deny  the  imputation  of  Christ's  active  obedience 
to  the  sinner,  in  justilication.  and  publish  it  to  the  world;  another 
can  deny  the  operation  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  in  the  work  of  re- 
generation,* and  yet  we,  who  only  object  to  the  unqualified  idea 
of  eternal  reprobation,  cannot  be  indulged  in  that  objection! 

It  has  been  said  that  if  all  the  ministers  belonging  to  the  Council 
had  continued  together,  and  had  constituted  into  a  Presbytery, 
it  would  have  been  much  better.  Brethren,  if  individuals,  for 
reasons  best  known  to  themselves  and  their  God.  have  thought 
proper  to  change  a  position  in  which  we  thought  God  had  blessed 
them,  we  have  not  yet  felt  at  liberty  to  do  likewise.  We  have 
to  account  to  God  and  our  own  consciences,  as  to  how  we  have 
acted  in  this  matter. 

Some  have  feared  because  of  the  smallness  of  our  number. 
Brethren,  we  liave  yet  left,  in  the  bounds  of  our  Presbytery,  almost 
as  many  ministers,  exclusive  of  candidates,  as  our  blessed  Lord 
chose  to  spread  the  (ros})el  through  the  world.  And  whilst  we 
acknowledge  the  greatest  inferiority  to  those  twelve  champions  of 
the  (iospcl.  yet  we  profess  to  believe  that  neither  the  standing 
nor  reputation  of  a  people  depends  on  their  numbers.  If  this 
were  admitted,  the  Roman  Clnircli.  when  it  was  at  its  zenith  of 
superstition  and  idolatry,  would  have  been  the  most  prominent 
and  respectable  in  the  world.  But  the  Reformation  and  subsequent 
events  have  taught  us  that  was  not  the  case  with  it.  But.  not- 
withstanding, some  individuals  have  changed  their  ground;  yet,  as 
far  as  we  have  learned,  Ijut  very  few  of  the  numerous  and  re- 
spectable societies  or  congregations  have  abandoned  us;  and  many 
individuals  of  those  few  were  partly  constrained  to  do  as  they  have 
(lone  from  their  local  situation. 

Some  of  you  are  afraid  you  cannot  be  supplied  by  the  Presbytery. 
Brethren,  tlie  same  Almighty  Lord  of  the  harvest  who  heard  your 
prayers  on  that  subject  ten  years  ago,  is  willing  to  hear  again.  Is 
the  harvest  indeed  great  and  the  laborers  few?  well,  then  pray 
the  Lord  to  send  more  laborers. 

*  See  Mr.  Davis'  publication,  in  South  Carolina,  and  Mr.  Craigf- 
head's,  of  Tennessee. 


18  PART  I.,  HISTORICAL  STATEMENTS. 

Some  i'ear  lest  the  Presbytery  should  Lake  too  much  liberty  in 
licensing  and  ordaining  unlearned  men.  If  by  this  you  mean 
you  are  afraid  the  Presbytery  (in  some  instances)  will  dispense 
with  the  dead  languages,  your  fears  are  well  grounded.  But  if  you 
ai-e  afraid  we  will  license  and  ordain  men  without  a  good  English 
education,  we  hope  your  fears  are  without  foundation.*  And  while 
wc  thus  candidly  declare  our  intention  to  receive  men  as  candi- 
dates those  without,  a  knowledge  of  the  languages,  who  are  men 
of  good  talents,  and  who  appear  to  bo  evidently  called  of  God 
(believing,  as  we  do,  that  there  are  thousands  in  the  Presbyterian 
Church  of  such  description,  who  would  make  more  able  and  re- 
s])ectable,  and  more  useful  ministers  of  Jesus  Christ  than  many 
who  say  they  have  lioen  brought  \\\)  at  the  feet  of  Gamaliel),  we 
would  nevertheless  recommend  it  to  all  parents  who  have  sons 
who  promise  fair  for  the  ministr}',  to  have  them  taught  the  Greek 
language,  especially  the  Greek  Testament.  Some  of  us,  Ijrethren, 
intend  to  do  ourselves  what  we  here  recommend,  and  thereby  more 
fully  convince  you  of  our  sincerity. 

We  would  just  add,  that  we  have  it  in  view  as  a  Presbytery  to 
continue  or  make  another  proposition  to  the  Synod  of  iventucky 
or  some  other  Synod  for  a  re-union.  If  we  can  obtain  it  without 
violating  our  natural  and  scrii)tural  rights  it  will  meet  the  most 
ardent  wish  of  our  hearts.  If  we  caimot,  we  hope  to  be  enabled 
to  commit  ourselves  and  our  cause  to  Him  who  is  a.ble  to  keep  us. 
Brethren,  if  we  live  at  the  feet  of  the  Redeemer  and  feel  constant 
dependence  on  Him.  we  are  not  afraid  but  that  He  will  be  our 
God  and  director.  And  if  God  be  for  us  who  can  be  against  us? 
We  therefore  entreat  you,  brethren,  to  watch  and  be  sober. 

Cultivate  friendslii})  with  all  societies  of  Christians  who  main- 
tain the  fundamental  doctrines  of  the  Gospel,  and  whose  lives 
comport  with  their  profession.  But  avoid  the  multitude  of  de- 
ceivers who  have  gone  out  into  the  world  and  strike  at  the  root 
of  all  real  religion.  Avoid  them,  we  entreat  you,  as  you  would 
the  oj)en  enemies  of  the  Cross  of  Christ. 

Gird  on  the  whole  armour  of  God.  Fight  the  good  fight  of 
faith,  live  in  peace,  and  the  God  of  peace  shall  be  with  you.     Amen. 

Samuel  M'Adow,  Moderator. 

Test:: — Young  Paving.  CJci-k. 

*See  the  preamble  to  the  minutes  of  our  first  Presbytery. 


THE  CUMBERLAND  PRESBYTERY.  19 

"The  Ciiml)erland  Presbytei'y,  which  was  constituted  at  the 
time  of  the  organization  of  the  Church,  and  which  originally  con- 
sisted of  only  three  ministers,  was  in  three  years  sufficiently  large 
to  form  three  Presbyteries." — From  Preface  to  Confession  of  Faith, 

"Whereas,  This  Cumberland  Presbytery  have  made  every  reason- 
able effort  to  be  reunited  to  the  general  Preslfvterian  Church;  and, 
whereas,  from  the  extent  of  our  bounds,  tlie  local  situation  of  our 
members,  their  number,  etc.,  ii  is  inconvenient  to  do  business  in 
but  one  Presln-tery;  and,  whereas,  the  constitution  of  a  Synod 
would  be  desiral)]e,  and,  we  trust,  of  good  consequences  in  vai'ious 
respects,  and  particularly  as  a  tribunal  having  ap})ellant  jurisdic- 
tion, 

Besolved,  therefore,  liy  this  L'uin])erland  Presbytery,  that  a  part 
of  the  present  Cumljerland  I-'resljytery  shall  l)e,  and  are  hereby 
directed  to  constitute  a  Presl)ytery.  known  by  the  name  of  the  Elk 
Presl)ytery.  The  1)0undaries  are  as  follows,  to  wit:  Beginning 
at  the  mouth  of  Duck  River,  thence  a  due  North  course  to  the 
top  of  the  Tennessee  Pidge,  thence  eastwardly  along  the  top  of 
said  ridge  to  Cumberland  Mountain,  thence  South  to  Tennessee 
River,  thence  easterly,  southwardly,  and  westwardly  to  undefined 
boundaries;  to  be  composed  of  the  following  members,  to  wit:  the 
Rev.  Messrs.  William  j\rcGee,  Samuel  King,  James  B.  Porter, 
Robert  Bell,  and  Robert  Donnell;  to  meet  at  Mount  Carmel  meet- 
ing-house on  the  first  Tuesday  in  August  next.  Mr.  McGee  (or 
in  case  of  his  absence,  Mr.  Bell)  is  hereby  directed  to  open  Pres- 
bytery 1)y  a  sermon.  1'he  following  persons  shall  be  considered 
under  the  direction  of  said  Presbytery  (to  wit.  Elk  Presbytery): 
John  Caruahan,  James  Stewart,  and  Elisha  Price,  when  consti- 
tuted. Also  that  another  part  of  the  present  members  of  this 
Cumberland  Presbytery  shall  be,  and  are  hereby  directed  to  con- 
stitute a  Presbytery  to  be  known  by  the  name  of  Logan  Presbytery; 
to  be  composed  of  the  following  members,  to  wit:  the  Rev.  Messrs. 
Finis  Ewing,  William  Harris,  Alexander  Chapman,  and  William 
Barnett;  to  meet  on  the  fifth  Tuesday  in  August  next  at  Red 
River  meeting-house,  Logan  County,  Kentucky,  the  Presbytery  to 
be  opened  by  a  sermon  to  be  delivered  by  Mr.  Finis  Ewing,  or 
Mr.  Harris,  in  the  case  of  his  absence.  The  following  persons 
shall  be  considered  under  the  direction  of  said  Logan  Presbvterv, 


20  PART  /.,  HISTORICAL  STATEMENTS. 

when  constituted,  to  wit:  Philip  McDaniel,  ilobert  JMcCorkle, 
Green  P.  Eice,  John  Barnett,  and  Daniel  Boe;  the  boundaries  of 
said  Presbytery  to  be  as  follows:  Beginning  at  the  mouth  of 
Duck  Eiver,  thence  a  direct  line  to  Cumberland  River,  so  as  to 
include  the  settlements  of  Yellow  Creek,  thence  uji  Cumberland 
Eiver  to  the  mouth  of  Half-Pone  Creek,  thence  a  direct  course  to 
the  Kentucky  State  line,  where  the  old  Kentucky  road  crosses 
said  line,  yet  so  as  to  leave  Karr's  Creek  society  in  the  bounds 
of  said  Presbytery,  leaving  out  what  is  called  the  Eidge  society; 
i hence  eastwardly  to  undefined  boundaries  (it  is  understood,  how- 
over,  that  the  counties  of  Cumberland  and  Wayne,  in  Kentucky, 
are  not  to  Ije  ecuisidered  in  the  bounds  of  said  Presbytery),  thence 
*north\vaid  and  westward  to  undefined  boundaries  from  each  point. 
It  is  expressly  understood,  however,  that  lines  striking  off  from 
said  bounds  of  said  Logan  Presbytery  are  to  include  William  and 
John  I>anieti  and  Phili])  McDaniel.  }et  not  so  as  to  include  any 
society  in  the  Cumberland  Presbytery,  or  territory  to  form  one  on, 
and  it  is  hereby  understood  that  all  [he  congregations,  etc.,  within 
the  natural  or  prescribed  boundaries  of  either  of  the  Presbyteries 
shall  be  considered  under  the  care  of  their  respective  Presby- 
teries: and  it  is  hereby  expressly  directed  and  mutually  agreed  to, 
that  said  J'-lk  anil  Logan  Presbyteries  meet  this  Presl^ytery  with 
their  documents,  on  the  first  Wednesday  in  October,  at  the  Beech 
meeting-house,  in  Sumner  County,  and  State  of  Tennessee,  for  the 
express  purpose  of  constituting  a  Synod;  and  it  is  hereby  directed 
that  the  committee  appointed  to  draw  up  a  complete,  though  suc- 
cinct, aceoiint  of  tbe  rise,  doctrines,  etc.,  of  the  Cumberland  Pres- 
bytery, make  their  report  to  the  Synod  when  constituted,  and  it 
is  here1)y  ordered  that  Messrs.  Bell,  Kirkpatrick,  and  Ewing  divide 
in  three  equal  jjai'ts.  as  near  as  may  be,  all  the  books  and  money 
belonging  to  the  ("umberland  Presbytery  Library,  and  allot  to 
this  Cumberland  Presbytery  one  jiart,  to  the  members  intended 
to  compose  the  Elk  Presbytery  one  part,  and  to  the  membei^  in- 
tended to  compose  the  Logan  Presbytery  the  other  part,  to  be 
disposed  of  in  their  several  Presbyteries  according  to  the  institu- 
tion of  the  li})rary.*' — From  Minulcs  of  Cumberland  Presbytery, 
April,  1813. 


THE  CUMBERLAND  SYNOD.  21 


II.  The  Cumberland  Synod. 

"These  Presbyteries,  in  October.  A.D.  1813,  met  iu  the  Beech 
Churcli,  iu  Sumner  County,  Tennessee,  and  constituted  a  Synod.'"' 
— From  Preface  to  Confensum  of  Faith,  1S8S. 

At  these  sessions  of  Synod,  tlie  brief  view  of  the  doctrines  and 
discipline,  etc.,  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,  in  Wood- 
ward's edition  of  Buck's  Theological  Dictionary,  was  unanimously 
aj)proved  of,  and  directed  to  be  published  in  that  work,  and  reads 
as  follows: 

DocTPtiNES. — It  has  been  already  observed,  that  the  Presbyterian 
Confession  is  their  [Cumberland  Pn  sljyterians']  Confession,  ^'except 
the  idea  of  fatality."  But  as  some  may  think  this  too  indefinite, 
it  may  be  })roper  here  to  state  explicitly  all  the  essential  doctrines 
or  tenets  they  hold. 

1st.  That  Adam  was  made  upright,  pure,  aaid  free;  that  he  was 
necessarily  under  the  moral  law  which  binds  all  intelligeuces;  and 
having  transgiessed  it.  he  was  consequently,  with  all  his  posterity, 
exposed  to  eternal  punishment  and  misery. 

2d.  That  Christ,  the  second  Adam,  represented  just  as  many  as 
the  first,  consequently  made  an  atonement  for  all;  which  will  be 
testified  in  due  time.  But  that  the  benefit  of  that  atonement 
will  be  received  only  by  the  true  believer. 

3d.  That  all  Adam's  family  are  totally  depraved,  conceived  in 
sin;  going  astray  from  the  womb,  and  all  children  of  wrath,  there- 
fore must  Ije  liorn  again,  justified  and  sanctified,  or  they  never 
can  enter  into  the  kingdom  of  Cod. 

4th.  That  justification  is  by  faith  aluno  as  the  instrument;  by 
the  merits  of  Christ's  active  and  passive  obedience,  as  the  meritori- 
ous cause;  and  by  the  o])eratioii  of  God's  Spirit  as  the  efficient,  or 
active  cause. 

5th.  Tliat  a?  the  sinner  is  justified  on  the  account  of  Christ's 
righteousness,  being  imputed  or  accounted  to  him;  on  the  same 
account  he  will  be  enaljled  to  go  on  from  one  degree  of  grace  to 
another,  in  a  progressive  life  of  sanctification,  until  he  is  fit  to  be 
gathered  to  the  garner  of  God,  who  will  certainly  take  to  glory 
every  man  who  is  really  justified;  tliat  is,  he,  Christ,  has  ])ecome 


22  PART  /.,  HISTORICAL  STATEMENTS. 

wisdom  (light  to  convince),  righteousness  (to  justify),  sanctification 
(to  cleanse),  and  redeni})tion  (to  glorify),  to  every  truly  regen- 
erated soul. 

<3th.  That  there  are  three  ])ersuns  in  one  God.  coe([ual,  essential, 
and  eternal;  or  the  Father,  Word,  and  Holy  Ghost:  that  the  Medi- 
ator is  very  God  and  very  man;  two  distinct  natures  in  the  same 
person:  therefore,  while  the  humanity  oheys  and  suffers,  there  is 
infinite  worth  or  mei'it  given  to  tliat  obedience  and  suifering,  by 
the  union  of  the  diviriily. 

They  dissent  from  tlie  Confession — in.  1st.  That  there  are  no 
eternal  reprobates.  2d.  Tbat  Christ  died,  not  for  a  part  only, 
but  for  atl  mankind.  'M\.  That  all  infants,  dying  in  infancy,  are 
saved  through  Christ  (\nd  sanctification  of  the  8})irit.  4tli.  That 
the  Spirit  of  (iod  operates  on  the  icnrld,  or  as  co-extensively  as 
Christ  has  nu)de  the  atonement,  in  such  a  manner  as  to  leave  all 
men  inexcusable. 

As  to  the  doctrines  of  piedestinalion  and  election,  they  tiiink 
(with  numy  eminent  and  modest  divines  \vho  have  written  on  the 
subject)  they  are  mysterious,  they  are  not  well  pleased  with  the 
application  that  rigid  Calvinists  or  Arminians  make  of  them.  They 
think  the  truth,  of  that,  as  well  as  many  other  points  in  divinity, 
lies  between  the  o])}>osite  extremes.  They  are  confident,  however, 
that  those  doctrines  should  not,  on  the  one  Land,  be  so  construed 
as  to  make  anything  the  creature  has  done,  or  cai}  do,  at  all  meri- 
torious in  his  .salvation;  or  to  lay  any  ground  to  say,  well  done  I; 
or  to  take  the  least  degree  of  the  honor  of  onr  justification  and 
perseverance  from  God"s  unmerited  grace  and  Christ's  pure  right- 
eousness. On  the  other  hand,  they  are  ecpially  confident  those  doc- 
trines should  not  be  so  construed  as  to  make  God  the  author  of 
sin,  directly  or  indirectly;  either  of  Adam's  sin,  or  any  subse- 
quent sin  of  his  fallen  race;  or  to  contradict  the  express  and 
repeated  declarations  of  God's  AVord.  on  the  extent  of  the  atone- 
ment and  operations  of  the  Spirit;  or  to  contradict  the  sincerity 
of  God's  expostulations  with  sinners,  and  make  his  oath  to  have 
no  meaning,  when  he  swears  he  has  no  pleasure  in  their  death; 
or  to  resolve  the  whole  character  of  the  Deity  into  his  sovereignty, 
without  a  due  regard  to  all  other  of  his  adorable  attributes. 
Finally,  they  think  those  doctrines  ought  to  be  thought  and  spoken 
of  in  a  consistencv  with  God's  moral  government,  which   alwavs 


THE  CUMBERLAND  SYNOD.  23 

has  for  its  object  the  haj^piness^  of  liis  intelHgent  creatures,  wlien 
it  consist?  with  his  justice  and  the  lionor  of  the  divine  tliruue. 

DisciTLiXK. — Tb.eir  disei])]ine  is  Presln'terian.  Tlieir  congre- 
gations are  governed  by  church  Sessions  and  Presbyteries,  and 
they  now  have  appointed  to  constitute  a  Synod  to  be  called  the 
Cumberland  Synod.  They  are  tenacious  of  tlie  Presbyterian  form 
of  Church  government;  because  they  believe  it  to  be  equitalde.  just, 
and  scriptural:  and  because  it  tends  to  clierisli  in  their  minds, 
and  the  minds  of  their  congregations,  a  love  of  eivil  as  well  as 
religious  liberty;  its  ])elng  so  congenial  to  the  republican  form  of 
government  estaldished  in  these  I'nited  States;  which  stands  eqiu^lly 
aloof  from  monarchy  and  anarchy. 

On  the  subject  of  their  deviation  from  the  old  rule  with  respect 
to  literary  qualitieation  for  the  niinist]-y.  they  would  not  he  un- 
derstood as  undervaluing  that  ])recious  handmaid  to  the  useful 
work  of  a  Gospel  minister.  They  have  in  two  ])ublications,  called 
A  Circular  Letter,  and  A  Eeply.  given  altundant  evidence  of  their 
anxiety  to  acquire  and  ])romote  useful  ivuowledge,  by  recommend- 
ing the  study  of  the  Greek  Scriptures,  and  l)y  their  exertions  to 
procure  a  circulating  librai-y  of  theological,  historical,  and  scien- 
tific books,  which  they  are  increasing  from  time  to  time;  notwith- 
standing, they  are  persiuided  that  God  has  and  does  call  many  to 
preach  the  Gospel  who  have  no  knowledge  of  the  original  lan- 
guages, and  who  have  been  and  ai'e  eminently  useful  in  their  pro- 
fession. They  have  therefore  dispensed  with  that  condition,  as 
not  being  absolutely  necessary;  yet  they  recommend  it,  when  it 
can  conveniently  Ite  aL(|uired.  l'"rom  ])ursuing  this  course  they 
have,  as  might  he  expected,  some  learned  and  some  less  learned 
preachers  of  the  everlasting  Gospel;  the  latter  of  whom  appear  in 
many  instances  to  be  as  useful  in  promoting  the  work  of  God  as 
the  former." — Fmm  Bev.  James  !<iiiit]i's  Jlisfnri/,  pp.  04-j.  6'.J<S'. 

CONFESSION  OF  FArrii. 

''At  this  same  meeting  of  Synod,  too.  a  connnittee  was  a])- 
pointed  to  prepare  a  Confession  of  Faith.  The  next  year,  A.D., 
181-1,  at  Sugg's  Creek  Church,  Wilson  County.  Tennessee,  the  re- 
port of  the  Committee  was  presented  to  Synod,  and  the  revision 
of  the  Westminster   Confession  of  Faith,   which  they   jiresented, 


24  PART  I.,  HISTORICAL  STATEMENTS. 

was  unanimously  ;i(]o])tef1  a?  tlic  Confession  of  Faith  of  the  Cnm- 
herland  PreshA'teiian  ("bnrcli." — From  Preface  to  Confession  of 
Faith,  1883. 

Follo\\ing  is  tlie  preface  to  tlie  Confession  of  Faitli  adopted  Ijy 
the  Synod  in  1814: 

"The  Synod,  in  the  execution  of  the  following  work,  have  only 
exercised  a  right  which  they  think  every  associaticni,  or  hody  of 
Christians,  is  entitled  to  hy  the  Creat  Head  of  tlie  Chnrch,  as  well 
as  by  the  laws  of  the  land.  If  the  reader  wishes  to  know  the 
occurrences  that  gave  rise  to  this  state  of  things  he  is  referred  to 
the  Cirrvlar  Letter  [inserted  above]  of  the  late  Cujnberland  Pres- 
bytery; to  a  Series  of  Letters  commonly  called  A  lie  ply  to  a  Pas- 
toral Letter  of  West  Tennessee  Presl^ytery;  and  to  Buck's  The- 
ological Dictionary,  third  edition,  under  the  letter  P.  printed  in 
Philadelphia.  It  will  be  seen  that  the  Synod  have  followed  the 
I)lan  of  the  Westminster  Divines,  in  their  Confession,  Shorter  Cate- 
chism, and  Directory.  Li  the  Discipline  they  have  necessarily  made 
some  considerable  alterations:  not  in  the  general  plan  of  Church 
government  (which  they  deem  the  best  extant),  but  in  the  literary 
qualifications,  etc. 

"AVith  respect  to  the  Confession,  it  will  be  seen  the  Synod  have 
adopted  many  whole  chapters  of  the  old,  almost  rerhatim:  in 
others  they  have  retained  part  and  expunged  part;  sometimes 
adding  a  section,  or  part  of  a  section,  to  make  the  sense  more  full 
and  more  compatible  with  their  ideas  of  the  Gospel.  They  have 
endeavored  to  erase  from  the  old  Confession  the  idea  of  fatality 
only,  which  has  long  since  a{)])eared  to  them  to  be  taught  in  part 
of  that  book.  But,  notwithstanding,  tlic  Synod  have  ventured 
to  model,  to  ex]uuige.  and  to  add  to  the  Confession  it'  the  Genera! 
Presbyterian  Church,  yet  they  are  free  to  declare  that  they  think 
that  to  be,  in  the  main,  an  admirable  work,  especially  to  have 
been  framed  so  shortly  after  Poman  superstition  and  idolatry  had 
almost  covered  the  whole  Christian  world.  The  Synod  feel  the 
greatest  veneration  for  the  compilers  of  that  work;  yet  they  think, 
with  those  estimable  men,  that  'all  Synods  or  Councils  may  err, 
and  many  have  erred,'  therefore  they  think  it  not  presumptuous, 
nor  arrogant,  to  ado])t  what  they  think  right,  and  expunge  what 
they  think  erroneous,  from  any  hunuin  creed.  In  conformity  to 
this  principle,  they  wish  this  work  to  be  examined:  that  is.  let 


77/ A"  CEXlih'AL  ASSEMBLY.  25 

it  be  tried,  not  by  foniier  Confessions,  but  by  the  infallible  Word 
of  Trutb.  Jt  it  si)eak  not  according  to  the  Bible,  let  it  be  rejected; 
but  if  it  does,  let  it  not  be  cond-emned  because  it  does  not  agree 
with  (iTl  the  Fathers. 

''The  Synod  have  been  prompted  by  a  desire  to  do  good  in 
presenting  tbis  Confession  and  Discipline  to  the  churches  under 
their  care,  and  to  the  world.  If  it  should  be  a  means,  in  God's  hand, 
of  j)romoting  the  kingdom  of  tlie  Eedeemer.  it  will  meet  the  highest 
object  the  Synod  had  in  view." 

III.   The  General  Assembly. 

"Subsequent]}'  the  formation  of  the  General  Assembly  took 
place.  This  judicature,  at  its  first  meeting,  A.D.,  1829,  at  Prince- 
ton, Kentucky,  made  such  changes  in  the  Form  of  Government 
as  were  demanded  by  the  formation  of  this  new  court." — From 
Preface  lo  Coiifcst>iuii  nf  Faiili.  1S8S. 

ctiaxc;ks  IX  the  foe^i  of  (JOVFRNMEXT. 

Resolred,  That  Henry  F.  Delany,  F.  li.  Cossitt,  Hirain  A.  Hunter, 
and  Eichard  I>eard  be  ap})ointed  a  committee  to  revise  and  pre- 
pare for  publicaticm  those  parts  of  the  Form  of  Government  of  the 
Cumberland  Presbyterian  C*hurch  which  require  alteration  in 
order  to  ada])t  them  to  the  constitution  of  a  General  Assembly. 
— MSS.  Minutes.  18'?9.  p.  14. 

COXFFSSION  OF  FAITH  EEAISEI). 

"In  comjiiling  the  Confession  of  Faith,  the  fathers  of  the  Cum- 
berland Presbytei'ian  Church  had  one  leading  thought  before 
them,  and  that  was  so  to  modify  the  Westminster  Confession  as 
to  eliminate  therefrom  the  doctrine  of  universal  foreordination  and 
its  legitimate  sequences,  unconditional  election  and  reprobation, 
limited  atonement,  and  divine  influence  corresjiondingly  circum- 
scribed. All  the  boldly-defined  statements  of  the  doctrine  objected 
to  were  expunged,  and  corrected  siatements  were  made.  But  it 
was  impossible  to  eliminate  all  the  features  of  hyper-Calvinism 
from  the  Westminster  Confession  of  Faith  by  sini{)ly  expunging 


26  PART  I.,  HISTORICAL  STATEMENTS. 

words,  phrases,  sentences,  or  even  sections,  and  then  attempting 
to  till  the  vacancies  thns  made  bv  corrected  statements  or  other 
declarations,  for  the  obJectional)lc  (h:)ctrine,  with  its  logical 
sequences.  ]iervaded  the  whole  system  of  theology  formulated  in 
that  l)Ook. 

'"Tlu'  compilers  knew  this,  and  they  also  knew  that  a  book 
liius  made  must  necessarily  have  some  defects.  Still,  they  felt 
assured  that  they  had  prepared  one  which  could  not  be  fairly  and 
logically  inter[)reted  without  ci/utradicting  the  most  objectionable 
featuies  of  hy})er-C'alvinism;  and  they  felt,  too,  that  they  had 
formulated  a  system  of  doctrines  which  any  candid  iiupiirer  after 
truth  might  understand.  They  did  not,  however,  claim  that  the 
time  would  never  come  when  there  might  be  a  demand  for  a 
restatement  of  these  doctrines,  which  would  set  forth  more  clearly 
and  logically  the  system  of  theology  believed  and  taught  by  the 
Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church.  That  time  did  come,  and  so 
general  was  the  desire  throughout  the  Church  to  have  the  Con- 
fession of  Faith  revised,  that,  at  the  General  Assembly  which 
convened  in  the  city  of  Austin,  Texas,  A.D..  1881,  a  paper  was 
introduced  looking  to  that  end,  and  it  was  adopted  by  a  unanimous 
vote. 

"In  view  of  the  great  importance  of  the  work,  two  Committees 
were  api)ointed.  and  it  was  made  the  duty  of  the  First  Committee 
to  revise  the  Confession  of  F'aith  and  Governtnent,  and  of  the 
Second  to  review  and  revise  the  work  of  the  First.  The  Com- 
mittees met  at  Tx'banon,  Tennessee,  the  seat  of  Cumberland  Cni- 
versity.  \\here  every  facility  could  be  enjoyed  for  such  labors,  hav- 
ing free  access  to  a  line  tlieological  liljrary.  After  bestowing  great 
labor  u])on  their  work,  giving  every  item  earnest  and  prayei'ftd 
attention,  the  Committees  completed  the  tasks  assigned  them, 
ai.d  the  results  of  their  labors  were  published  in  pamjihlet  form 
and  in  weekly  papers  of  tlie  Church  for  information,  'that  criticism 
might  be  made  bv  those  desiring  to  do  so.'  The  Committees,  after 
receiving  these  criticisms,  again  niet,  and  remained  in  session  for 
a  number  of  days,  giving  careful  and  prayerful  consideration  to 
all  the  suggestions  made.  They  then  com]»leted  their  work  with- 
out a  single  dissent,  and  submitted  the  result  to  the  General  As- 
sembly, which  convened  in  the  city  of  TTuntsville.  Alabama,  A.D.. 
1882."— 7^ro^»    Vrvjnrc  to   Covfc^sinn   of  Fnilh.    ISS-l 


THE  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY.  27 

Accompanying  the  copy  ol'  the  prupu.<ed  revision,  the  two  Com- 
mittees made  the  following  report: 
To  the  General  Asseniblij  of  llu    Cunibeiiaiul  Piesbijltrian   Church, 

to  Convene  at  Iluntsville,  Alabama,  May,  18S2. 

Eevekexd  and  Deak  Ijeethken: — The  Committees  appointed 
by  the  last  General  Assembly  to  revise  the  Confession  of  1-aitii 
and  F.orm  of  Governnient  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Chnrcli 
respectfnlly  sulnnit  the  following  report: 

The  First  Committee  met  in  Lebanon,  Tennessee,  on  Xovember 
18,  1881 — all  the  membeis  l)eing  present — and  continued  its  labors 
nntil  the  evening  of  the  24tb.  holding  three  sessions  daily.  Sunday 
excepted. 

The  Second  Committee  convened  November  25,  1881,  at  the 
sajue  i)lace — ^finisters  C.  H.  Bell,  \V.  J.  Darby,  and  Euling  Elder 
ik.  L.  Caruthers.  l)eing  present — and  continued  its  labors  one  week, 
holding  three  sessions  daily,  Simday  excepted. 

After  tliis  meeting  the  work  of  the  Committees  was  printed  in 
pamphlet  form  and  distributed  for  information,  that  suggestions 
might  be  made  l)y  those  desiring  to  do  so. 

The  Committees  met  again  ^lay  lo,  1882,  and  continued  in 
session  until  the  evening  of  the  18th.  Present — ^Ministers  C.  11. 
Bell,  J.  AV.  Poindexter.  W.  J.  Darby,  S.  G.  Burney.  A.  Temjjleton. 
and  Ruling  Kkli'r  John  Frizzell.  During  this  meeting  all  the 
suggestions  made,  and  they  were  lunnerous,  received  careful  con- 
sideration, and  we  now  submit  the  rtsidt  of  our  deliberations. 

By  request,  the  First  Committee  v.as  ]u-esent  with  the  Second 
at  its  meetings,  and  partici])atod  in  its  deliberations. 

The  discussions  were  full  and  free,  evincing  a  wonderful  har- 
mony of  opinion.  Some  })references  as  to  verbal  form  had,  of 
course,  to  be  surrendered.  This,  however,  was  always  done  in  the 
true  spirit  of  compromise,  and  in  no  instance  was  there  a  negative 
vole. 

^lindful  of  the  fact  that  the  Committees  were  appointed,  not 
to  make  a  new  Confession,  but  to  revise  the  old  one.  we  have 
studied  not  to  transcend  our  authority,  and  we  have  no  hesitation 
in  saying  that  we  have  not  changed  a  single  doctrine  fundamental 
to  your  scheme  of  theology,  or  any  of  its  logical  correlates. 

"We  have  attempted  to  draw  with  ]irecision  the  l)oundaries  be- 
tween vour  theolosical  scheme  and  those  of  other  Churches,  and 


28  J'ART  /.,  HISTORICAL  STATEMENTS. 

then  to  allow  the  utmost  liberty  of  opinion  within  those  bounds. 
Hence',  we  have  not  sought  to  put  into  this  revision  tenets  pecuhar 
to  any  man,  but  only  such  as  are  common  to  ail,  and  we  think 
we  have  so  far  succeeded  in  this  endeavor  as  that  every  intelligent 
Cumberland  Presbyterian  can  cheerfully  subscribe  to  all  that  is 
set  forth  in  the  revision. 

Of  course,  if  individuals  should  insist  upon  having  their  pecu- 
liar opinions  on  matters  of  secondary  importance  made  the  stand- 
ard of  orthodoxy,  they  may,  easily  enough,  iind  ground  of  objec- 
tion. But  any  revision  that  goes  largely  into  detail  on  trivial 
matters  could  not  and  should  not  meet  with  general  favor. 

UKASONS  V\)\\  liKVlSlON. 

We  deem  it  not  improper  to  indicate  some  of  the  reasons  which 
render  revision  proper  and  desirable: 

1.  LiTJLPiA'jrRE. — Our  Confession  is  little  more  than  an  expur- 
gated edition  of  the  Westminster  Confession,  which  was  written 
nearly  two  hundred  and  forty  years  ago,  a  period  of  time  suffi- 
ciently long  to  ])roduce  important  changes  in  any  living  language, 
especially  of  an  enterprising  and  literary  j)eople.  It  is  not,  there- 
fore, strange  that  some  words  in  our  Book  are  obsolete,  or  nearly 
so;  that  others  have  varied  their  meaning,  more  or  less,  and  thus 
become  sources  (it  obscurity.  Solecisms  in  grammar,  redundancies 
in  words,  and  tautologies  in  both  words  and  ideas,  largely  abound. 
These  are  patent  to  the  ordinar}'  reader.  They  are  not  vital  defects, 
yet  they  are  of  suthcient  importance  to  render  revision  desirable. 

2.  Modes  of  ExiTvESSIOK. — Many  })hrases  and  forms  of  verbal 
combination,  which  were  intelligible  two  hundred  and  fifty  years 
ago,  are  not  so  now.  Our  book  abounds  with  such  expressions, 
e.  g..  The  grace  of  faith.  What  does  this  meany  \^  grace  one 
thing  and  faitli  another,  or  are  grace  and  faith  the  same  thing? 
Perhaps  ninety  out  a  hundred  would  understand  them  to  mean 
different  things,  and  would  be  quite  surprised  when  told  they  mean 
the  same  thing.  Do  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  pulpit  and 
press  ordinarily,  or  even  rarely,  use  these  words  in  such  combina- 
tion? Does  the  ]')ible  ever  so  use  them?  The  expression  is  not 
only  misleading,  but  eonfonnds  things  in  some  respects  essentially 
distinct,  and  hence  leads  to  en  or. 


THE  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY.  29 

Other  examples  involving  still  greater  obscurity  are  numerons. 
Note  the  following:  natural  liberty,  Ireedom  and  power  to  will, 
ability  of  will,  he  doth  not  perfectly  will,  renewing  their  wills. 
Now  these  expressions  cannot  be  construed  in  intelligible  thought 
in  the  light  of  our  modern  psychology.  They  are  unintelligible 
to  everybody  unless  they  are  studied  in  the  light  of  the  old  psychol- 
ogy which  confounded  the  sensibilities  and  the  will,  and  is  the 
stronghold  of  philosophical  necessity,  and  of  atheism  as  well. 
These  exi)ressions  to  the  modern  reader  are  quite  without  mean- 
ing, but  when  taken  in  the  sense  intended  by  their  authors,  con- 
tain the  very  essence  of  fatality,  and  do,  of  themselves,  subject  us 
to  the  charge  of  holding  to  contradictory  doctrines,  namely,  that 
of  freedom  and  that  of  necessity.  Other  examples  of  a  similar 
ehaxacter  might.  l)ut  need  not,  be  given. 

3.  DiscEEPAXCY  OF  DocTRTNAL  STATEMENTS. — The  great  cen- 
tral doctrine  of  the  Westminster  Confession  is  that  of  universal 
foreordination.  The  logical  cognates  are  unconditional  election 
and  reprobation,  limited  atonement,  and  a  corresponding  limita- 
tion of  Divine  inliuence.  The  compilers  of  our  Confession  were 
not  in  a  condition  to  do  much  more  than  expunge  the  more  boldly 
defined  statements  of  distinctive  Westminsterism,  and  to  make 
counter-statements.  This  is  no  matter  of  surprise,  for  it  is  simply 
impossible  to  eliminate  distinctive  Caivinism  from  the  old  Con- 
fession by  merely  expunging  here  and  there  a  word,  or  clause,  or 
sentence,  or  a  section,  and  tben  attempt  to  fill  the  gap  with  a 
counter-statement,  for  the  evil  is  not  here  or  there  but  every- 
where. Hence,  the  doctrinal  statements  require  to  be  largely  re- 
written. No  one  doubts  that  our  compilers  did  intend  to  deny 
imiversal  foreordination.,  unconditional  election  and  reprobation, 
Jijnited  atonement,  and  the  partial  influence  of  the  Holy  Spirit. 
Our  pulpit  and  jiress  have  faithfully  and  prominently,  from  first 
to  last,  reflected  this  intention  of  the  compilers.  Traces  of  West- 
ministerism  are  discoverable  in  many  parts  of  our  Confession, 
notalily  in  chapter  v..  sections  3  ai'd  -i;  chapter  viii..  section  1. 
nie  last  cited  section  is  a  slight  modification  of  the  old  Confes- 
sion, but,  when  analyzed,  teaches  limitarianism  nearly  or  quite 
as  strongly  as  does  the  old. 

('ha})ter  ix.  gives  the  philosophy  of  universal  foreordination,  in 
every  essential  respect,  just  as  the  Westminster  Confession,  which. 


30  PART  1.,  HISTORICAL  STATEMENTS. 

as  I'ormerly  staled,  is  the  pliilusuphy  of  necessity.  Tlie  same 
])hilosu|jliy  pervades  t.luqjter  x.  Ciiapter  xi.,  sectious  3  and  4, 
teach,  by  necessary  iuterenee,  a  limited  atonement. 

It  is,  hence,  very  apparent  that  while  our  compilers  fully  in- 
tended to  eliminate  all  limitarian  doctrine,  they,  nevertheless,  did 
retain  many  things  inconsistent  wiili  this  intention. 

4.  Lexgtij  and  Style. — Our  Confession  and  Catechism  seem 
to  us  to  be  too  long,  unnecessai'ily  dilfuse  and  tedious,  especially 
for  children.  Our  revision  proposes  to  shorten  these  by  more 
than  one-half,  without  omitting  anything,  as  we  believe,  of  per- 
tinence and  value. 

5.  ArtR^iNGEJJEjSTT  OF  IMattee. — The  Introduction,  for  obvious 
reasons,  is  jtlaced  at  the  Ijeginning  of  the  book,  instead  of  the 
Form  of  Government,  as  heretofore.  Tlie  order  of  the  subjects 
in  our  Confession  is  the  same  as  in  the  Westminster.  This  is  a 
logical  presentation  of  limitarian  theology,  but  is  inconsistent  with 
our  system  of  doctrines.  I'or  this  reason  we  propose  a  change  in 
the  order  of  subjects.  The  headings  of  some  of  the  chapters  in 
the  present  book  are,  in  our  judgment,  not  pertinent  to  the  matter 
arranged  undei-  tliem.  hence  changes  are  ])roposed,  e.  g.,  Effectual 
Calling  is  changed  to  Divine  Influence,  and  the  matter  arranged 
accordingly.  Perseverance  of  the  Saints  is  changed  to  Preser- 
vation of  r)elievers.  which  ])etter  suits  the  subject  matter  under 
that  heading.  A  new  heading  is  pro])osed.  Regeneration,  also  one 
entitled  Growth  in  Grace.  These  added  headings  seem  to  be 
necessary  to  a  full  and  logical  presentation  of  our  doctrinal  scheme. 

6.  Our  Children  and  Rising  Ministry. — The  Church,  we 
believe,  owes  it  to  its  children,  and  especially  to  its  rising  min^ 
istr}',  to  present  them  with  a  condensed,  logical,  and  self-consistent 
statement  of  its  doctrines,  so  plain  that  they  can  be  readily  under- 
stood and  not  easily  misrepresented. 

7.  Opinions  of  Others. — A  proper  regard  to  the  opinion  of 
other  Churches  and  individuals  who  may  wish  to  look  into  our 
doctrines  seems  to  require  revision.  Through  the  good  providence 
and  grace  of  God.  our  Church  has  prospered  and  attained  some 
degree  of  fraternal  recogTiition  among  the  evangelical  Churches  of 
Christendom,  hence  an  increased  desire  on  the  part  of  those  who 
have  hitherto  known  liut  little  of  us  to  be  better  informed  as  to 
our  faith  and  practice. 


THE  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY.  31 

8.  Opinions  of  Our  Own  :\1ex. — For  forty  years,  probaljly 
longer,  many  leading  men  of  the  Church  have  believed  revision 
necessary  in  order  that  we  might  have  a  clear  and  distinct  state- 
ment of  doctrine  which  woidd  free  us  from  all  reasonable  ground 
of  misapprehension  and  misrepresentation.  Even  our  compilers 
themselves,  who  did  their  work  as  well  as  it  was  possible  under 
the  circumstances,  often  confessed  and  deplored  the  defects  of  the 
book.  Some  efforts  at  revision  have  been  made  heretofore,  but 
seem  to  have  been  premature.  It  is  now  l^elieved  Ijy  many  that 
the  time  has  fully  come  when  the  work  can  be  satisfactorily  done. 

9.  Changes  Generally. — Some  changes  in  the  Confession 
have  been  made  for  improvement  in  style,  some  for  brevity,  some 
for  clearness  of  statement,  some  for  doctrinal  consistency. 

FOEM  OF  GOA^EENMENT. 

As  to  the  (:iovernment  of  the  Church,  no  material  changes  are 
proposed,  except  such  as  were  found  necessary  to  present  more 
clearly  the  practice  and  usage  of  our  Church  courts,  and  such 
as  were  deemed  proper  to  develop  more  certainly  our  work  and 
resources. 

In  the  Constitution,  which  takes  the  place  of  what  is  now 
termed  Form  of  Government,  are  included  only  those  fundamental 
principles  which,  with  the  Ivules  of  Disci})line,  are  not  to  be 
changed  without  the  approval  of  the  Presljyteries. 

The  General  Eegulations  include  such  provisions,  not  funda- 
mental in  character,  as  are  of  general  application,  and  like  the 
Directory  for  Worshi}),  and  Bules  of  Order,  may  be  amended  by 
a  two-thirds  vote  of  the  General  Assembly.  This  distinction  is 
deemed  desirable  in  order  that  our  progress  as  a  denomination 
may  not  be  retarded  by  delays  in  perfecting  our  plans  of  operation 
from  time  to  time. 

Except  the  Rules  of  Discipline,  the  revision  submitted  is  not 
so  long  as  the  corresponding  matter  in  our  present  book.  We 
have  studied  brevity.  l)ut  found  we  could  not  say  less  and  present 
what  was  necessary  to  a  clear  understanding  of  the  matter. 

Our  present  Form  of  Process  is  so  meager  in  detail  as  to  be 
almost  worthless,  and  while  we  agree  that  Church  trials  are  greatly 
to  be  deidored.  and  always  to  be  avoided   when  possible,  yet  we 


32  PART  I.,  HISTORICAL  STATEMENTS. 

feel  that  nothing  less  could  be  said  than  is  contained  in  the  Rules 
of  Discipline,  and  do  the  subject  justice. 

The  Directory  for  Worship  has  been  much  abbreviated  in  matters 
where  the  judgment  of  the  minister  is  a  sufficient  guide,  and  some 
features  have  been  added,  thought  to  be  necessary  to  every  pastor's 
convenience.  The  entire  chapter  on  the  Mode  of  inflicting  Church 
Censures  has  been  omitted,  as  that  subject  is  treated  in  Rules  of 
Discipline. 

Pkoof  Texts. 

The  texts  of  Scripture  sustaining  the  positions  taken  arc  not 
now  presented,  a.s  this  may  be  done  after  the  subject  has  been 
acted  upon  by  the  Presbyteries. 

COXCLUSION. 

We  have  given  the  work  assigned  us  our  earnest  and  prayerful 
consideration,  and  humbly  hope  that  the  revision  herewith  sub- 
mitted is  such  as  was  contemi)lated  in   our  appointment,  and  as 
will  promote  the  welfare  of  our  beloved  Zion. 
Respectfully  submitted, 

S.    C    Ik'RXEY, 

A.  Templeton, 
John  Frizzell, 

First  Committee. 

C.  H.  Bell, 
J.  W.  Poindexter, 
AV.  J.  Darby, 
R.    L.   Caruthers, 
May  19,  1882.  Second  Committee. 

"That  General  Assembly  [1882],  in  Committee  of  the  Whole, 
considered  with  great  patience  and  care  every  item  in  the  entire 
book,  taking  a  vote  on  each  one  separately,  and  at  the  close  of 
each  chapter  or  subject  taking  a  vote  upon  it  as  a  whole.  In 
this  way  the  entire  l)ook,  from  beginning  to  end,  was  carefully  and 
prayerfully  scrutinized,  and  necessary  changes  were  made — the 
most  of  them  verbal;  and  there  was  not  in  the  final  vote  a  single 
negative! 


THE  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY.  33 

"HaviEg  completed  its  work,  the  General  Assembly  transmitted 
the  book  to  tlie  Presbyteries  for  their  approval  or  disapproval," 
{From  Preface  to  Confession  of  Faith,  ISSo),  as  is  shown  iu  the 
accompanying  resolutions  from  the  Minutes  of  that  meeting  (1883), 
page  3G: 

Resolved,  That  the  Eevised  Confession  of  Faith  and  Government 
of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,  presented  by  the  Com- 
mittee on  Eevision,  as  amended  by  ihe  Committee  of  the  Whc*le, 
be  and  the  same  is  hereby  approved  and  transmitted  to  the  Pres- 
byteries for  their  action,  in  the  following  manner,  that  is  to  say: 

1.  Each  Presbytery  will,  in  one  vote,  express  its  approval  or 
disapproval  of  the  Introduction,  the  Confession  of  Faith,  and  the 
Catechism,  taken  together  as  a  whole. 

It  being  hereby  distinctly  understood  and  declared  that  those 
who  have  heretofore  received  and  adopted  the  Confession  of  Faith 
approved  by  the  General  Assemljly  in  1829.  and  who  prefer  to 
adhere  to  the  doctrinal  statements  contained  therein,  are  at  liberty 
to  do  so. 

2.  Fach  Presbytery  will,  in  one  vote,  express  approval  or  dis- 
approval of  the  Constitution  and  the  Rules  of  l)isci])line.  taken 
together  as  a  whole. 

3.  Each  Presbytery  will,  in  one  vote,  express  approval  or  dis- 
approval of  the  General  Regulations,  the  Directory  for  Worship, 
and  the  Rules  of  Order,  taken  together  as  a  whole. 

Revised  Confessiok  oe  Faith  Printed  and  Distributed  for 

Examination. 

It  was  ordered  that  the  Stated  Clerk  of  the  General  Assembly 
shall  have  the  Revised  Confession  of  Faith  and  Government  printed, 
and  tliat  a  copy  shall  be  sent  to  each  of  the  ordained  ministers, 
licentiates,  candidates,  and  Clerks  of  church  Sessions. — 1882,  p.  38. 

Proof  Texts  Selected. 

Whereas..  There  is  a  reasonable  probability  that  a  large  majority 
of  the  Presbyteries  will  adopt  the  revision  of  the  Confession  of 
Faith,  transmitted  to  them  by  this  General  Assembly,  therefore. 

Resolved,  That  the  Committee  on  Revision  be  instructed  to  pre- 
3 


34  PART  /.,  HISTORICAL  STATEMENTS. 

pare  appropriate  proof-texts  for  the  Kevised  Confession  of  Faith, 
and  to  submit  the  same  to  the  next  General  Assembly.  Adopted. 
—1882,  p.  38. 

The  Committee  on  Eevision,  directed  by  the  General  Assembly 
at  its  last  meeting  to  report  suitable  proof-texts  for  the  Revised 
Confession  of  Faith,  have  discharged  that  duty,  and  submit  the 
same  herewith. — 1883,  p.  42. 

''The  reports  from  the  Presbyteries  to  the  next  General  Assem- 
bly, which  convened  in  the  city  of  Nashville,  Tennessee,  A.D., 
1883,  showed  that  this  work  had  been  almost  unanimously  adopted. 
The  General  Assemljly,  having  reviewed  these  returns  from  the 
Presbyteries,  formally  declared  said  book  to  be  the  Confession  of 
Faith  and  Government  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church."' 
— From    Prrfdcc   la   ('(niffs^uDi   of  Faiili,  1883. 

CONFKSSIOX    OF   FAITH— 1883. 

Below  will  be  found  the  acts  of  the  General  Assembly  in  finally 
declaring  the  Revised  Confession  of  Faith  and  Government  to  be 
of  binding  authority: 

Report  ox  Revision. 

The  Stated  Clerk  made  the  following  report  on  Revision,  which 
was  concuri'ed  in,  whereupon  it  was  declared  that  the  Confession 
of  Faith  and  Government  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church 
had  been  constitutionally  elianged,  and  that  the  Revised  Confes- 
sion, as  approved  by  the  Presbyteries,  is  hereafter  to  be  of  binding 
authority  upon  the  ehui'ches: 

1.    IXTKODUCTIOX.    CoXFESSlOX    OF   FaITH,    AND    CaTECHISM. 

Approving  unanimovsiy — Alabama.  Albion,  Anderson,  Athens, 
Bacon,  Bartholomew.  Bell,  Bethel,  Charlotte,  Chillicothe,  Coles- 
hwTg,  Colorado,  Davis,  Elk,  Foster,  Georgia,  Guthrie,  Helena, 
Hopewell,  Indiana,  Kansas,  Kirkpatrick,  Knoxville,  La  Crosse, 
Leavenworth,  Lexington,  Little  River,  Logan,  Madison,  Marshall, 
McGready,  McLin.  IMemphis.  Mississippi,  Morgan,  Mound  Prairie, 
Nebraska.  New  Ho])e,  Obion.  Ocoee,  Oxford.  Red  Oak.  Republican 


THE  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY.  SS- 

Valley,  Kocky  Mountain,  Eushville,  Salem,  Salt  River,  San  Jacinto, 
San  Saba,  Searcy,  Sparta,  St.  Louis,  Tennessee,  Texas,  Trinity, 
Waco,  West  Iowa,  West  Prairie,  White  River,  White  Rock,  Yazoo, 
— Gl. 

Approring  iviih  one  dissentuiy  vote — Cinnberland,  Mayfield, 
Platte,   Richland,   Sacramento,   Tehuacana.    Wabash — T. 

Approving,  vote  not  given — Arkansas,  ihirrow,  Decatur,  Elyton, 
Ewiug  (Ark.),  Ewing  (111.),  Greenville.  Guadalupe,  Illinois,  Iowa, 
Jackson,  Kentucky,  King,  Kirksville,  Louisiana,  Mackinaw,  McGee, 
MclMinnville  (3  dissenting  votes),  Miami,  Muskingum,  Nashville, 
Xeosho,  Xolin,  Oregon,  Ouachita,  Parsons,  Pennsylvania  (3  dis- 
senting votes),  Red  River.  Sangamon.  Springfield,  Tulare,  Van- 
dalia— 32. 

Disapproving — Allegheny,  California,  Hiwassee,  New  Lebanon, 
Ozark,  Springville.  Talladega,  Walla  Walla.  Willamette  (tie  vote) 
—9. 

Not  reporting — Gregory,  Hot  Springs,  Washington — 3. 

Presenting  memorials — Ohio,  Princeton.  Union.  Wichita  (protest) 
—4. 

Approving  unanimously 61 

Approving,  one  dissenting  vote T 

Approving,  vote  not  given 33 — 100 

Disapproving 9 

Not  reporting 3 

Presenting:  memorials 4 


116 
II.  Constitution  and  Rules  of  Discipline. 

Approving  unanimously — Alabama,  Albion.  Anderson,  Athens, 
Bacon,  Bartholomew,  Bell,  Bethel,  Charlotte,  Chillicothe,  Coles- 
burg,  Colorado.  Davis,  Elk,  Foster,  Georgia.  Guthrie.  Helena,  Hope- 
well, Indiana,  Kansas,  Kirkpatrick,  Knoxville.  LaCrosse,  Leaven- 
worth, Lexington.  Little  River,  Logan,  Madison.  Marshall, 
McGready,  !McLin.  ^ifcMinnville,  Memphis.  Mississippi,  Morgan, 
Mound  Prairie.  Nebraska,  New  Hope,  Obion,  Ocoee,  Oxford,  Penn- 
sylvania, Red  Oak,  Repuhlican  Valley,  Richland.  Rocky  Mountain, 
Rushville,  Sacramento.  Salem,  Salt  River,  San  Jacinto,  San  Saba, 


36  PART  I.,  HISTORICAL  STATEMENTS. 

Searcy,  Sparta,  St.  J^ouit?,  Tennessee,  Texas,  Trinity,  Vandalia, 
Waco,  West  Iowa,  West  I'rairie,  White  liiver.  White  Koek,  Yazoo 
— G6. 

Approviny  with  one  dissenrnKj  v<ile- — (.'\nn!)erUind,  ]\Inyfiekl, 
Platte,  Tehuacaua,,  Wabasli — -j. 

Approviiuj,  ride  nut  ijiren — Arkansas,  Uurrovv,  California.  Deca- 
tur, Elyton,  Ewing  (Ark.),  Kwing  (111.),  Greenville.  (Juadalupe, 
Hiwassee,  Illinois,  luwa,  Jackson,  Kentucky,  King,  Kirksville, 
Louisiana,  Mackinaw.  McGee,  ^lianii,  iMuskingum,  Nashville, 
Neosho,  New  Lebanon.  Xolin,  Oregon.  Ouachita,  Ozark,  Parsons, 
Eed  Eiver,  Sangamon,  Sj)ringfield,  Tulare,  Walla  Walla.  Willa- 
mette— 35. 

Disap proving — Allegheny,   Springville,   Talladega — 3. 
Not  reportiiKj — Gregory.  ITot  Springs,  Washington — 3. 
Presentlii;/  Mcinoriat.'< — Ohio.   Princeton.  Union,   Wichita   (pro- 
test)—4. 

Ai)j)roving  iinaninuiiisly (id 

Approving,  one  dissenting  vote .") 

Approving,  vote  not  given 35 — lOG 

Disapproving 3 

Not  reportir.g 3 

Presenting  memorials 4 

IIG 

III.    General    Regulations,    Directoky    eor    AVohsiiii'.    and 
Ri'LEs  OF  Order. 

Approrimj  inHiiiiiiiuusli/ — Alabama,  Albion,  Anderson,  Athens, 
Bacon,  Bartholomew,  Bell,  Bethel.  Charlotte,  Chillicothe,  Coles- 
burg,  Colorado,  Davis,  Elk,  Foster,  Georgia,  Guthrie,  Helena,  Hope- 
well, Indiana,  Kansas,  Kirkpatrick.  Knoxville,  LaCrosse,  Leaven- 
Avorth,  Lexington,  Little  River.  Logan,  Madison,  Marshall,  Mc- 
Gready.  ]\IcLin.  ]\rc]\Iinnville,  Memphis,  Mississippi,  ^lorgan. 
Mound  Prairie,  Nebi'aska,  New  Hope.  Obion,  Ocoee,  Oxford,  Penn- 
sylvania, Red  Oak,  Republican  Valley.  Richland,  Rocky  Mountain, 
Eushville,  Sacramento,  Salem.  Salt  River,  San  Jacinto,  San  Saba, 
Searcy,  Sparta,  St.  Louis,  Tennessee,  Texas,  Trinity,  Vandalia, 
Waco,  West  Iowa,  West  Prairie,  White  Rivex,  White  Rock,  Yazoo 
— 66. 


THE  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY.  37 

Approving,  vifh  one  dissentiini  vale — Cumberland.  Mayfield, 
Platte,  Tehuacaiia.  Wabash — 5. 

Approving,  vote  not  given. — Arkansas.  Burrow,  California.  Deca- 
tur, Elyton,  Ewin<r  (Ark.),  Ewing  (Ilk).  Ureenville,  Guadalupe, 
Hiwassee,  Illinois.  Iowa.  Jackson.  Kentucky.  King,  Kirksville, 
Louisiana,  Mackinaw.  McGee.  ]\Iianii.  Muskingum,  Nashville, 
Neosho.  New  Lebanon.  Nolin.  Oregon,  Ouachita.  Ozark,  Parsons, 
Red  River,  Sangamon,  Springfield,  Talladega,  Tulai-e,  Walla  Walla 
—35. 

Disapproving — Allegheny,  Springville.  Willamette  (tie  vote) — 3. 

Not  reporting — Gregory.  Hot  Sjirings.  Washington — 3. 

Presenting  Memnrials — Ohio.  Princeton.  Union,  Wichita  (pro- 
test)— t. 

Approving  unanimously 66 

Approving,  one  dissenting  vote 5 

Approving,  vote  not  given 'S^y — 106 

Disapproving 3 

Not  reporting 3. 

Presenting'  memorials 4 


116 

-1883,  p]).  10.  11. 


Memorials  on  Revision. 


Memorials  on  Revision  were  ])resented,  and  referred  to  the  Com- 
mittee on  Revision. — 1883.  \).  12. 

Report  on  Revision. 

The  re])ort  of  the  Committee  on  Revision  was  amended  and 
adopted,  and  is  as  follows: 

The  Committee  on  Revision,  having  carefully  considered  the 
memorials  upon  t4ie  subject  referred  to  them,  and  also  the  various 
propositions  submitted  to  them  by  individual  brethren,  suggesting 
amendments  to  the  Confession  of  Faith,  respectfully  report: 

In  view  of  the  fact  that  this  subject  has  been  so  recently  acted 
upon  by  the  Presbyteries,  and  that  their  action,  approving  the 
Revised  Confession  of  Faith,  has  been  so  nearly  unanimous,  it  seems 
to  us  unwise  to  attempt,  at  this  time,  to  determine  wliat.  if  any. 


38  PART  /..  HISTORICAL  STATEMENTS. 

propositions  to  amend,  coming  I'rom  individuals,  are  proper  or 
ought  to  be  transmitted  for  tiie  action  of  the  Presbyteries.  Suf- 
ficient time  has  not  elapsed  to  enable  the  General  Assembly,  as 
we  think,  satisfactorily  to  determine  what,  if  any,  amendments  or 
changes  are  desired  by  the  Church.  While  the  General  Assembly 
has  the  right,  of  its  own  motion  or  upon  the  suggestion  of  any 
individual,  to  consider  and  recommend,  in  the  manner  pointed 
out  in  the  Constitution,  any  proposed  amendment  which  it  may 
deem  desirable,  yet  it  is  not,  we  respectfully  submit,  expedient 
at  this  time  to  undertake  such  work. 

A  memorial  from  a  Presl)yteiy  upon  this  subject,  or  any  other 
within  the  legitimate  sphere  of  j^resbyterial  authorit}'-,  should 
receive,  and  we  doubt  not  would  always  receive,  respectful  and 
careful  consideratioin  by  the  General  Assembly.  While  we 'may 
not  bope  that  a  Confession  of  Faith  can  be  framed  which,  in  its 
minor  details  and  modes  of  expression,  will  meet  the  views  of 
every  individual  member  of  the  Church,  and  while  this  has  not 
been,  and  should  not  be,  attempted,  it  is  desirable  to  have  in  it  a 
fair  declaration  of  the  doctrines  of  the  Church  as  held  and  believed 
by  the  Presbyteries  as  constituent  bodies,  representing  the  entire 
membership  of  the  Church.  We  submit,  too,  that  the  General  As- 
sembly should  be  slow  to  assume  any  desire  on  the  part  of  the 
Presbyteries  to  make  changes,  in  the  absence  of  an  expression  from 
them  to  that  elfect,  although  it  should  and  does  give  respectful 
consideration  to  the  views  of  individual  brethren. 

For  these  reasons,  and  others  which  might  be  given,  we  re- 
spectfully rejjort  adversely  upon  all  the  propositions  submitted  to 
us,  coming  from  individuals,  to  amend  or  change  the  Confession 
of  Faith,  believing  it  more  desirable  to  await  expressions  from  the 
Presbyteries,  if  any  of  them  desire  to  make  suggestions;  and  should 
any  of  the  Presbyteries  desire  to  oifer  amendments,  we  think  it 
would  be  well  for  them  to  forward  the  same  to  the  General  As- 
sembly at  its  next  meeting.  * 

We  have  considered  the  memorials  from  Presbyteries;  and  as 
to  those  from  Allegheny.  New  Lebanon,  Princeton,  and  Union, 
which  in  effect  ask  that  the  whole  subject  of  Revision  be  com- 
mitted to  a  new  committee,  or  that  it  be  postponed,  we  respect- 
fully submit  that  such  a  course  is  now  inexpedient,  and  we  recom- 
mend that  the  prayer  of  these  memorialists  bo  not  granted. 


THE  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY.  39 

We  have  cuusidered  the  protest  from  member;!  of  Wichita  Pres- 
bytery agaiust  llie  adoption  of  the  Kevised  Coufessiou  of  Faith 
and  Goveriimeut,  and  seeing  that  this  is  a  matter  wliieli  is  not 
under  the  control  of  the  General  Assembly,  but  belongs  to  the 
Presbyteries,  we  ask  to  be  discharged  from  its  further  consid- 
eration. 

The  memorial  from  Ohio  Presbytery  projjoses  certain  amend- 
ments to  the  Eevised  Confession  of  Faith.  We  have  carefully  con- 
sidered these  proposed  amendments,  and  are  constrained  to  recom- 
mend that  they  l)e  not  adojited.  ^^one  of  them  are.  in  our  opinion, 
to  be  desired. 

We  have  to  say,  however,  that  while  we  cannot  recommend  the 
proposition  contained  in  this  memorial  upon  the  sul)ject  of  Sancti- 
fication,  yet  we  feel  free  to  say  that  the  proposition  u})on  this  sub- 
ject, submitted  to  the  General  Assembly  at  its  last  meeting  by 
the  Committee,  is,  in  our  opinion,  })referable  to  that  adopted  at 
that  time.  With  some  unimportant  verbal  changes,  that  proposi- 
tion is  as  follows: 

"Those  who  believe  to  the  saving  of  their  souls  are  in  l_)elieving 
also  sanctified.  This  sanctilication  consists  of  a  full  surrender  of 
self,  and  an  unreserved  consecration  of  the  whole  man  to  God  and 
his  service,  and  is  of  the  ability  which  God  gives. 

In  ol^dience  to  the  Divine  command,  and  resting  upon  the 
promise,  it  is  the  duty  of  Christians  to  cleanse  themselves  from 
all  filthiness  of  the  flesh  and  s})irit,  })erfecting  holiness  in  the  fear 
of  God. 

Christians,  because  of  worldly-mindedness,  have  frequent  occa- 
sion for  repentance,  and  for  renewing  their  consecration. 

Whether  Sanctification.  in  addition  to  separation  from  world- 
liness  and  consecration  to  God,  also  includes  the  idea  of  progressive 
moral  purity  in  the  sense  in  which  Regeneration  purifies,  is  a  ques- 
tion concerning  which  opinions  dift'er.  Liberty  of  conscience  is 
therefore  allowed  on  this  subject." 

s.  g.  burney, 
John  Frizzell, 
C.  TI.  Bell, 
J.  W.  Poindexter, 
W.  J.  Darby. 
—1883,  pp.  29,  30. 


40  PART  /.,  HISTORICAL  STATEMENTS. 

Last  Action  on  Kevision. 

Your  Connuittee  on  Overtures  have  examined  the  memorials 
referred  to  us  from  tlie  following  Presbyteries,  each  of  wliich  sug- 
gests various  changes  in  the  Confession  of  Faith  and  Book  of  Dis- 
cipline: Tehuacana,  Colorado,  Foster,  IJonham,  Indiana,  Kirks- 
ville,  and  Talladega. 

Your  Committee  feel  that  the  changes  {proposed  would  not  pre- 
vent considerable  disctission  after  their  leport  was  presented  to 
your  body,  and  thereby  lead  to  a  further  reference  to  them  with 
instructions;  and  believing  that  it  would  l)e  more  satisfactory  to 
the  memorialists  and  to  the  general  CUuirch  that  the  suggestions 
therein  contained  be  fully  and  amply  discussed  in  a  Committee  of 
the  Whole,  tln^n-efore  we  would  request  that  the  said  memorials 
be  referred  back  td  your  body  for  final  action.  Adopted. — 1884, 
p.  1.5. 

COMMITTEK    OF    'I'UK    WlIOLH REVISION. 

On  motion,  the  General  Assendjly  went  into  Committee  of  the 
Whole  to  consider  memorials  from  certain  Presbyteries  on  the 
subject  of  Kevision.  After  having  finished  its  work,  the  Commit- 
tee of  the  Whole  rose,  and  the  Chaii'inan  reported  that,  after  con- 
sidering the  memorials  which  had  been  presented  to  the  General 
Assembly  on  Eevision,  a  memorial  coming  from  ]\lcj\linnville  Pres- 
bytery had  been  adopted  as  exi)ressing  the  sentiment  of  the  Com- 
mittee. He  further  re])orted  that  the  Committee  desired  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly  to  adopt  said  memorial  also,  and  to  concur  in  its 
recommendation,  which  the  Assembly  then  did,  the  memorial  being 
as  follows: 

The  following  preambles  and  resolutions  were  adopted  by  the 
McMinnville  Presbytery  May  3,  1884,  to  wit: 

^Murea8,  The  General  Assembly  did,  while  in  session  at  Austin, 
Texas,  in  May,  1881.  appoint  a  committee  of  able  and  discreet  men 
to  revise  the  Confession  of  Faith  and  Form  of  Government  of  the 
Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,  so  that  said  Confession  might 
express  clearly  and  accurately  the  doctrines  taught  from  our  pul- 
pits and  by  our  press,  and  that  our  Form  of  Government  might 
conform  in  all  its  jtoints  to  tlie  usages  of  the  Church:  and. 


THE  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY.  41 

Wherem,  Said  Committee,  after  carefully  I'evising  the  Confes- 
sion of  Faith  and  Form  of  Government,  submitted  tlieir  work  to 
the  General  Assembly,  in  session  at  Ihmtsville,  Ala.,  in  May,  1882; 
and, 

Vsliercas,  Said  General  Asseniljly,  in  Committee  of  tlie  Whole,  did 
consider  the  subject,  item  by  item,  and  after  recommending  certain 
amendments,  adopted  the  Revised  Confession  of  Faith  and  Form 
of  Government,  transmitting  the  same  to  the  Presbyteries  for  their 
approval  or  disapproval;  and, 

VJlicreas,  The  Revised  Confession  of  Faith  and  Form  of  Govern- 
ment were  approved  with  great  unanimity  by  a  large  majority  of 
the  Presbyteries,  thereby  becoming  the  Faith  and  Government 
of  the  Church;  therefore, 

Resolved,  That  it  is  the  sense  of  this  Presbytery  that  it  is  unwise 
to  agitate  the  subject  of  alteration  or  change  in  the  Confession  of 
Faith  and  Form  of  G.overnment  so  soon  after  its  almost  unanimous 
approval  by  the  whole  Church,  saying  to  the  outside  world  that  we 
are  dissatisfied  with  our  theological  status. 

Besolved,  That  this  Presbytery,  by  these  preambles  and  resolu- 
tions, do  memorialize  the  General  Assembly  which  meets  at  Mc- 
Keesport,  Pa.,  on  the  15th  inst.,  to  advise  all  our  judicatures  and 
individual  members  to  desist  (at  least  for  the  present)  from  the 
agitation  of  alteration  or  change  in  the  Faith  and  Government  of 
the  Church.— 1884,  pp.  17,  18. 

Indexes  to  the  Confession  of  1-"aith. 

Rev.  J.  V  Stephens,  Rev.  J.  M.  Ilubbert,  D.I).,  and  J.  I.  D. 
Hinds  were  appointed  a  committee  to  pre})are  an  index  to  the 
Confession  of  Faith. — 1895,  p.  55. 

The  Committee  appointed  at  the  last  meeting  of  the  Assembly 
to  prepare  an  Index  to  the  Confession  of  Faith,  made  the  follow- 
ing report,  which,  together  with  the  Index,  was  referred  to  the 
Committee  on  Publication: 
To  the  Moderator  and  ^Members  of  tlie  General  Assembly  of  the 

Cumberland    Presbyterian   Church,   in   session  at   Birmingham, 

Ala.,  May  21,  1896. 

Dear  Brethren: — The  undersigned  were  appointed  by  the  last 
Assembly  (see  ]\Iinutes.  page  55)  "to  ju-epare  an  Index  to  the  Con- 


42  PART  I.,  HISTORICAL  STATEMENTS. 

fession  of  Faith."  Alter  a  tliorougli  investigation  of  the  wliole 
matter  involved,  we  decided  tliat  it  would  be  better  to  make  two 
indexes;  the  first,  on  "Christian  Doctrine,"  embracing  the  "Con- 
fession of  Faith"  proper,  and  the  "Catechism;"  and  the  second, 
on  "p]celesiastical  Law,"  embracing  the  "Constitntion,"  "Rules  of 
Discipline,"  "General  Regulations,"  "Directory  for  Worship,"  and 
"Rules  of  Order."  The  work  has  been  done  according  to  tliis  plan, 
and  we  recommend  that  the  matter  which  has  been  prepared,  and 
which  is  herewith  sul)mitted,  be  printed  in  two  Indexes  as  herein 
indicated,  and  be  bound  in  subsequent  editions  of  the  Confession 

of  Faith. 

Respectfully  suluuitted, 

J.  Y.   Stephens, 
J.  I.  D.  Hinds, 

.1.    M.    IIUBBERT. 

Lebanon.  Tenii..  .^lay  J  t.  ISix;.  —1896,  p.  IL 

The  foregoing  re]»ort  was  referred  to  a  Committee,  whose  re])ort 
thereon  was  adopted,  and  is  as  follows: 

Your  Committee,  to  whom  was  refeiTed  the  report  of  the  Com- 
mittee appointed  at  the  last  General  Assembly  "to  prepare  an 
Index  to  the  Confession  of  Faith,"  recommend  concurrence  in  that 
report  and  the  adoption  of  its  reconnnendations. — 1896,  p.  36. 


PART  II. 
THE  CHURCH. 

Confp:ssiox  of  Faith^  Sectioxs  Uj-Kj. — The  universal  Church, 
which  is  invisible,  consists  of  all  those  who  have  become  children 
of  God  hy  faith,  and  joint-heirs  with  Christ,  who  is  the  head 
thereof. 

1)4.  The  visible  Church  consists  of  those  who  hold  to  the  fun- 
damental doctrines  of  Christianity  in  respect  to  matters  of  faith 
and  morals,  and  have  entered  into  formal  covenant  with  Cod  and 
some  organized  body  of  Christians  for  the  maintenance  of  religiotis 
worship.  The  children  of  such  are  included  in  the  covenant  rela- 
tions of  their  })arents,  and  are  ])roi)erly  under  the  special  care  of 
the  Church. 

do.  Unto  tliis  visible  Church  Christ  has  given  the  ministry,  the 
Word,  and  the  ordinances,  for  its  edification,  and,  by  his  own  pres- 
ence in  spirit,  makes  them  effectual  thereunto.  The  Lord  Jesus 
Christ  is  the  only  head  of  his  Church  on  earth. 

Constitution,  Sections  1,  2. — Jesus  Christ,  who  is  now  exalted 
far  above  all  princij)ality  and  power,  has  established  in  this  world 
a  kingdom  which  is  his  Church. 

2.  The  universal  Church  consists  of  all  those  persons,  in  every 
nation,  who  make  profession  of  the  holy  religion  of  Christ  and 
of  submission  to  his  laws. 

T.  THE  CUMBERLAND  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH. 

Confession  of  Faith,  Section  97. — While  it  is  required  of  all 
Christians  to  live  in  fellowship,  it  is  the  especial  duty  of  those 
belonging  to  the  same  denomination;  and  also  to  co-operate  in  sus- 
taining public  worship,  and  whatever  measures  are  adjudged  best 
for  the  spiritual  interests  of  the  Church  and  the  glor}'  of  God. 

The  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church  does  not  set  up  any  such 
claim  as  that  of  its  being  the  only  Church,  but  holds,  in  common 
(43) 


44  FART  II.,   THE  CHURCH. 

with  other  Keformed  or  Presbyterian  bodieij,  that  eacli  evangelical 
denomination  is  a  branch  of  the  Church. 

It  took  the  word  "Cumberland"  into  its  name  on  tins  wise:  The 
Synod  of  Kentucky  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  in  1802,  struck  off 
a  new  Presbyter}-  fi'om  the  Presbytery  of  Transyhania,  which  had 
included  "the  district  of  Kentucky  and  the  settlements  on  Cum- 
berland Kiver,  extending  into  what  is  now  the  State  of  Tennessee." 
This  new  Presbytery,  wliich  was  "constituted  out  of  the  lower  por- 
tion," including  the  "Cumberland  Country/"  the  Synod  called  "the 
Cumberland  Presbytery"  because  of  the  "Cumberland  Country" 
included  within  its  bounds. 

It  was  in  this  Cumberland  Presbytery  that  the  great  revival  pro- 
voked a  strong  protest  from  the  anti-revival  })arty,  as  has  Ijeen 
}tointed  out  in  the  "Circular  Letter,""  in  Part  I,  The  controversy 
resulted  in  the  Syntnrs  dissolving  tlie  Cum1)erland  Presbytery,  "and 
re-annexing  the  members  to  the  Presbytery  of  Transylvania.""  After 
four  years  of  patient  waiting,  and  seeking  redress  through  the  Gen- 
eral Asseml)ly  of  the  Presl)yterian  Church,  as  is  shown  in  the 
"Circular  Letter,""  printed  in  Part  I.,  an  indepe^ideiit  Presbytery 
was  organized.  This  independent  Presbytery  occupied  practically 
the  same  territory  which  the  dissolved  Cumberland  Presljytery 
had  ()ccu]iied,  ;;.;(!  so  the  independent  Presljytery  was  called 
"Cumberland,""  just  as  its  predecessor  had  been  called  hy  the  same 
name. 

"When  the  Cburch  was  organized,  in  1810,  it  adopted  no  de- 
nominational name.  There  was  no  intention  then  of  starting  a 
new  Church.  It  was  an  independent  Presbytery  of  Preshyterians, 
which  still  hoped  for  restoration  to  its  old  status  in  the  mother 
Church."" — Fi-nm  TJisfnri/  of  (he  Cumberland  Presbi/tcrian  Church, 
McDounold.  p.  11 4. 

The  Presbytei"}'.  for  some  three  years,  referred  to  itself  simply 
as  "the  Cumberland  Presbyter^-." 

"Whereas,  Enemies  to  the  Cumberland  Presbytery,  have  reported 
thai  our  creed,  or  system  of  doctrines,  is  unknown,  and  whereas, 
friendly  disposed  persons  have  been  apprehensive  that  some  sen- 
timents unknoAvn  might  bo  concealed  under  the  term  'fatality.'' 
which  term  this  Pres])ytery  has  clioscn   as  a  proper  one  to  show 


THE  CUMBERLAND  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH.  45 

their  exception  to  the  Confession  of  Faith,  and  whereas,  we  deem 
it  our  duty  explicitly  to  declare  our  views  on  that  subject, 

"Resolved,  therefore,  unanimously,  that  the  Cumberland  Pres- 
bytery views,  and  hereby  declares,  the  'Reply  to  the  Pastoral  Letter 
of  West  Tennessee  Presbytery'  to  contain  a  just  exposition  of  our 
exception  to  the  Confession  of  Faith  upon  the  term  fatality,  and 
also  a  just  view  of  the  system  of  doctrines  held  by  this  Presbytery, 
as  fairly  deduced  from  the  Confession  of  Faith,  so  far  as  doctrines 
are  treated  of  in  that  reply.'' — From,  Minutes  of  Cuniberlmid  Pre-s- 
hytery.  Novemhcr  J.  1812. 

"By  motion,  Messrs.  Finis  Ewing  and  Robert  Donnell  were  ap- 
pointed a  committee  to  draft  a  complete,  though  succinct  account 
of  the  rise,  doctrines,  etc..  of  the  Cumberland  Presbytery." — 
From  Minutes  of  Cumberlrind  Presbytery,  April  7,  1813. 

Some,  to  distinguish  those  adhering  to  the  independent  Pres- 
bytery from  other  Presbyterians,  at  first  called  them  "members  of 
the  Cumberland  Presbytery,"  as  will  appear  from  the  following 
resolution  adopted  by  a  Methodist  Conference,  and  reported  to  the 
Presbytery : 

^'Besolved,  That  those  wlio  call  themselves  members  of  the  Cum- 
berland Presbj^tery,  are  in  such  a  state  of  accountability  to  each 
other,  as  will  authorize  us  to  admit  individuals  of  that  body,  on 
examination,  to  the  Lord's  Supper  with  us.  An  examination  we 
deem  necessary  to  know  wbethcr  they  are  regular  members,  etc." 
— From  Minutes  of  Cumberland  Presbytery,  March  20,  1811. 

Others  called  the  adherents  of  the  new  Presbytery,  now  iden- 
tified with  the  revival  party,  "C*umberland  Presbyterians."'  Dr. 
McDonnold  says  that  the  name  which  the  people  gave  was  neither 
repudiated  nor  formally  ado|)ted,  Init  that  it  clung  to  the  new 
organization.  At  the  first  meeting  of  the  Synod,  1813,  the  mem- 
bers refer  to  those  in  the  independent  movement  as  "Cumberland 
Presbyterians,"  which  will  be  seen  from  the  following: 

"The  Committee  appointed  by  the  last  general  Cumberland 
Presbytery,  for  that  purpose,  reported  to  the  Synod  a  succinct  ac- 
count of  the  rise,  doctrines,  and  progress  of  the  Cumberland  Pres- 
byterians, etc."' — From  Minutes  of  Cumberland  Synod,  October  6, 
1813. 


46  PART  II.,    THE  CHTRCH. 

I.  The  Assembly  refused  to  change  the  name. 

The  memorialists  itray  that  the  General  Assembly  would  adopt 
measures  in  order  to  a  change  of  name  from  ("umherland  Pres- 
byterian to  American  Pres1)yterian.  In  relation  to  this  subject 
your  Committee  would  suggest  that  names  generally  originate  with 
others  rather  than  the  su])jects  of  them.  It  is  true  that  the  fathers 
in  the  organization  of  the  first  Presbytery  of  this  Church,  styled 
it  the  Cumberland  Presbytery;  but  this  was  rather  a  re-organiza- 
tion than  an  organization.  The  Presbytery  had  existed  before, 
having  been  constituted  and  named  by  another  judicature  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church;  therefore,  although  the  Assemljly  might  take 
the  step  desired  by  the  memorialists,  and  the  new  lunne  might  be 
incorporated  into  our  Confession  of  l-'aith  and  Form  of  Govern- 
ment, and  into  the  records  of  our  judicatories,  we  might  still  ])e 
denominated  Cumlierland  Presbyterians  by  those  who  would  take 
the  liberty  of  denomiiiating  us  what  they  })leased. 

Again:  najnes  are  mostly  arbitrary  and  accidental.  It  is  dif- 
ficult to  make  them  significant.  They  are  for  the  purpose  of  dis- 
tinction. The  origin  of  our  name  was  accidental;  still,  it  may 
subserve  the  ]uir]iose  of  a  name.  It  will  distinguish  us  from  other 
communions,  and  especially  from  other  departments  of  the  Pres- 
byterian Church.  Furthermore,  whilst  the  senseless  and  the  silly 
may  taunt  us  with  the  locality  of  our  name — and  this  has  been 
done — may  it  not  occur  that  the  serious  and  intelligent,  whose  good 
o]iinion,  and  whose  only,  is  worth  the  possession,  may  despise  us 
for  any  sensitiveness  which  we  may  manifest  under  such  re- 
proaches? Our  character  will  be  determined  by  our  intellectual 
and  moral  worth,  and  these  will  be  the  measure  of  our  influence 
also.  Let  us  seek  the  highest  attainments  in  wisdom  and  holiness; 
let  us  aim  at  the  fulfillment  of  our  mission  as  an  humble  branch 
of  the  Church  of  -lesus  Christ,  and  we  may  confidently  expect  all 
embarrassments  and  difficulties  from  secondare'  considerations  to 
be  removed,  and  our  path,  like  the  path  of  the  just,  to  shine  more 
and  more  unto  the  ]ierfect  day.  We  therefore  recommend  that 
the  prayer  of  the  memorialists  be  not  granted. — 1850,  p.  37. 

We  have  before  us  a  memorial  from  Rushville  Presbytery,  giving 
four  reasons  why  our  denominational  nanu^  should  be  changed,  and 
asking  the  General  Assembly  to  take  steps  to  that  end. 


THE  CUMBERLAND  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH.  47 

Your  Committee  are  ol'  opiniou  that  such  change  is  imprac- 
ticable, iiot  to  say  undesirable.     Adopted. — 1880,  p.  20. 

We  have  carefully  considered  the  papers  referred  to  us  calling 
for  a  change  of  our  Church  name,  sul)stituting  some  other  word 
in  the  place  of  Cumberland. 

These  papers  are  from  ihe  following  Presbyteries,  viz.,  Xasliville, 
Athens,  California,  Indiami,  and  ^\'abash. 

The  first  two  call  for  the  name  American  Presbyterian. 

California  Presbytery  calls  for  the  name  Presbyterian  Church 
of  America. 

Indiana  Presbytery  calls  for  the  name  Evangelical  Presbj'terian. 

Various  reasons  are  assigned  for  these  changes.  These  your 
Committee  have  duly  considered,  but  do  not  regard  them  of  suf- 
ficient importance  to  justify  a  change  of  name,  or  even  to  have 
the  question  submitted  to  the  Presbyteries. 

We,  therefore,  are  unanimous  in  the  opinion  that  our  Church 
name  should  remain  as  it  is,  and  for  the  following  reasons: 

1.  The  name  Cumberland  is  too  precious  to  the  hearts  of  our 
people  to  be  given  up. 

2.  It  is  evident  already  from  the  many  names  suggested  that  it 
would  be  very  difficult,  if  uot  impossibh%  to  unite  on  any  other. 

3.  A  change  of  name  would  mal<e  a  double  explanati6n  neces- 
sary instead  of  one  that  is  easy  and  significant. 

4.  It  would  necessarily  involve  a  change  in  the  names  of  our 
schools,  charters,  boards,  papers,  books,  etc. 

5.  There  are  serious  objections  to  each  one  of  the  names  pro- 
posed. 

6.  The  name  Cumberland  has  already  become  sacred  in  the 
hearts  of  our  people  and  a  representative  of  our  doctrines. 

?.  We  would  still  be  called  Cumberland  Presbj^terians,  hence 
much  confusion  and  dissatisfaction  would  be  the  result. 

8.  We  do  not  see  that  any  important  ends  could  be  gained  by  a 
change. 

We,  therefore,  recommend  that  the  whole  subject  be  dropped 
without  any  further  discussion.     Adopted. — 1881,  p.  13. 

We  have  before  us  memorials  from  the  Arkansas  Synod  and  the 
Yazoo  Presbyterv,  asking  vour  Eeverend   liody  not  to  submit  to 


48  PART  II.,   THE  CHURCH. 

the  Presbyteries  a  proposition  to  change  the  name  of  the  Chuj'ch, 
and  that  the  agitation  of  that  subject  cease.  We  recommend  that 
the  request  of  the  {)etitioners  be  granted.     Adopted. — 1894,  p.  18. 

2.  The  Anniversary  of  the  Church. 

Vsliereas,  The  Fourtli  tlay  of  February  is  a  period  of  the  year 
of  deep  and  im})ortaiiL  interest  to  all  Cumberland  Presbyterians, 
it  being  the  day  un  which,  as  a  denomination,  they  came  into 
existence;  and,  whereas,  the  observance  of  anniversaries  has,  on 
the  part  of  variotts  commtmities  and  associated  bodies,  produced 
an  increase  of  intei'est  and  an  enlargement  of  feeling  and  conse- 
quent operations: 

Resulvtd,  That  benceforth,  the  Fourth  day  of  February  be  re- 
garded as  Ihe  Anniversa'-y  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church; 
that  all  our  ministers  and  peo])le  be  recommended  to  observe  that 
time,  from  year  to  year,  as  a  day  of  thanksgiving,  a  day  of  prayer 
and  sup})lication  to  Almighty  God,  that  he  may  continue  his 
gracious  and  heavenly  benedictions  with  us  as  a  branch  of  his 
Church;  that  he  may  continue,  by  his  sovereign  calls,  and  gracious 
influence,  to  increaf-e  the  nundjer  of  ministers  stationed  on  the 
walls  of  Zion,  and  that  by  divine  unctions  of  the  Holy  Ghost 
accompanying  the  Gospel  it  may  be  effectual  to  accomplish  the 
great  purpose  for  which  it  has  been  sent  into  the  world.  Adopted. 
—1855,  p.  35. 

II.  A  PARTICULAE  CHURCH. 

In  the  Church  courts  the  appellation  "congregation"  is  generally 
used  for  that  of  '"particular  church."  Sometimes,  however,  the 
word  "church"  is  found,  without  the  word  "particular."' 

Constitution,  Section  4. — A  })articular  church  consists  of  a 
number  of  professing  Christians  voluntarily  associated  together 
for  Divine  worship  and  godly  living,  agreeably  to  the  Holy 
Scriptures,  and  submitting  to  a  certain  form  of  government. 

Its  officers  are  the  minister  in  charge,  the  ruling  elders  and 
the  deacons. 

Its  jurisdiction  is  lodged  in  the  church  Session,  composed  of  the 
minister  in  charge  and  ruling  elders. 


A  PARTICULAR  CHURCH.  49 

\.  Organizing  a  new  church. 

Constitution,  8e('Tiux  1G. — In  all  cases,  except  when  a  Com- 
mission for  that  purpose  shall  have  been  appointed  by  the  Presby- 
tery, any  ordained  minister,  belonging  to  the  Presbytery  in  the 
bounds  of  which  the  new  church  is  to  be  located,  may  preside  at 
the  organization  of  such  church,  and  perform  all  the  duties  incident 
thereto;  but  in  such  case  the  new  church  shall  not  be  located  within 
five  miles  of  an  existing  Cumberland  Presbyterian  church  without 
the  consent  of  Presbytery. 

Constitution,  Section  T. — In  the  organization  of  a  chmx3h  the 
first  step  is  to  receive  testimonials  on  behalf  of  such  of  the  ap- 
plicants as  are  members  of  the  Church,  if  tlierc  be  any;  and  then 
to  admit  upon  a  profession  of  faith  in  Chiist  sueli  candidates  as, 
on  examination,  may  be  found  quaHhed. 

These  persons  should,  in  the  next  place,  be  required  to  enter 
into  covenant  by  answering  the  following  riuestion  affirmatively: 
Do  you,  in  rehance  on  God  for  strength,  solemnly  promise  and 
covenant  that  you  will  walk  together  as  an  organized  church  on 
the  princij)les  of  the  Government  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian 
Church;  that  you  will  support  the  Gospel  as  God  has  prospered 
you,  and  that  you  will  study  the  purity  and  iiarmony  of  the  whok' 
body? 

The  presiding  minister  shall  then  say:  I  now  pronounce  and 
declare  that  you  are  constituted  a  church  according  to  the  Word 
of  God  and  the  })rinciples  of  the  Government  of  the  Cumberland 
Presbyterian  Church,  subject  to  the  approval  of  the  Presbytery'. 
In  the  name  of  the  Father,  and  of  the  Son.  and  of  the  Holy  Spirit. 
Amen. 

Ruling  elders  and  deacons  are  then  to  be  elected,  ordained, 
and  installed. 

2.  When  organizations  are  forbidden. 

Within  five  miles  of  a  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church. — See 
Constitution,  Section  16. 

A  minister,  either  within  or  without  his  Presbytery,  has  no  right 
to  attempt  to  organize  a  congregation  of  disaffected  members, 
4 


60  PART  11.,   THE  CHURCH. 

and  thereby  divide  and  disturb  congregations  already  organized. 
Adopted. — 1860.  p.  74. 

"Is  it  proper  and  orderly  for  a  Presbytery  to  recognize,  and 
receive  under  its  care,  an  association  of  persons  who  have  been 
collected  by  the  efforts  of  a  minister  of  the  Gospel,  who  is,  and 
was  at  the  time  of  gathering  them  together,  under  suspension?" 

Your  Committee  answei-  in  the  negative.    Adopted. — 1859,  p.  30. 

3.  Becoming  a  constituent  of  Presbytery. 

Gexekal  Kegulations,   Section   ."]. — When   a  new  church   is 
organized  it  shall,  through  its  churcii  Session,  apply  to  the  Pres- 
byteiT  in   the   bounds   of  which  it  is  located   to  become  a   con- 
stituent thereof,  in  the  following  or  like  form: 
To  the  Preshijlery  nf .• 

The  undersigned   respectfully  represent,  that  on  the    ....    day 

of   ,  A.D.,    .  . .  . ,  there  was  organized  by  Rev 

(or  by  a  Commission  of  Presbytery,  as  the  case  may  be),  at 
,  a  new  church,  adopting  the  principles  of  the  Govern- 
ment of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,  with  a  meml)ership 

of and  electing  tlie  undersigned  as  ruling  elders,  and    .... 

and  ....  as  deacons. 

Under  and  by  authority  of  said  church,  we  do  hereby  apply 
to  be  received  under  your  care,  and  we  promise  a  cheerful  com- 
pliance on  its  part,  as  well  as  our  own,  with  all  the  duties  and 
obligations  enjoined  upon  ]iarticular  churches  and  their  officers  by 
the  Government  of  the  Cumberland  Presbvterian  Church. 


(Date.)  Ruling  Elders. 

4.  When  may  a  Church  be  represented  in  Presbytery  ? 

Constitution,  Section  39. — Every  particular  church  which  is 
willing  to  support  the  Gospel  as  God  has  prospered  it  shall  be 
entitled  to  be  represented  by  a  ruling  elder  in  Presbytery. 


A  PARTICULAR  CHURCH.  51 

Your  Committee  on  Minutes  of  the  Synod  of  Pennsylvania  re- 
port that  we  have  examined  the  same,  and  find  them  well  ar- 
ranged, in  good  order,  and  in  the  main  in  accordance  with  your 
C*onstitntion. 

On  page  eighteen  we  find  what  we  consider  a  departure  from  the 
teaching  of  3^our  Book,  ]iage  89,  viz.: 

That  where  two  or  more  congregations  are  confederated  to- 
gether under  the  care  of  one  minister,  as  pastor  or  supply,  tlieir 
right  to  representation,  in  their  individual  capacity,  is  conceded 
to  the  confederation,  and  while  thus  united  are  entitled  to  but 
one  representative. 

1.  We  think  this  action  of  the  Synod  tends  to  an  unequal  dis- 
tribution of  ])Ower  among  the  churches,  allowing  the  pastor  of  one 
church  equal  j)ower  with  the  pastor  of  two  or  more  churches. 

2.  We  do  not  believe  an  elder  can  represent  a  congregation  in 
Synod,  of  whose  Board  of  Elders  he  is  not  a  member.  Adopted. 
—1887,  p.  21. 

5.  Congregational  boundaries. 

The  White  Eiver  Presbytery  asks:  1.  Has  a  Presbytery  the 
power  and  right  to  abolish  congregational  lines  within  its  bounds, 
when  in  its  wisdom  it  may  consider  such  action  conducive  to 
the  well-being  of  the  Church? 

Answer:  The  Constitution  of  the  Church  does  not  give  the 
Presbytery  the  power  to  interfere  with  congregational  lines. 

2.  Has  a  Presbytery  the  right  to  re-establish  those  lines  when 
said  action  involves  the  rights  and  interests  of  congregations  or- 
ganized within  the  lines  originally  established  for  older  organiza- 
tions? 

Answer:  Our  Form  of  Government  does  not  recognize  congre- 
gational lines  or  boundaries.  The  Presbytery  can  have  no  right 
either  to  establish  or  abolisli  such  lines. 

3.  When  a  congregation  petitions  a  Presb5'tery  to  be  received 
under  its  care,  with  certain  boundary  lines,  and  the  Presbytery  re- 
ceives it  with  this  agreement,  can  the  Presbytery  abolish  such 
lines  without  the  consent  of  such  congregation? 

Answer:  For  the  reasons  above  stated,  your  Committee  agrees 
that  you  should  answer  in  the  negative.     Adopted. — 1879,  p.  21. 


SB  PART  II.,   THE  CHURCH. 

6.  A  Minister  cannot  go  into  the  bounds  of  one  con- 

gregation to  collect  funds  for  another 
congregation. 

"Is  it  [jroper  and  orderly  for  any  minister,  and  especially  for 
one  under  suspension,  to  go  into  the  bounds  of  a  regularly  organ- 
ized congregation  and  seek  to  collect  from  its  meml)ers  funds 
for  another  congregation?"" 

To  this  question  your  Committee  would  answer,  that  it  is  highly 
improper  and  disorderly  for  any  minister  thus  to  mar  the  peace 
and  pros]ierity  of  another  congregation.     Ado])ted. — 1859,  p.  20. 

7.  Presbytery    cannot   dissolve  a   congregation  without 

its  consent. 

CoxsTiTUTiox,  Section  ;n. — The  Presbytery  has  power  to  unite 
or  divide  churches,  witii  the  consent  of  a  majority  of  the  mem- 
bers thereof. 

A  Presbyieiy  has  a  right  to  dissolve  a  congregation,  with  the 
consent  of  its  members,  and  attach  them  to  other  congregations. 
Adopted.— lS(i9.  p.  :\\. 

"The  Tfluiacana  Pi-esbytery  ai^ks  you  to  decide  whether  a  Pres- 
bytery has  the  right  to  dissolve  a  congregation  without  its  con- 
sent, when  deemed  proper  l)y  the  Presbytery  to  do  so. 

In  response  to  this  inquiry,  your  Committee  answers,  that  the 
General  Assembly  of  1869  []\Iinutes,  p.  34]  answered  this  ques- 
tion in  the  negative,  and  recommends  that  you  reaffirm  that  action. 
Adopted."— 1879,  p.  21. 

8.  When  may  a  Presbytery  cut  off  a  congregation  ? 

Constitution,  Section  31. — The  Presbytery  has  the  power,  for 
cause,  to  dissolve  the  relations  between  it  and  a  particular  church, 
which  shall  thereafter  cease  to  be  a  constituent  of  the  Cumberland 
Presbyterian  Church,  and  forfeits  all  rights  as  such. 

The  Presbytery  has  the  right  to  cut  off  any  congregation  under 
its  control,  and  de})rive  it  of  presbyterial  representation,  when- 
ever such  congregation  has  lieen  guilty  of  such  offense  as.  in  the 
judgment  of  the  Presbytery,  may  Justify  such  action.  Adopted. 
—1869,  p.  34. 


.'/  PARTICLLAR  CHURCH.  53 

9.  Presbyteries  should  order  whatever  pertains  to  the 
welfare  of  their  churches. 

CoNSTiTUTiox,  Sectiox  31. — The  Presbytery  has  power  in  gen- 
eral to  order  whatever  pertains  to  the  spiritual  welfare  of  the 
churches  under  its  care. 

Upon  the  Presbyteries  was  urged  the  importance  of  ordering 
whatever  pertains  to  the  welfare  of  tlieir  churcbes. — 1882,  p.  17. 

JO.  Relation  of  Board  of  Missions  to  a  mission  church. 

The  Committee  on  Judiciary  June  considered  a  paper  from 
Kansas  Presl)ytery  asking  tbe  General  Assembly  to  define  the  re- 
lation and  power  of  the  General  Assembly's  Board  of  Missions  to 
a  congregation  under  the  care  of  Presbytery. 

Under  Section  13,  "General  Regulations,"'  the  General  Assem- 
bly has  the  power,  and  it  is  perhaps  its  duty,  to  answer  such 
questions  when  properly  brought  before  it  by  an  inferior  court  of 
the  Church. 

We  therefore  recommend  that  the  General  Assembly  answer  as 
follows: 

Mission  churches  not  under  the  care  of  any  particular  Presby- 
tery are,  in  all  respects,  managed  and  controlled  by  the  Board 
of  Missions.  When  a  mission  church  is  placed  under  the  control 
of  a  Presbyter}'  and  becomes  a  constituent  thereof,  then  as  to  all 
questions  of  discipline  the  Presl)ytery  has  control,  but  as  to  the 
supplying  of  the  pulpit  the  Board  of  Missions  should  control  as 
long  as  it  remains  a  mission  church,  receiving  financial  assistance 
from  the  Board.  In  all  cases,  however,  care  should  be  taken  that 
no  friction  arises  between  the  Board  and  the  Presbytery.  Adopted. 
—1893.  p.  28. 

1  \ ,  General   Assembly  determined  the  legitimate 
congregation. 

The  undersigned,  members  of  Ohio  Synod,  have  positive  in- 
formation that,  owing  to  dissensions  in  the  Waterford  congrega- 
tion of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,  at  Beverly,  Ohio, 
in  the  bounds  of  Muskingum  Presbytery,  and  owing  to  the  failure 
of  said  Presbytery  to  meet  on  its  own  adjournment,  and  to  the 


64  J' ART  IL,   THI-:  CHURCH. 

improbability  of  its  being  able  to  call  a  qiiorum,  iinportaut  cliurcb 
interests  in  said  congregation  are  jeopardized,  there  being  an 
effort  by  a  faction  of  said  congregation  to  withhold  the  church 
property  from  the  use  and  control  of  Cumberland  Presbyterians, 
and  to  transfei'  it  to  the  Presbyterian  Church. 

Therefore,  we  respectfully  memorialize  your  Keverend  Body  to 
recognize  that  j)ortion  of  said  Waterford  congregation  represented 
by  David  Thompson,  Allen  Nickerson,  and  Thomas  Clark,  ruling 
elders,  and  H.  S.  Clark,  J.  T.  Palmer  and  Samuel  Leget,  trustees, 
as  the  identical  Cumberland  Presbyterian  church,  of  Waterford, 
and  that  as  such  they  are  entitled  to  hold  the  church  property, 
at  Beverly,  belonging  to  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church. 

Thomas  TiioiiAs, 
Ovid  Lutz, 
n.  D.  Onyett. 

"i'our  Committee  recommend  that  said  memorial  be  granted, 
and  that  the  organization  represented  by  David  Thompson,  Allen 
Nickerson  and  Thomas  Clark,  ruling  elders,  and  II.  S.  Clark,  J. 
T.  Palmer  and  Samuel  Leget,  trustees,  mentioned  in  said  memorial, 
be  and  is  hereby  recognized  by  this  General  Assembly  as  the 
true  and  legitimate  Waterford  congregation  of  the  Cuml)erland 
Presbyterian  church,  at  Beverly,  Ohio,  and  entitled  to  hold  all  the 
church  property  hitherto  owned  and  held  in  law  by  said  Waterford 
congregation,  at  Beverly,  Ohio.    Adopted. — 1872,  p.  28. 

12.  Title  to  church  property. 

"When  a  congregation  has  Ijeen  legally  organized,  and  l)y  its 
legally  constituted  board  of  trustees  purchases  and  obtains  I'eal 
estate  in  fee  simple,  upon  which  to  erect  a  church  house,  and  after- 
wards said  congregation,  together  with  its  board  ol'  trustees,  t)y 
death  or  removal,  ceases  to  exist,  does  such  real  estate  then  be- 
come the  property  of  the  Cund)erland  Presbyterian  Church  at 
large?  If  so,  where  does  the  power  to  sell  and  convey  such  property 
exist?" 

This  is  purely  a  legal  (juestion,  which  must  be  decided  by  the 
courts  of  each  State  in  which  the  jiroperty  may  l)e  situated,  and 
although  a  probably  correct  answer  might  be  premised  u]ion  the 
principles  of  the  common  law,  yet  it  would  be  wiser  and  safer  in 


A  PARTICLLAR  CHURCH.  55 

all  questions,  concerning  the  title  to  church  property,  to  api)ly  to 
the  temporal  rather  than  the  spiritual  courts. 

The  Assembly  said,  further  [Minutes,  page  24],  that  "the  title 
to  the  property  depends  upon  the  s])ecific  terms  of  the  instrument 
creating  it,  and  the  statutory  regulations  of  the  State  of  the  I^nion 
where  the  property  may  he  situated,  and  the  same  general  answer 
applies  to  the  vesting  and  transfer  of  title  in  all  cases."  Adopted. 
—1808,  ]).  23. 

A  question  is  raised  hy  the  records  l)efore  us  in  regard  to  the 
legal  owners  of  the  church  house  and  grounds.  It  appears  that 
the  title  is  vested  in  trustees,  and  it  is  supposed  that  they  claim 
the  right  to  control  the  use  and  occu])ation  of  the  church  house. 

Your  Committee  deem  it  due  to  the  church  whose  interest  is 
involved  in  this  question,  to  express  an  opinion  on  this  subject,  in 
order  that  the  General  Assembly  may  make  a  deliverance  which 
may  be  calculated  to  quiet  apprehensions  on  the  part  of  weak 
churches  when  threatened  in  tliis  way. 

We  give  it  as  our  opinion,  that  trustees  holding  the  title  to 
church  property  cannot  turn  it  over,  or  api)ropriate  it  to  any  other 
use  than  that  for  which  it  was  vested  in  them,  and  that  they  can-, 
not  exchtde  the  church  from  its  use  and  occupation  for  religious 
worsliip. 

Your  Committee  are  not  acquainted  with  the  laws  of  Kentucky 
on  this  subject,  ])Ut  their  oi)inion  is  l)ased  on  general  principles. 
It  is  greatly  to  be  regretted,  and  is  a  source  of  sorrow,  no  dou1)t, 
to  the  Christian,  and  especially  to  our  branch  of  the  Church, 
that  such  serious  diffictdties  as  these  records  show,  should  s])ring 
lip  among  professed  Christians,  upon  so  slight  a  cause. 

Your  Committee  recommend  })atience.  and  forbearance,  and 
faithful  service,  and  devotion  to  ])rinciple,  and  reliance  on  the 
Spirit  of  Almighty  God,  to  bring  the  Madisonville  Church  out  of 
difficulties  which  seem  to  environ  it  at  this  time.  Adopted. — 
1876,  p.  30. 

The  memorial  of  "West  Prairie  Presbytery  requests  that  such 
rules  and  regulations  be  adopted  by  the  General  xlssembly  as  will 
secure  to  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  churches  in  all  the  States 
the  title  in  perpetuity  of  all  property,  real  and  personal,  used  and 
to  be  used  by  the  churches  for  church  and  educational  purposes. 


m  PART  II.,   THE  CHl'RCH. 

Your  Committee  find  much  difficulty  in  devising  any  rule  and 
regulation  on  this  subject  that  will  apply  to  all  the  States,  for  the 
reason  that  the  right  and  power  to  acquire,  hold,  and  use,  and 
dispose  of  such  pro])erty  for  such  use  and  purpose,  depends  upon 
the  law  of  the  State  in  which  tlie  same  is  situated,  and  upon  which 
there  is  no  uniform  rule  in  the  different  States;  and  not  having 
the  laws  of  the  different  States  before  the  Committee,  so  as  to 
ascertain  as  neai-ly  as  may  be  what  lules  and  regulations  may  be 
made  with  reasonable  uniformity,  your  Committee  recommend 
that  you  appoint  a  committee  of  three  members  of  the  Church,  of 
legal  attainments,  whose  diity  it  shall  be  to  correspond  with  one 
or  more  legal  men  in  each  State  occupied  by  our  Church,  or  other- 
wise ascertain  the  laws  uf  tbe  different  States,  and  to  formulate 
such  rules  and  regulations  as  may  1)cst  secure  the  title  in  perpetuity 
acquired,  or  to  be  hereafter  ac([iiii('(l.  for  tbe  use  and  1)enefit  of  the 
Cum1)erland  Presbyterian  Chuich.  for  clnircli  and  educational  pur- 
poses, and  report  the  same  to  the  next  meeting  of  the  General  As- 
sembly.    A(lo]ited. — fS.ST,  p.   13. 

The  Moderator  a})pointed  on  the  Committee  })rovided  for  in  the 
foregoing  re])ort,  l\uling  Elders  li.  A.  Hill,  John  Frizzell,  J.  P. 
Allen.— 1887.  \^.  14. 

The  Committee  a])i)ointed  by  the  General  Assembly  in  1887  to 
investigate  titles  to  church  ])roperty  presented  the  following  report, 
which  was  adopted: 
To  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church: 

The  Committee  appointed  l)y  the  General  Asseml)ly,  at  its  stated 
meeting  May,  188T,  to  "ascertain  the  laws  of  the  different  States, 
and  to  formulate  such  rules  and  regulations  as  may  best  secure  the 
title  in  perpetuity  acquired,  or  to  be  hereafter  acquired,  for  the 
use  and  benefit  of  the  Cuml)erla.nd  Presbyterian  Church,  for  church 
and  educational  purposes,"  aiul  report,  etc.,  beg  leave  to  report: 

That  there  is  probably  no  oiu'  method  which  can  be  made  ap- 
plicable in  all  the  States,  as  the  laws  of  the  States  are  not  uniform. 
The  nearest  approach  to  uniformity  which  occurs  to  the  Com- 
mittee, as  the  result  of  our  investigation,  is  that  where  it  can  be 
done  under  the  laws  of  the  State  where  the  property  is  situated, 
the  title  to  all  our  church  and  denominational  school  property  be 
vested  in  our  General  Assembly's  Board  of  Trustees,  and  that  when 


^  PARTICrLAR  CHURCH.  57- 

this  cannot  be  done,  on  aceouni  ul'  said  Board's  being  a  corpor- 
ation foreign  to  the  State  in  whic-li  the  properly  is  situated,  tiie 
Board  be  instructed  to  have  itself  incorporated  in  such  States. 
where  this  can  be  done,  and  where  the  doing  so  will  confer  upon 
the  Board  the  needed  power. 

We  recommend  that,  to  facilitate  the  making  of  deeds  to  said 
Board,  and  ascertaining  its  powers  in  this  respect,  said  Board  be 
directed  to  furnish  for  puljlication  in  the  Appendix  to  the  General 
Assembly  Minutes  a  copy  of  its  act  of  incorporation  granted  by  the 
legislature  of  Kentucky. — 1889.  pp.   18.   19. 

Resolved,  1.  That  a  standing  Committee  be  created  by  this  Gen- 
eral Assembl}',  to  be  known  as  the  "Committee  on  Church  I'rop- 
ert}^"  which  Committee  shall  be  charged  with  the  duty  of  gathering 
information  and  statistics  throughout  the  Ijuunds  uf  the  Church 
regarding  vacant  church  property.  That  the  Presbyteries  be  en- 
joined to  appoint  standing  committees  of  like  character,  which  shall 
carefully  investigate  the  condition  of  churches  that  have  not  had 
a  pastor  or  stated  supply  for  six  months  or  more,  and  also  that  all 
other  churches  find  one  in  whom  the  legal  title  to  the  property  is, 
by  whom  it  is  controlled,  and  the  causes  that  prevent  its  success- 
fid  operation:  that  such  information  in  a  condensed  and  statistical 
form  be  transmitted  to  the  Chairman  of  the  Standing  Committee 
of  the  General  Assembly  for  its  information  and  action. 

2.  That  the  Presbyteries  appoint  a  committee  to  get  an  abstract 
of  all  church  property  within  their  bounds,  so  as  to  be  able  to  know 
and  heal  all  defects  that  may  be  in  claim  of  title.  Adopted. — 1889, 
p.  52. 

The  Committee  on  Judiciary  have  considered  the  paper  re- 
ferred to  them  from  Eev.  X.  J.  Crawford,  in  relation  to  the  title 
to  church  property  in  the  Indian  Territory,  and  recommend  the 
adoption  of  the  following  resolution: 

Resolved,  That  the  General  Assembly's  Board  of  Trustees  be.  and 
they  are  hereby,  requested  to  look  after  the  property  in  the  In- 
dian Territory  belonging  to  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church 
or  in  which  it  has  an  interest,  and  to  take  such  action  as  may  seem 
best  to  preserve  the  same  to  the  Church  and  for  its  use.  Adopted. 
—1893,  p.  28. 


68  PART  II.,   THE  CHL'RCII. 

III.    CHURCH  MEMBERS. 

CoNSTiTUTiOK,  Sectjox  i. — A  particular  church  consists  of  a 
number  of  professing-  Cliristiaus  voluntarily  associated  together 
for  Divine  worship  and  godly  living.,  agreeably  to  the  Holy  Scrip- 
tures, and  submitting  to  a  certain  form  of  government. 

Constitution,  Section  3. — The  inianl  children  of  believers 
are,  through  the  covenant  and  by  right  of  birth,  entitled  to  baptism, 
to  pastoral  oversight,  to  instruction,  and  to  tlie  care  of  the  church, 
with  a  view  to  their  embracing  Christ,  aiul  thus  possessing  per- 
sonally all  the  benefits  of  the  covenant. 

All  baptized  persons  should  receive  the  watchful  care  and  in- 
struction of  the  church,  even  though  they  are  adults,  and  have 
made  no  profession  of  faith  in  Christ.  Those  only  who  have 
made  a  profession  of  faith  in  Christ  are  entitled  to  all  the  rights 
and  privileges  of  the  church. 

1.  Admission  of  persons  into  the  church. 

CoNSTi'iunox.  Section  27. — It  is  the  duty  of  the  Session  to 
receive  memt)ej's  into  t!ic  clnnx'h. 

DiitECTOKY  FOR  WORSHIP,  SECTION  21. — In  publicly  receiving 
new  members  into  the  church  on  profession  of  their  faith  in 
Christ,  the  following  is  recommended  as  a 

Form  of  Chnrrli  ('nrriianl. 

Let  the  candidates  for  membershi})  rise,  and  the  minister  pro- 
pound to  them,  severally,  the  following  questions,  to  be  answered 
in  the  affirmative: 

I.  Ho  you  receive  the  Scriptures  of  the  Old  and  the  Xew 
Testament  as  the  Word  of  God,  the  only  infallible  rule  of  faith 
and  practice? 

IT.  Have  you  ex]>erienced  that  you  were  a  condemned  and 
helpless  sinner,  and,  so  far  as  you  know  your  own  heart,  have 
von  believed  in  Christ  as  an  all-suf!icient  Savior,  realizing  that 
God.  for  Christ's  sake,  has  pardoned  your  sins? 


CHURCH  MEMBERS.  59 

III.  Will  you  earnestly  strive  to  avoid  the  follies  and  vices  of 
the  world,  to  increase  in  knowledge,  to  grow  in  grace,  and  to  live 
henceforth  for  Christ? 

W .  Do  you  promise  to  aljide  by  and  support  the  rules  and 
regulations  of  the  Cumbciland  I'rcsbyterian  Church  so  long  as 
you  may  be  a  niembci-  thercol;  to  be  faithful  in  your  attendance 
at  the  ptiblic  religious  services  in  the  congregation,  including  tlie 
prayer  meetings,  as  Cod  may  give  yoti  health  and  strength,  en- 
deavoring to  keep  the  unity  of  the  Spirit  in  tbc  bond  of  peace;  to 
love  your  brethren  in  the  Lord;  to  act  toward  them  with  kindness 
and  justice;  to  judge  with  candor,  and  adnioni:<]i  with  charity? 

A'.  As  you  consecrate  yourself  to  God.  you  also  consecrate  your 
stibstance;  and  being  his  steward,  do  you  promise  to  contribute 
of  that  substance,  as  he  may  prosper  you.  to  tlic  siijjjiort  of  the 
Gospel  ? 

After  answering  these  (piestions  in  the  affirmative,  the  appli- 
cants for  membership  should  be  baptized,  unless  they  have  pre- 
viously received  that  sacramer.t;  and  the  minister  should  deliver  a 
charge,  suitable  to  the  occasion,  to  the  newly-received  members 
and  to  the  congregation. 

This  form  of  Cliurcli-covenant  is  not  to  suj)ersedc  the  examina-. 
tion  of  applicants  by  the  church  Session. 

EuLES  OF  Discipline.  Section  9G. — When  a  member  shall  re- 
move fi'om  one  church  to  another,  he  shall  ])roduce  satisfactory 
testimonials  of  his  church-membership  and  dismission  before  he 
can  be  admitted,  unh^ss  the  church  Session  has  other  satisfactory 
means  of  information. 

Directory  i^or  Worship,  Section  22. — In  publicly  receiving 
members  into  the  church  by  letter,  the  following  form  is  recom- 
mended : 

Let  the  minister  make  proper  announcement  of  the  name  and 
former  church  relation  of  tlie  persons  to  be  received,  and  then 
ask  them  to  stand  at  their  respective  places  in  the  audience,  or  at 
the  altar  of  the  church,  as  he  may  prefer.     He  may  then  say: 

Having  already  confessed  Christ,  you  to-day  renew  your  coven- 
ant with  God.  and  transfer  your  membership  to  this  church.  May 
God  give  you  grace  to  honor  him  and  to  promote  the  spread  of 
the  Gospel,  the  peace  of  the  Church,  and  the  salvation  of  souls. 


m  PART  II.,   THE  CHURCH. 

Let  the  minister  liere  call  upon  all  the  members  to  rise,  and 
lie  may  then  say  to  the  newly  admitted  members,  whether  by  letter 
or  on  profession  of  faith: 

We,  the  officers  and  iiieinbers  of  this  clinrch,  do  now  affec- 
tionately welcome  you  to  membership  and  fellowship  in  this  Chris- 
tian household;  and  we  devoutly  pray  that  God  may  make  you 
happy  and  useful  in  the  new  relation  which  you  have  assumed. 

And  now  may  the  God  of  peace,  that  brought  again  from  the 
dead  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  that  great  Shepherd  of  the  sheep, 
through  the  blood  of  the  everlasting  covenant,  make  you  perfect 
in  every  good  work  to  do  his  will,  working  in  you  that  which 
is  well  pleasing  in  his  sight,  through  Jesus  Christ,  to  whom  be 
glory  forever  and  ever.    Amen. 

2.  Jurisdiction  over  church  members. 

CoNSTiTUTJox,  Section  T. — Original  jurisdiction  in  relation  to 
.  .  .  church  members  ])ertains  to  the  church  Session. 

KuLES  OF  Disc'ii'LiXE,  SECTION  96. — Members  when  dismissed 
shall  be  under  the  jurisdiction  of  the  church  Session  dismissing 
them,  until  they  shall  be  admitted  into  some  other  church. 

3.  Letters  of  dismission. 

C^ONSTiTUTJOX.  Section  2T. — It  is  the  duty  of  the  Session  to 
grant  letters  of  dismission,  which,  when  given  to  parents,  shall 
always  include  the  names  of  their  baptized  children. 

Rules  of  Discipline,  Section  100. — No  certificate  of  dismis- 
sion, from  either  a  church  Session  or  a  Presbytery,  shall  be  valid 
testimony  of  good  standing  for  a  longer  period  than  one  year; 
and  such  certificate,  given  to  persons  who  have  already  removed, 
shall  state  the  standing  of  the  person  only  to  the  time  of  removal. 

Resolved,  That  as  a  means  to  avoid  the  frequent  loss  of  member- 
ship to  our  Church  by  removal,  we  recommend  that  our  ministers, 
upon  the  i-emoval  of  any  member  from  within  their  charge,  shall 
immediately  notify  tlie  pastor  of  the  church  at  the  point  to  which 
the  member  or  members  may  remove,  giving  such  information 
concerning  the  removing  member  as  may  be  of  interest.  Adopted. 
—1890,  p.  29. 


CHURCH  MEMBERS.  61 

An  evil  which  has  grown  up  in  many  places  in  our  Church, 
is  the  failure  of  members  moving  out  of  one  community  into 
another  to  remove  their  membership.  Therefore,  we  recommend 
that  you  ask  your  Presbyteries  to  instruct  their  ministers  and 
Sessions  to  give  letters  to  their  members  removing  into  the  bounds 
of  anotlier  Church,  and  that  they  notify  the  pastor  or  Session  into 
whose  community  such  members  remove  of  this  fact.  Adopted. 
— 189r,  p.  45. 

4.  Causes  without  process. 

lU'LEfv  OF  Discipline,  Sections  (33,  64. — When  a  member  shall 
make  his  offense  known  to  the  church  Session,  a  statement  of  the 
fact.i  shall  be  recorded,  and  judgment  rendered  without  process. 

6J.  When  a  member  shall  jirofess  before  the  church  Session 
an  unregenerate  heart,  or  may,  for  any  reason,  desire  to  cease  to 
bu'  a  member  of  the  church,  and  no  charges  are  pending  against 
him,  the  court  may  retire  his  name  from  the  roll,  record  the 
facts,  and,  at  its  option,  announce  them  publicly.  However, 
this  action  shall  not  be  taken  until  the  church  Session  lias  ascer- 
tained, after  due  inquiry,  that  the  conduct  of  the  member  is  not 
the  result  of  temptation  or  transient  darkness  of  spirit. 

"When  a  church  member,  against  whom  there  is  no  charge 
of  immoral  or  irreligiotis  conduct,  and  whose  moral  character  is 
such  that  there  is  no  ground  for  any  such  charge,  requests  the 
church  Session  to  erase  his  name  from  their  church  book,  liave 
they  a  right  to  grant  his  request?" 

In  the  opinion  of  your  Committee,  they  liave.  Adopted. — 
1859,  p.  20. 

5.  Names  retired  upon  a  separate  roll. 

EuLES  OF  Discipline,  Section  97. — If  a  church  member  shall 
remove  beyond  the  bounds  of  the  church  to  which  he  belongs, 
and  for  one  year  shall  neglect  to  call  for  a  letter  of  dismission, 
his  name  may  be  retired  upon  a  separate  roll,  of  whicli  due  record 
shall  be  made. 

Your  Committee  on  Judiciary  respectfully  submit  the  follow- 
ing report: 


62        •  PART  II.,   THE  CHURCH. 

They  have  had  Ijcfore  them  a  memorial  requesting  3-011  to 
"make  a  deliverance  as  to  whether  a  congregation  ma)^  drop  from 
its  roll  absent  or  inetficient  mem1)ers."  and  also  as  to  how  a  con- 
gregation without  a  church  Session  should  proceed  to  accomplish 
the  same  ohject. 

Your  Committee  recommend  that  you  rejjly: 

1st.  That,  without  grounds  other  than  absence  or  inelficiency, 
a  congregation  has  no  right  to  droj)  a  member  from  its  roll;  but 
in  case  of  absence  for  a  year  or  more  without  calling  for  a  letter, 
his  name  may  be  retired  upon  a  separate  roll,  as  decided  by  a 
former  General  Assemlily. 

2d.  That  without  the  interposition  of  a  church  Session  a  per- 
son's membershi])  in  the  church  cannot  be  disturbed.  Adopted. 
—1883,  p.  27. 

6.  A  member  may  withdraw. 

In  the  opinion  of  lliis  General  Assembly,  it  is  the  privilege 
of  any  member  of  our  Church,  against  whom  no  charge  of  im- 
morality has  been  preferred,  to  withdraw,  and  he  has  the  right  to 
change  his  ecclesiastical  connection;  and  whenever  such  change 
is  voluntarily  made  by  any  member,  there  is  no  longer  any  ec- 
clesiastical jurisdiction  claimed  by  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian 
Church  over  such  member,  nor  has  such  member  any  claim  upon 
the  church  from  which  he  has  voluntarily  withdrawn.  Adopted. 
— 1848,  p.  17.  The  foregoing,  however,  was  reconsidered  and  in- 
definitely postponed.— 1848,  pp.  20,  21. 

7.  Session  alone  can  deprive  individuals  of  membership. 

The  Presbj'tery  has  not  tbe  right  to  dissolve  a  congregation  so 
as  to  deprive  individuals  belonging  to  it  of  church  membership, 
this  being  the  province  of  the  Session.     Adopted. — 1869,  p.  34. 

Without  the  interposition  of  a  church  Session  a  person's  mem- 
bership in  the  church  cannot  be  disturbed.    Adopted. — 1882,  p.  27. 

8.  Power  to  restore  a  suspended  Church  member. 

The  Assembly  gave  a  negative  answer  to  the  following  ques- 
tion: When  a  church  Session  shall  have  suspended  a  member  from 


CHURCH  iVEMBERS.  63 

the  communiou  of  the  church,  uutil  he  gives  evidence  of  repent- 
ance, can  the  cliureh  Session  of  any  other  congregation  legally 
restore  such  a  member  to  the  communion  of  the  Cumberland  Pres- 
byterian Church,  especially  when  that  member  still  lives  in  the 
midst  of  said  congregation  where  such  suspension  took  place? — 
18G0,  p.  74. 

9.  May  a  suspended  member  lead  in  worship  ? 

In  answer  to  the  (piestion,  "Is  it  judicially  right  for  ministers 
habitually  to  call  an  individual  to  exercise  in  public  and  lead  in 
the  worship  of  God  while  he  is  under  legal  suspension,  until  that 
suspension  is  legally  removed?"  the  Asseml;ly  answered  in  the 
''negative." — 1860,  p.  74. 

10.  Members  should  give  of  their  means  to  support  the 

church. 

llemlved,  That  each  Session  and  Presbytery  be,  and  is  hereby, 
recommended  and  re({uired  by  reasonable  and  proportionate  as- 
sessment, or  otherwise  as  they  may  deem  Ijest  suited  to  their  cir- 
cumstances, to  bring  every  member  of  each  congregation  to  bear 
a  part  in  meeting  the  current  expenses  of  the  congregation,  and 
to  aid  the  general  enterprises  of  the  Church.  Adopted. — 1858, 
p.  79. 

n.  The  General  Assembly's  card  for  systematic 
beneficence. 

Submitted  to  every  member  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian 
Church  as  a  guide  in  the  duty  of  giving: 

1.  Toward  the  pastor's  salary  (incidental  exiienses  of  the  church 
included,    if    the    Session    directs)    J    agree    to   give    the    sum    of 

$ per  week.  ]>er  nuuith.  per  (piarter,  per  year  (mark 

out  what  is  not  needed). 

2.  For  the  general  enterprises  of  the  Church  T  will  pay,  during 
the  periods  indicated,  the  several  sums  named: 

January   and    February — Church    Erection $ 

March  and  April — Home  Missions $ 


m  PART  II.,  THE  CHURCH. 

Ma}-   and   J  uue — Education $ 

July  and  August — Synodical  Missions $ 

September  and  October — Foreign  Missions $ 

Noveml)er  and  December — Ministerial  Relief. ...   $ 

Date    ,,   181) .. .  Signed    

Place  your  otrering  in  an  envel()i)c,  indicating  name,  amount, 
;ijid  oliject  for  wbicli  it  is  given.  Deposit  in  collection  basket 
t)r  hand  to  a  deacon  or  the  Treasurer.  If  the  Lord  has  prospered 
you,  of  course  you  will  increase  the  amount  subscribed,  in  pro- 
portion, as  the  various  quarters  come  around.  If  you  are  delin- 
quent at  the  end  of  the  period,  a  collector  will  call  on  you. 

On  the  reverse  side  of  the  card  shall  be  printed  a  statement 
of  the  action  of  this  body,  and  such  other  matter  as  the  represen- 
tatives of  the  Boards  may  deem  suitable.  The  cost  of  printing 
and  distributing  these  cards  shall  be  provided  for  by  the  Boards, 
in  such  proportion  as  may  be  agreed  upon  by  them.  The  cards 
shall  be  supplied,  to  congregations  calling  for  them,  free  of  charge. 
—1895,  p.  48. 


PART  III. 
CHURCH  OFFICERS. 

Al'Jiough  no  detailed  form  of  church  govcnimeiit  is  laid  down 
in  liie  Xew  Testament,  yet  the  general  or  fundamental  })rinciples 
of  the  same  are  clearly  taught  therein. 

Under  the  ^Mosaic  dis})en.<ation.  church  goTernment  was  com- 
prised in  the  civil  government. 

During  the  captivity,  the  synagogue  system  of  worship  was 
established,  which,  after  the  ca})tivity,  was  introduced  into  Judea, 
and  was  in  general  use  at  the  coming  of  Christ.  In  the  synagogues, 
Christ  and  his  apostles  generally  taught.  (Matt.  xii.  9:  Luke 
iv.  IG;  John  vi.  59;  xviii.  20;  Acts  xiii.  5;  xiv.  1;  xviii.  4.)  The 
synagogne  was  under  the  control  of  a  minister,  ruler  (Luke  viii. 
41;  xiii.  14),  and  a  bench  (4  elders.  Xeither  Christ  nor  his 
apostles  introduced  any  radical  change  into  this  mode  of  religious 
worship  and  govei'nment.  Init  adojjfed  it  as  they  found  it.  The 
polity  of  the  synagogue  and  of  the  Jewish  ecclesiasticism  generally 
was  simply  and  purely  Presbyterian  in  form- — a  government  by 
presbyters.  This  fact  is  to  the  English  reader  somewhat  obscured 
l)y  translating  the  Greek  prcshuleras  by  the  English  word  elder. 

The  churcii  olficial  was  called  prcshuteros  (pre.sbyter),  and  an 
assembly  of  these  was  called  iircshiiterion  (Presbytery).  (Luke 
xxii.  Go;  Acts  xxii.  5;  1  Tim.  iv.  14.) 

All  apostles  were  elders,  but  all  elders  were  not  apostles. 
(1  Pet.  V.  1.)  The  apostles  had  no  successors,  as  such.  The 
chief  characteristics  of  the  apostolic  office  were  two — to  have  seen 
Christ.  an<l  to  have  been  personally  called  to  it.  (Acts  i.  21-2G.) 
Paul's  case  was  pec-nbar,  Init  it  was  not  an  exception  to  this  rule. 
(Acts  ix.  1-12;  xxii.  1-1."».)  The  apostolic  office,  in  its  technical 
sense,  therefore,  of  necessity  expired  witli  the  death  of  those  per- 
sonally called  l)y  Christ.  Others  were  called  apostles,  as  Barna- 
bas. l)ut  not  in  the  sense  of  those  appointed  by  Christ.  The 
terms  elder  and  bishop,  in  the  Xew  Testament,  denote  the  same 
office,  the  former  being  current  among  the  Jewish  and  the  latlei' 
(05) 


66  PART  III.,  CHURCH  OFFICERS. 

among  the  Gentile  Clunelus.  (Coniiiare  1  Pet.  v.  1,  and  Phil, 
i.  1.) 

The  New  Testament  recognizes  two  kinds  of  elders —  those  that 
labor  in  doctrine  and  those  that  rule.  (1  Tim.  v.  17.)  The  former 
are  invested  with  ministerial  and  also  with  governmental  func- 
tions, and  the  latter  with  governmental  only.  This  fact  puts 
both  a  clerical  and  a  lay  element  into  all  Church  courts. 

Aside  from  the  apostolic  office,  which  was  temporary,  the  pres- 
byterial  was  the  highest  known  to  the  Apostolic  Church.  Paul, 
as  a  i)resl)yter,  took  part  with  other  i)resbyters  in  the  ordination 
of  Timothy.     (1  Tim.  iv.  14;  'I  Tim.  i.  (>.) 

\Mule  the  elder,  or  jjresljyter,  is  the  highest,  it  is  also  the  lowest 
designation  of  a  church  functionary  recognized  by  the  Xew  Testa- 
ment. The  grades  in  the  ministry,  of  deacon,  elder,  bishop,  arch- 
bisho]),  etc.,  are  post-apostolic,  and  without  Scriptural  authority. 
The  deacon  is  not  a  clerical,  Imt  a  laical  functionary.  (Acts  vi.  1-6.) 
— From  Iiifnidtirfari/  Statement  on  Church  Government,  Confes- 
sion of  Faith,  pp.  7<S'.  70. 

CoNFi:ssiox  OF  Faith,  Sections  108,  109. — The  Lord  Jesus, 
as  King  and  Head  of  his  Church,  has  therein  appointed  a  gov- 
ernment intrusted  to  church  officers,  distinct  from  the  civil  gov- 
ernment. 

109.  Bv  Divine  a])])ointment  the  officers  of  the  visible  Church 
liave  the  power  to  admit  members  into  its  communion,  to  ad- 
monish, sus])end,  or  cxi^el  the  disorderly  and  to  restore  those  who, 
in  the  judgment  of  charity,  have  repented  of  their  sins. 

CoxsTiTT^rox.  Sec'TIOX  8. — The  ordinary  and  perpetual  of- 
ficers of  the  Church  are  teaching  elders  or  ministers  of  the  Word,, 
who  are  commissioned  to  preach  the  Gospel  and  admini.ster  the 
sacraments;  ruling  elders,  the  representatives  of  the  people;  and 
deacons. 

I.  MINISTEES. 

Constitution,  Sections  9-11. — The  office  of  the  ministiy  is 
the  first  in  the  Church,  both  for  dignity  and  usefulness.  The 
person  who  fdls  it  has  in  the  Scriptures  different  titles,  expressive 
of  his  various  duties.  As  he  has  the  oversight  of  the  flock  of 
Christ,  he  is  termed  bishop;  as  he  feeds  tlu>m  with  spiritual  food. 


MIiVISTERS.  67 

he  is  termed  pastor;  as  he  serves  Christ  in  his  Church,  he  is  termed 
jiiinister;  as  it  is  liis  duty  to  be  grave  and  prudeut,  aud  au  example 
to  the  flock,  and  to  govern  well  in  the  house  and  kingdom  of  Cluist, 
he  is  termed  prc-shvter  or  elder;  as  lie  is  the  messenger  of  God,  he 
is  termed  angel  of  the  Church;  as  he  is  sent  to  declare  the  will 
of  God  to  sinners,  and  to  beseech  them  to  i)e  reconciled  to  God 
through  Christ,  he  is  tenned  enil)assador;  as  he  hears  the  glad 
tidings  ul  s.ilvation  from  place  to  place,  without  having  his  labors 
confined  to  any  particular  church  or  locality,  he  is  termed  evan- 
gelist; as  he  stands  to  })roclaim  the  (i()S})el.  he  is  termed  preacher; 
as  he  expounds  the  Word,  and  by  sound  doctrine  both  exhorts  and 
convinces,  he  is  termed  teacher;  and  as  he  dispenses  the  manifold 
grace  of  God,  and  the  oi'dinances  instituted  by  Christ,  he  is  termed 
steward  of  the  mysteries  of  God.  These  titles  do  not  indicate  dif- 
ferent grades  of  ofliice.  l)ut  all  descri!)e  one  and  the  same  officer. 

10.  He  that  fills  this  ottice  shoidd  possess  a  competency  of  human 
learning,  and  be  blameless  in  life,  sound  in  the  faith,  and  apt  to 
teach;  he  should  exhibit  a  sol)riety  and  holiness  of  conversation 
becoming  the  Gospel;  he  should  rule  his  own  house  well,  and 
should  have  a  good  report  of  those  who  are  without. 

11.  As  the  Lord  has  given  dilierent  gifts  to  the  ministers  of  the 
Word,  and  has  committed  to  them  various  works  to  execute,  the 
Church  is  authorized  to  call  and  appoint  them  to  laljor  as  pastors, 
teachers,  and  evangelists,  and  in  such  other  work  as  may  be  need- 
ful to  the  Church,  according  to  the  gifts  in  which  they  excel. 

I.  Minister  versus  bishop. 

Ordered.  That  the  word  "Ijishop,"  as  it  occurs  in  the  Minutes, 
be  erased,  and  the  word  '"minister'  be  inserted. — 1850,  p.  10. 

2.  One  must  adopt  the  Confession  of  Faith  to  become 

a  minister. 

"Can  any  one  become  a  minister  and  member  of  a  Presbyter}  of 
the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church  without  a-dopting  the  Con- 
fession of  Faith  and  Form  of  Government  of  the  Church?" 

"Ai}swer:     He  cannot.     Adopted." — 1873,  p.   30. 


68  PART  III.,  CHURCH  OFFICERS. 

3.  One  minister  may  not  intrude  in  the  field  of  another 
without  his  consent. 

"Has  a  Presbytery  the  constitutional  right  to  send  an  itinerant 
minister  into  a  congregation,  to  jireach,  etc.,  which  has  a  stated 
pastor?"  "Xot  without  the  consent  of  the  pastor  and  his  con- 
gregation, nor  has  such  a  minister  any  right  to  intrude  at  his 
own  election.     Adopted." — 1853,  p.  51. 

4.  Ministers  directed  by  their  Presbyteries. 

Constitution,  Section  31. — The  Presbyters-  has  power  to  re- 
quire ministers  to  devote  themselves  diligently  to  their  sacred 
calling. 

The  General  Assembly  urged  "upon  the  various  Presbyteries 
the  importance  and  i)roprlety  of  directing  their  preachers." — 
1882,  p.  IT. 

5.  A  minister  whose  membership  is  in  one  Presbytery 
and  who  lives  in  another. 

KuLES  OF  Discipline,  Section  99. — Except  by  consent  of  the 
Synod,  ministers  shall  not  be  permitted  to  hold  membership  in 
a  Presbytery  other  than  that  in  whose  l»ounds  they  reside. 

"^How  long  mav  a  minister  retain  membership  in  one  Presbytery 
and  live  and  labor  in  the  bounds  of  another?'" 

The  General  Assembly  of  the  Church,  some  years  ago.  passed, 
a  resolution  to  the  effect,  that  if  a  minister  moved  into  the 
bounds  of  a  Presbytery,  and  remained  there  twelve  months  without 
applying  to  that  Presbytery  for  membership,  the  Presbyterj^ 
should  call  on  him  for  satisfactory  reasons  why  he  had  not  done 
so  within  that  time,  and,  if  he  failed  to  render  such  reasons,  that 
the  Presbytery  should  jiroceed  to  inquire  into  tbe  case  according 
to  the  Book  of  Discipline,  chap.  ii..  Form  of  Process  against  a 
Bishop  or  Member.  Your  Committee  are  of  the  opinion  that 
some  exceptions  might  be  made,  in  regard  to  residence  in  extra- 
ordinarv  circumstances,  by  the  consent  of  the  Presbyteries  con- 


MINISTERS.  69 

cerned. — 1866,  pp.  50,  51.  [Note. — According  to  the  Kevised 
Book,  liules  of  Discipline,  Section  !J9,  (see  above)  tiie  Synod, 
and  not  the  Presbyteries,  must  determine  this  question. — J.  V^.  S.] 

6.  Jurisdiction  over  a  dismissed  minister. 

Rules  of  Discipline,  Sectiox  98. — When  a  Presbytery  shall 
dismiss  a  minister,  licentiate,  or  candidate,  he  shall  remain  under 
the  jurisdiction  of  the  Presbytery  thus  dismissing  him,  until  he 
shall  be  received  by  another. 

Is  a  minister,  while  holding  a  letter,  under  the  jurisdiction 
of  tbe  Presl)ytery  which  gave  such  letter? 

Your  Committee  are  of  opinion  that  a  minister,  in  such  a 
case,  is  amenable  to  the  Presbytery  granting  the  letter. 

Is  the  holder  of  such  a  letter  to  be  considered  a  member  of 
the  Presbytery  which  granted  the  letter? 

Your  Committee  are  of  o}»inion  that  when  such  minister  is 
dismissed  from  Pres1)ytcry  he  has  no  further  right  as  a  Presbyter 
in  its  council.     Adopted. — 1859,  p.  -fO. 

7.  A  minister  in   transitu   cannot  sit  as  a  member  of 

Synod. 

Is  the  holder  of  such  a  letter  a  member  of  the  Synod  com- 
posed in  part  of  the  Presb^'tery  granting  the  letter? 

Your  Committee  are  of  the  opinion  that,  when  a  member  with- 
draws from  PresbyteiT,  his  name  is  discontinued  on  tlie  records  of 
Presbytery;  as  the  roll  of  Synod  is  made  up  from  the  records 
of  the  Presbytery,  the  Synod  could  not,  therefore,  recognize  said 
minister  as  a  memlier.     Adopted. — 1859,  p.   11. 

Can  a  minister  holding  a  letter  of  dismission  and  recommenda- 
tion from  one  of  the  Presbyteries  composing  a  Synod,  be  ad- 
mitted to  a  seat  as  a  member  of  said  Synod? 

Ansirc-r. — The  memorialists  are  referred  to  the  Minutes  of  the 
General  Assemldy  of  1859.  for  an  answer  to  the  above  question. 
Adopted.— 18v3.  pp.  13.  14. 


70  J'ART  III.,   CHURCH  OFFICERS. 

Has  a  minister,  regularly  disiiiissed  iruni  the  Presbytery,  will) 
the  letter  in  his  possession,  a  right  to  a  seat  in  the  Synod  to 
which  he  formerly  belonged? 

We  answer,  he  has  no  right  to  a  seat  in  the  Presbytery  or 
Synod;  though  he  is  amenable,  for  moral  eonduct,  to  the  Pres- 
b3'tery  from  which  he  received  his  letter.     Adopted. — 18()6,  i).  51. 

8.  A  minister  in  a  Presbytery  with  a  letter  from  it. 

What  relation  does  a  minister  sustain  to  a  Presl)ytery,  who 
remains  within  its  bounds,  having  a  letter  of  disnussion  and 
recommendation  fi'om   tiie  same? 

Answer. — In  LS.")U  the  (General  Assembly,  at  p]vansville,  In- 
diana, gave  answer  to  this  question.  It  will  Ijc  found  on  pages 
40  and  41  of  tlie  ]\linntes,  to  which  the  Committee  refer  all 
concerned. — IS'Il.  p.  :l^). 

9.  Ministers  must  attend  Synod. 

Our  Form  of  (Jovernment  defines  ])laiuly  the  several  judica- 
tories of  our  Church,  re({uiring  pr(mi))t  attention  thereto,  a  dis- 
regard for  which  inevital)ly  lead.-~  to  anarcliy.  To  reach  delin- 
quent membeis  of  Synod,  your  Comnuttee  I'ecommend  that  the 
several  Synods  under  your  care  iccpiiie  each  Presbytery  to  hold 
its  memhers  amenable  for  non-attendance  at  Synod.  The  reasons 
rendered  shall  he  spread  on  the  minutes  of  Presl)ytery.  hut  no 
reasons  shall  be  sustained  unless  the  hindering  c<vuses  named 
were  providential.     Approved. — 1851,  ]).   ^3. 

JO.  Relation  of  a  suspended  minister  to  Presbytery. 

"'What  relation  docs  a  suspended  minister  sustain  to  the  Pres- 
bytery suspending  him?" 

He  is  amenable  to  the  Presbytery  suspending  him.  but  de- 
prived of  all  the  privileges  and  functions  jiertaining  to  the  min- 
isterial office.     Adopted. — ISfiT,  p.  83. 

"Has  a  suspended  minister  of  the  Gospel  a  right  to  exercise 
himself  in  any  of  the  functions  of  the  ministry  while  he  is  under 
susnension:  and  if  so.  to  what  extent?" 


J\IIXISTERS.  71 

Your  Committee  are  of  opinion  he  has  not.  Adopted. — 1859, 
p.  xJU. 

''How  ought  a  minister,  suspended  fioiu  the  functions  of  his 
office,  to  be  treated  Ijy  his  Presbytery?" 

With  kindness,  endeavoring  to  bring  liim  to  repentance. 
Adopted. — 1858,  p.   33. 

U.  Restoring  a  suspended  or  deposed  minister. 

KuLEs  OF  DiscirLtxic,  Sectiox  41. — A  suspended  or  deposed 
ministe]'  shall  not  be  restored,  however  penitent  he  may  appear, 
until  he  shall  exhibit,  for  a  satisfactory  period,  such  an  exemplary, 
humble,  and  edifying  walk  and  convei-sation  as  sliall  heal  the 
wound  made  by  his  offense.  A  de])osed  minister  shall  not  be 
restored  until  it  appears  that  tlie  general  sentiment  of  the  Church 
demands  the  same,  and  then  only  by  the  court  inflicting  the  cen- 
sure, or  with  its  consent. 

Rules  of  DisriPLiNE,  Section  G2. — In  proceedings  to  restore 
a  suspended  or  deposed  minister,  it  is  the  duty  of  the  Presbyteiy 
to  exercise  great  caution — first  admitting  him  to  the  communion, 
if  he  has  been  debarred  the  same,  then  granting  him  the  privilege 
of  preaching  for  a  season  on  pro1)ation,  to  test  the  sincerity  of 
his  repentance  and  ])rospect  of  usefulness,  and  finally  restoring 
him.  However,  the  case  shall  be  regarded  as  under  consideration 
imtil  the  order  of  restoration  has  been  made. 

We  [Oregon  Presbytery]  ask  you  to  declare  that  a  minister 
under  censure  cannot  be  constitutionally  restored  without  con- 
fession, repentance,  and  exem])lary,  humble,  edifying  conversation, 
to  heal  the  wound  made  by  his  scandal. 

The   Assem1)ly  answered:      "He   cannot." — 1863.   p.    77. 

The  General  Assembly  expressed  the  opinion  that  a  suspended 
or  deposed  minister  cannot  be  rectored  by  any  other  than  the 
judicatory  which  sus))ended  (.^r  deposed  him,  unless  by  the  con- 
sent of  such  Judicatory. — 1866.  p.   ')2. 

Besolved,  unanimously,  that  wlien  a  minister  of  the  Gospel 
is  deposed  by  duo  form  of  process  foi-  anv  offense  cognizable  by 


72  PART  III.,  CHURCH  OFFICERS. 

our  Fomi  of  Government  and  Discipline,  such  deposition  docs 
not  nialce  null  and  void  his  ordination,  and  that  when  such  deposed 
minister  be  restored  to  the  exercise  of  his  ministerial  function  it 
can  be  done  only  by  confession  and  corresponding  }>enitence  ])e- 
fore  the  Presbyter}'  which  deposed  him;  or  hy  having  ()l)tained 
a  new  trial,  and  ])roving  himself  clear  of  the  charges.  Adopted. 
—1849,  p.  49. 

12.  A  minister  may  demit  his  office. 

The  Eed  Eiver  Presl)ytery  ])ropoiinded  the  following  question: 
Has  a  minister  the  right  to  surrender  his  credentials  to  his  Pres- 
bytery? And  does  the  Presbytery,  by  accepting,  annul  all  his 
juinisterial  functions,  thei'e  heing  no  charge  which  can  be 
brought  against  said  ministei'? 

Answered  in   the   affirmative. — 1872,   p.    "iO. 

13.  Suspension  cannot  be  removed  while  an  appeal  is 

pending. 

"Is  it  riglit  and  pro])or.  ami  has  a  I'resbytery  the  ])ower,  to 
remove  the  susiiension  of  a  suspemled  minister  while  a  regular  ap- 
peal in  his  case  is  pending  befoi'c  a  higher  judicatory?" 

in  the  0])inion  of  your  Committee.  Presbytery  has  no  such 
power.     Approved. — 1859,  p.  20. 

14.  Right  of  a  member  or  a  minister  to  withdraw. 

The  General  xVssembly  adopted  the  following: 
In  the  opinion  of  this  General  Assembly,  it  is  the  privilege 
of  any  member  or  minister  of  our  Church,  against  whom  no 
charge  of  immorality  has  been  preferred,  to  withdi'aw.  and  lie 
has  the  right  to  change  his  ecclesiastical  connection;  and  when- 
ever  such  change  is  voluntarily  nuide  by  any  member  or  minister, 
there  is  no  longer  any  ecclesiastical  jurisdiclion  claimed  by  the 
Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church  over  such  meml)er  or  minister, 
nor  has  such  member  or  minister  any  claim  upon  the  Church 
from  which  he  has  voluntarily  withdrawn.  For  it  is  certain  that 
if  he  separates  himself  from  our  Church,  and  ])laces  himself  under 


M/\/S'fERS.  73 

the  care  and  juiisdiction  nf  aiiotlier.  by  sucli  act  he  dissolves 
the  former  ecclesiastical  connection  and  jurisdiction,  and  by  his 
own  election  he  ])laces  hiniseli'  nnder  the  jurisdiction  of  an- 
other ecclesiastical  court;  and  the  only  action  which  the  C'hureh 
can  take  in  such  cases  is.  to  uiake  an  entry  on  the  records, 
showing  the  fact  of  withdrawal,  stating  the  reason  for  such  action; 
and  if  odium  attaches  to  any  one,  it  must  l)e  to  \\m\  who  thus 
dissolves  the  connection,  and  not  to  the  Church  whose  authority 
is  no  longer  acknowledged. — 1848.  i)p.  IT,  18.  The  foregoing, 
however,  was  reconsidered  and  indefinitely  ])ost]ioned. — 1848,  pp. 
20,  21. 

15.  Directory  of  ministers. 

With  regard  to  the  i)etition  of  Columbia  Synod,  3'our  Com- 
mittee believe  the  object  desirable,  and  therefore  recommend  that 
the  Stated  Clerk  of  each  Presbytery  furnish,  annually, the  addresses 
of  its  ministers  to  the  Stated  Clerk  of  the  (Jeneral  Assembly, 
which  shall  be  ai)i)ended  to  the  jjrinted  ^linutes  of  the  Assembly. 
Adopted.— 1851,  p.  23. 

16.  Roll  of  deceased  ministers. 

Jiesolrech  That  the  Moderator  ap])oint  a  Committee  on  Deceased 
Ministers,  whose  duly  it  shall  l)e  to  ascertain  how  many  and  who 
of  our  ministerial  brethren  have  died  during  the  past  ecclesiastical 
year.     Adopted. — 1S70.  p.  11. 

17.  A  woman  may  not  be  ordained  to  the  ministry. 

Mrs.  L.  M.  Woosley,  having  presented  hei-  credentials  as  a  min- 
isterial delegate  from  Xolin  Pres])ytery.  in  the  Synod  of  Kentucky, 
her  right,  under  the  Constitution,  to  take  her  seat  as  a  delegate 
was  challenged  by  Rev.  J.  S.  Grider.  D.D.,  on  whose  motion  it 
was  determined  that  the  Moderator  slioidd  ap]ioint  a  committee 
of  five  to  report  upon  the  question  of  ]\ii-s.  Woosley's  eligibility. 
The  following  members  were  ap])ointed  upon  said  Committee: 
Kuling  Elders  H.  H.  Buquo  and  L.  P.  Padgett,  and  Revs.  W. 
II.  Pdack,  D.D.,  D.  K.  Bushnell.  D.D..  and  J.  L.  (ioodknight,  D.D. 
—  18;i4.  p.  r. 


74  PART  JIL.   CHURCH  OFFICERS. 

The  Special  Committee  on  the  eligibility  of  Mrs.  L.  ^I.   Woos- 
lev  to  a  seat  in  the  General  Assembly  reported  as  foHows,  and 
the  report  was  adopted: 
To  the  ]\[oderator  and  Members  of  the  General  Assembly. 

Your  S])ecial  Committee,  appointed  to  investigate  and  report 
iqjon  the  rights  of  Mrs.  L.  M.  Woosley  to  a  seat  in  this  body  as 
commissioner  from  Xolin  Presbytery,  in  the  Synod  of  Kentucky, 
beg  leave  to  report  the  following:  We  have  nothing  regularly 
before  us  excei)t  the  commission  of  Mrs.  Woosley,  which  api)ears 
to  be  regular;  but  we  are  advised  that  the  Synod  ol"  Kentucky, 
since  the  election  of  ^Iis.  AWjosley  as  such  commissioner,  under- 
took to  declare  sucb  election  null  and  void,  and  that  from  said 
action  of  the  Synod  .Mrs.  Woosley  prosecutes  an  ajipeal  to  tliis 
General  Assenil)ly:  and  also  tbat  Xolin  Presbytery  has  memorial- 
ized this  body  to  review  and  reverse  the  action  of  the  Synod. 
Therefore,  without  expressing  any  ojnnion  as  to  the  merits  of  the 
case,  we  recommend  tliat  no  action  be  taken  on  this  reference,  but 
tliat  the  same,  together  with  the  aiipeal.  memorial,  and  record 
in  the  case,  when  received  by  the  (xeneral  Assem1)ly.  be  referred 
to  the  Judiciary  Committee  for  consideration,  with  instructions 
to  report  as  early  as  ])ractical)le. — 1894,  p.  9. 

The  Committee  on  Judiciary  submitted  Majority  and  ^Minority 
reports.     The  Majority  rei)ort,  wliich  was  ado|)Ted.   (]i.   29)  is  as 
follows: 
To  the  Moderator  and  Mendjers  of  the  General  Assembly. 

In  the  matter  of  the  appeal  of  Mrs.  L.  M.  Woosley  from  the 
action  of  the  Synod  of  Kentucky;  of  the  memorial  of  Xolin  Pres- 
bytery, in  the  Synod  of  Kentucky,  touching  the  action  of  the 
Synod  of  Kentucky  relative  to  the  licensure  and  ordination  of  Mrs. 
L.  M.  Woosley  to  the  full  work  of  the  Gosjiel  ministry;  and  of 
the  right  of  ]\Irs.  L.  ^1.  Woosley  to  a  seat  in  this  General  x\ssembly 
as  a  commissioner  from  the  Xolin  Presbytery,  in  the  Synod  of 
Kentucky,  on  the  part  of  the  ministry,  your  Committee  desire  to 
submit  the  following  report: 

At  its  meeting  in  1889  Nolin  Presbytery  ordained  jMrs.  P.  ]M. 
Woosley  to  the  full  work  of  the  Gospel  ministry. 

At  the  meeting  of  the  Synod  of  Kentucky  in  1890,  tlie  Synod 
declared  and  adjudged  that  there  was  no  nutbority,  either  iii  the 


jMLXISTEA'S.  75 

Confession  of  Faith  or  the  Holy  ScriiJlures,  for  tlie  ordination  of 
a  woman  to  the  work  of  tlie  Gospel  ministry,  and  furtlier  deckircd 
that  the  Xoiin  Presbytery  had  no  authority  to  ordain  Mrs.  L.  M. 
Woosley  to  the  Gospel  ministry. 

At  the  meeting  of  Xolin  Presbytery,  in  Angaist,  1893,  it  elected 
Mrs.  L.  M.  Woosley  an  alternate  commissioner  to  this  General 
Asseml)ly,  on  the  2)art  of  the  ministry. 

At  the  meeting  of  Iventucky  Synod,  in  October,  1893,  after 
reciting  the  former  deliverances  of  the  Synod  touching  the  or- 
dination of  a  woman  to  the  Gospel  ministn',  said  Synod  reaffirmed 
its  former  rulings,  and  declared  that  Xolin  Presbytery  had  no 
authority,  in  view  of  the  former  deliverances  of  the  Synod,  for  the 
election  of  Mrs.  L.  M.  Woosley  as  an  alternate  commissioner  to  the 
General  Assembly,  on  the  jiart  of  the  ministry,  and  declared  her 
election  null  and  void,  and  directed  >s'olin  Presbytery  to  retire 
her  name  from  its  list  of  ministers. 

From  this  action  of  the  Synod  ^Irs.  AVoosley  prays  an  appeal  to 
this  General  Assembly. 

Xolin  Presbytery  declined  to  obey  the  mandate  of  the  Synod, 
and  memorializes  this  General  Asseudjly  to  review  and  reverse 
the  action  of  the  Synod. 

Your  Committee  are  of  opinion  that  the  action  of  Xolin  Pres- 
byter}' in  ordaining  ^Irs.  L.  M.  Woosley  to  the  Gospel  ministry  is 
contrary  to  the  universal  and  long  established  precedents  and 
practices  of  the  Cundierland  Presbyterian  Church. 

We  submit — 

1.  Under  the  Confession  of  Faith  of  the  Cumberland  Presby- 
terian Church,  in  its  Constitution  and  Rules  of  Discipline,  there 
is  no  provision  made  for  the  licensure  and  ordination  of  a  woman 
to  the  work  of  the  Gospel  ministry. 

2.  In  the  opinion  of  your  Connnittee,  there  is  no  authority  in 
the  Holy  Scriptures  for  the  licensure  and  ordination  of  a  woman 
t-o  the  work  of  the  Gospel  ministry. 

3.  The  action  of  Xolin  Presbytery  in' ordaining  Mrs.  L.  M. 
Woosley  to  the  work  of  the  Gospel  ministry  was  without  authority 
of  the  Holy  Scriptures,  and  without  authority  of  the  Constitu- 
tion, Rules  of  Discipline,  and  Confession  of  Faith  of  the  Cum- 
berland Presbyterian  Church,  and  such  ordination  was  and  is  null 
and  void. 


7(;  PART  ///.,  CHURCH  OFFICERS. 

\.  The  action  of  llie  Synod  of  Kenlucky  in  declaring  said  or- 
dination vvitliout  authority  from  tlie  Confession  of  Faitli  or  tiie 
Holy  Scriptnres,  was  and  is  ]'igln  and  correct. 

'■).  The  order  of  tlie  Synod  of  Kentuclvy,  instructing  ^'oliii 
Presbytery  to  retiie  the  name  of  Mrs.  L.  M.  W'oosk'v  from  its 
list  of  ministers,  was  rigiit  and  proper,  and  sliould   be  athrmect. 

We  recommend  thai  tlie  appeal  of  Mrs.  Woosley  be  dismissetl, 
and  that  the  action  of  the  Synod  of  Kentucky  be  ratilied  and 
allirmed,  and  that  the  memorial  of  Xolin  Presbytery  be  not 
granted,  and  that  ^Irs.  J.,.  M.  Woosley  i)e  not  seated  as  a  mem- 
ber of  this  (jienci'al  Assemldy.  for  the  reason  that  she  is  not  a 
regularly  ordained  minister  of  the  Cumberland  l^resbyterian 
Church.— 1891,  i)p.  Tl,  ^-6. 

The  Nolin  Pi'csliytery  memorialized  the  General  x\sseml)ly  (of 
1895)  to  re-open  the  case.  After  due  consideration  the  Assembly 
answered  as  Ijelow: 

This  (picstion  came  before  the  (General  Assend)ly  of  189-1,  upon 
the  memorial  of  Xolin  Presbytery  and  the  appeal  of  ^Irs.  Woosley. 
and  was  adjudicated  by  that  l)ody  u])on  the  record  sulunitted,  and 
was  there  impleaded  by  re})resentatives  of  the  i)arties,  thus  waiving 
all  right  to  cpieslion  the  General  Assembly's  want  of  jurisdiction. 
That  General  Asst'mbly  took  jurisdiction  of  the  case,  uj)on  the 
a])i)lication  of  these  parties  as  above  stated,  and,  after  full  hearing, 
gave  it  final  issue  by  refusing  Mrs.  Woosley  a  seat  in  the  General 
Assend)ly  as  commissioner  from  Xolin  Presbytery,  and  by  alfirm- 
ing  the  order  of  Kentucky  Synod  u])on  jSTolin  Presbytery  to  re- 
tire her  name  from  its  roll  of  ministers,  on  the  ground  of  the 
invalidity  of  Mrs.  AVoosley's  ordination  as  a  minister  in  the  Cum- 
bciland  Presl)yterian  Church.  Your  Committeemen  submit  that 
a  fundamental  condition  of  the  seeking  of  any  kind  of  relief  in 
the  courts  of  our  Church,  is  first  submitting  to  the  authority  of 
the  Church,  as  ex])ressed  in  our  written  law  and  the  injunctions 
of  com])etent  judicatories.  "Those  who  have  not  sulnnitted  to 
a  regular  ti'ial  are  not  entitled  to  appeal,"  Discipline,  Art.  80. 
''Any  member  of  the  church  submitting  to  its  authority,  may 
com])lain  against  every  kind  of  decision  except  where  an  appeal 
has  been  taken."'  Discipline,  Art.  80.  The  Constitution,  Art.  4, 
describes  church  nuMidiei's  as  those  "sulimittina-  to  a  cei-tnin  form 


RULING  ELDERS.  77 

of  government.'*'  In  Art.  31  it  empowers  the  Presbytery  "to 
see  that  the  injunctiuns  of  the  higher  eourts  are  obeyed,"  and  in 
Art.  ?i\  it  directs  the  Synod  "to  take  effectual  care  that  the 
Presbyteries  obserye  the  government  of  the  Cliurch.  and  that 
they  ()l)ey  the  injunctions  of  the  liiglier  courts.""  Under  General 
Ee^iew  and  C  ontrol.  Disci])line.  Art.  (i!).  it  is  made  a  matter  of 
examination,  "'whether  the  injunctions  of  the  superior  courts  have 
been  o1)eyed.""  Art.  84.  Kules  of  r)isci})Iine:  "In  considering  an 
ajipeal,  the  folloAving  order  shall  l)e  oliserved:  1.  x\scertaining 
whether  the  appellant  lias  conducted  it  regularl5^"  The  regu- 
larity of  an  a.j)i)eal  involves  suhniission  to  a  regular  trial.  The 
regularity  of  any  otliei'  form  of  ]»rayer  for  relief  certainly  cannot 
involve  less  than  the  same  obedience.  On  the  face  of  the  case 
before  us.  the  Xolin  Presbytery  has  utterly  refiised  to  obey  the 
injunctions  of  the  comts  in  this  very  case  in  hand,  and  therefore 
the  said  Presljytery  is  rendered  ineligible  to  ask  legal  redress; 
and  therefore  the  memorial  shoidd  be  dismissed. 

Yv'e  submit,  secondly,  that  no  ])rovision  is  made  in  our  laws 
for  one  General  Assend)ly  to  re-open  a  case  adjudicated  by  a 
former  General  Assembly.  Pules  of  l)iscii)line.  Art.  67:  ''Every 
decision  made  by  any  Church  court,  excejit  the  highest,  is  subject 
to  tbe  review  of  a  su])erior  eourt.""  The  Presbyterian  Church 
holds  that  "the  decision  of  one  General  xVssembly  cannot  be  re- 
viewed by  a  subsequent  General  Assembly.  There  cannot  be  a 
I'emedy  after  the  last,  a  court  higher  than  the  highest.""  "A 
case  leing  once  judicially  decided  by  our  General  Assembly,  the 
decision  is  final."  See  Hodge's  Church  Polity,  pp.  502.  .503. 
The  Presbyterian  General  Assembly  of  1847  refused  to  re-open  a 
case  passed  upon  by  the  General  Assembly  of  1845.  All  recognize 
that  there  must  be  an  end  of  litigation.  There  is  no  better 
])lace  to  end  it  than  where  our  Constitution  prescribes  that  it  shall 
end.  Therefore,  for  tliis  reason  also,  the  memorial  should  be 
dismissed. 

And  we  recommend  tbat  said  memorial  of  tlie  Xolin  I'res- 
l)ytery  be,  and  is  hereby,  dismissed. — 1S95.  ])]i.  3G,  37. 

II.  PULING  kldp:es. 

CoNSTiTUTiOK,  Sectiox  17. — Ruling  elders,  the  immediate 
repi-esentatives  of  the  people,  are  chosen  bv  tbem,  that,  in  eon- 


78  PART  III.,  CHURCH  OFFICERS. 

junction  witli  the  ministers,  they  may  exercise  government  and 
(lisci})line,  and  take  the  oversight  of  tlie  sj)iritual  interests  of  the 
jjai-tici.Iar  clmrch,  and  also  of  the  C'hmx-h  generally,  when  called 
thereunto.  It  appertains  to  their  office,  both  severally  and  jointly, 
to  watch  diligently  over  the  flock  committed  to  th.eir  charge,  that 
no  corruption  of  doctrine  or  of  morals  enter  therein.  Kvils  which 
they  cannot  correct  l)y  ])rivate  admonition  they  should  l)ring  to 
the  notice  of  the  church  Session.  They  shoidd  visit  the  people 
at  their  homes.  es])ecially  the  sick:  they  should  instruct  the  ignor- 
ant, comfort  the  mourner,  nourisli,  giia]'(K  and  instruct  the  chil- 
dren of  the  church;  and  all  those  duties  which  jn-ivate  Christians 
are  hound  to  discliarge  liy  the  law  ol'  charity  are  es])ecially  in- 
cumhent  upon  them  hy  Divine  vocation,  aiul  are  to  l)e  discharged 
as  official  (hities.  They  shoiild  ]>ray  witli  and  for  the  people;  they 
should  1)0  careful  and  diligent  in  seeking  the  fruit  of  the  preached 
Word  among  the  thick,  and  should  iuforni  the  minister  in  charge 
of  cases  of  sickness,  affliction,  and  awakening,  and  of  all  others 
which  may  need  his  S])ecial  attention. 

1.  Who  should  be  elected  ruling  elders? 

CoNSTiTL'Tiox.  Sectigx  IS. — 'I'hose  who  fill  this  office  ought 
to  he  blameless  in  life  and  sound  in  the  faith;  they  should  he 
men  of  wisdom  and  discretion,  and  by  the  holiness  of  their  walk 
and  conversation  should  be  examples  to  the  flock. 

CoNSTiTC'i'iox,  Sei'TION  46. — Do  you,  the  members  of  this 
church,  acknowledge  and  receive  this  brother  as  a  ruling  elder; 
and  do  you  ])i'omise  to  yield  him  all  that  honor,  encouragement, 
and  obedience  in  the  Lord  to  which  his  office,  according  to  the 
Word  of  God  and  the  government  of  this  church,  entitles  him? 

(f)  Deliverance  of  1891. 

The  Committee  on  Judiciary  respectfully  rejiort  that  they  have 
carefully  considered  the  memorial  from  the  Presbytery  of  Oxford, 
lierewith  returned,  requesting  this  General  Assembly  "to  consider 
and  record  a  deliverance  on  the  question  as  to  whether  a  woman 
may,  under  any  circumstances,  be  ordained  and  installed  to  the 
office  of  ruling  elder,"  and  respectfully  reconuncnd  that  in  accord- 


Rci.ixc  /■:/./)/■: A' s.  79 

ance  with  the  Constitution  of  the  Cuniiierland  Presbyterian  Church 
you  declare  that  a  woman  may  not  be  ordained  and  installed  to 
the  office  of  ruling  elder. — 1891,  p.  11. 

[Note. — By  some  oversight,  the  record  does  not  say  in  so  many 
words  that  the  foregoing  report  of  the  Judiciary  (Committee  was 
adopted.  But  the  presumption  is  that  the  reiiort  was  adopted,  in- 
asmuch as  the  Clerk  received  no  instructions  to  record  a  lost  reso- 
lution, according  to  ruli-:s  of  okder,  section  18.  which  reads: 
■^'He  (the  Clerk)  will  not  record,  unless  required  by  the  judicature, 
any  motion  or  resolution  not  adopted."  The  following  statement 
of  Kuling  Polder  E.  E.  Beard,  ^Moderator  of  that  Assembly,  and 
Eev.  J.  M.  Hubbert,  D.D.,  then  Assistant  Clerk,  now  the  Stated 
Clerk  of  the  Assembly,  establishes  the  fact  that  the  report  was 
adopted:  '"We  certify  that  the  General  Assembly  of  1891  did 
adopt,  by  a  large  majorit}^,  Report  No.  1  of  the  Committee  on 
Judiciary,  recorded  on  page  11  of  the  Minutes,  recommending  that, 
in  accordance  with  the  Constitution  of  the  Cumberland  Presby- 
terian diurch,  you  declare  that  a  woman  may  not  be  ordained  and 
installed  to  the  office  of  ruling  elder." — J.  V.  S.] 

(2)  Deliverance  of  1892. 

The  special  order  was  taken  up,  wiiich  was  the  report  of  the 
Committee  on  Judiciary,  whereupon  a  majority,  also  a  minority, 
report  was  submitted,  touching  the  eligibility  of  a  woman  to  the 
office  of  ruling  elder,  and  pending  the  discussion  of  said  report, 
its  further  consideration  having  been  made  the  special  order  for 
9  o'clock  to-morrow  morning,  the  General  Assembly  adjourned 
and  closed  with  prayer. 

The  General  Assembly  resumed  the  consideration  of  the  report 
of  the  Committee  on  Judiciary,  whereupon  the  minority  report 
was  adopted  by  the  following  vote,  the  yeas  and  nays  having 
been  called:     Total  yeas.  105.     Total  nays.  90. — 1892,  p.  21. 

Your  Committee  on  Judiciary  report  that  they  have  carefully 
considered  the  memorial  from  Eushville  Presbytery,  together  with 
the  report  of  the  Committee  on  Judiciary  of  the  last  General 
Assembly,  recorded  in  the  Minutes  of  that  body  (p.  11),  all  seek- 
ing a  deliverance  on  the  question  as  to  whether,  under  any  circum- 
stances, a  woman  may  be  ordained  and  installed  to  the  office  of 
ruling  elder;  and  we  respectfully  reconnnend  that  you  declare  that, 


80  PART  III.,  CHURCH  OFJ-ICERS. 

under  the  Constitution  of  the  C'ninl)ei'lan(l  Prcsljyterian  Chuich,  a 
woman  may  not,  nnder  any  circumstances,  l)e  ordained  and  in- 
stalled to  the  office  of  Euling  Elder. 

The  undersigned,  a  minority  of  your  Committee  on  Judiciary, 
to  whom  was  I'eferred  the  memorial  from  Iiushville  Presbytery, 
together  with  the  report  of  the  Committee  on  Judiciary  oi  the  last 
CJeneral  Assembly,  recorded  in  the  Minutes  of  that  body  (p.  11), 
all  seeking  a  deliverance  on  the  question  as  to  whethei'.  under  any 
circumstances,  a  woman  may  he  ordained  and  installed  as  ruling- 
elder,  would  most  respectfully  tender  this  minority  re])ort,  dis- 
senting very  resi)ectfully,  hut  also  very  earnestly,  from  the  report 
and  recommendations  of  the  majority. 

The  only  ground  upon  which  the  report  of  tlie  majority  can 
stand  is,  that  the  Constitution  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian 
Church  does  not  affirmatively  provide  that  women  may  be  ordained 
as  ruling  elde]-s.  The  minority  insists  that  this  construction  does 
violence  to  the  genius  of  the  government  and  the  s])irit  of  the 
Constitution  of  our  Church.  It  is  here  insisted  that  the  proper 
construction  of  the  organic  law  of  our  Church  is,  that  any  and 
every  thing  ])t'rtaining  to  the  local  government  of  individual  con- 
gregations, and  conducive  to  the  spiritual  welfai-e  and  happiness 
of  such  congregations,  or  the  individual  meinbers  of  the  same, 
may  he  done  by  tiiem.  unless  it  is  contrary  to  the  teachings  of  the 
Holy  Scri])tures  or  prohibited  by  the  Constitution. 

There  being  no  such  |)rohibitory  law  against  the  ordination  and 
installation  of  women  as  ruling  elders,  the  minority  respectfully 
recommends  that  your  Reverend  l»ody  declare  that  the  same  may 
he  done  where  it  shall  appear  needful. — 1892,  ]>.  24. 

The   following  ])rotest  was   entered   against  the   action   of   the 
General  Assendily  in  adopting  the  Minority  Ee})ort  of  the  Com- 
mittee on  Jiidiciaiy: 
To  the  Gener;il  AssemUy  of  the  Cumherland  Presbyterian  Churcli. 

in  session  in  the  city  of  Memphis,  Tenn.,  May,  1892:    . 

We,  the  undersigned,  respectfully  enter  our  solemn  protest 
against  the  action  of  the  General  Assembly  in  the  adoption  of  the 
minoritv  re[)ort  of  the  Judiciary  Committee  wherein  the  eligibility 
of  w(unan  to  (u-dination  and  to  a  seat  in  om-  Church  judicatories 
is  affii-med,   for  the   following  reasons: 


RULING  ELDEA'S.  81 

1.  The  decision  of  the  General  Assembh'  introduces  an  innova- 
tion into  cliurcli  polity,  and  especially  into  that  i)art  of  it  repre- 
sented hy  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church.  For  seventy- 
five  years  the  denomination  has  existed  and  [)rosecuted  its  work 
without  even  the  agitation  of  the  question,  much  less  the  attempt 
to  carry  it  into  effect  by  a  formal  decree  of  the  General  Assembly. 

2.  The  action  of  the  General  Assembly  is  clearly  unconstitu- 
tional, in  whatevei'  light  the  Constitution  as  a  document  nuiy  be 
regarded. 

(a)  If  regarded  as  a  document  loiifrrriiii/  ])o\vcr.  that  power  must 
be  shown,  not  by  ambiguous  construction.  !)ut  l)y  express  state- 
ment as  a  just  and  necessary  consequence. 

(b)  If  regarded  as  a  document  UiuUinn  ])o\vei\  then  the  fact  that 
men  alone  are  mentioned  in  si)eaking  of  the  office  precludes  the 
ordination  of  a  woman  to  it,  esjvecially  since  women  are  mentioned 
in  section  28  of  the  Constittition  in  contradistinction  to  men. 

3.  Since  the  action  of  the  General  Assembly  changes  a  constitu- 
tional rule,  it  has  assumed  to  do  that  which  belongs  of  right  solely 
to  the  Presbyteries  of  the  Chui'ch.  and  is  an  assumption  of  authority 
unwarranted  by  the  Constitution  of  the  Church,  and  is  a  breaking 
down  of  the  only  safeguard  that  a  minority  can  have  against  the 
action  of  a  nuijority. 

■i.  Since  it  is  a  constitutional  question,  the  action  of  the  General 
Assembly  in  making  such  a  change  is  a  nullity. 

5.  We  therefore  protest  against  siu-h  action  as  wrong  on  grounds 
of  expediency  and  the  Constitution  of  tbc  Church.  We  sav  noth- 
ing of  other  considerations,  but  refer  to  the  question  as  it  occurs 
in  the  said  minority  report.  As  loyal  sons  of  the  Church  we  enter 
this  protest,  and  ap})eal  to  the  Presl)yteries  of  the  Church  to  jus- 
tify us  in  doing  so  by  taking  the  necessary  steps  to  protect  them- 
selves in  the  enjoyment  of  their  constitutional  rights  and  pre- 
rogatives. 

Very  respectfully, 
W.  H  Berry,  S.  K.  Feemster, 

J.  VJ.  Crudgington,  T.  A.  Cowan, 

J.  A.  McKamy,  G.  W.  Montgomery, 

W.  R.  Grafton,  M.  E.  Chappell, 

J.  H.   HOUX,  A.  C.  BiDDLE, 

A.  J.  Haynes,  J.  W^  Laughlin, 

6 


82 


PART  III.,  CHURCH  OFFICERS. 


R.  D.  Shook, 

J.  H.  Carl, 

E.  Iv.  B.  McClellan, 

J.   S.   IvISH, 

H.  A.  Jones, 
J.  E.  Garvin, 

W.  F.  SiLVEUS, 

J.  H.  B.  Hall, 
E.  B.  Carter, 
J.  P.  Russell, 

E.  L.  McGowAN, 
W.  J.  Holder, 
I.  D.  Steele, 

J.  T.  Barbee, 

F.  M.  Newton. 


A.  D.  Stroud, 
W.  H.  McDonald, 
E.  D.  Pearson, 
J.  A.  Ward, 
R.  S.  Matthews, 
w.  a.  ausbun, 
John  M.  Dunn, 
W.  H.  Landis, 
P.  M.  Riley, 
C.  P.  Taliaferro, 
Daniel  Couch, 
J.  R.  Alexander, 
W.  H.  Smartt, 
E.  G.  McLean. 

—  l<S!)-<;.  pp.  4G,  47. 


(3)   Deliveuance  of   IHit.'i. 
(a)  A   woman  seated  in   llic  Ge-neral  Assemhl[/  us  a   ruling  elder. 

Ill  1893  Mrs.  P.  L.  Clagett  presented  to  the  Ueiieral  Assembly 
a  coniinission  from  Nolin  Presbytery,  showing  that  she  liad  been 
elected  by  that  Presbytery  to  represent  it,  on  the  jjart  of  the  elder- 
ship, whereupon  the  Assembly  took  the  following  action: 

Your  Committee  ajjpointed  to  pass  upon  the  eligibility  of  Mrs. 
P.  L.  Clagett  to  a  scat  in  the  Cleneral  Assembly,  as  a  representative 
of  !^olin  Presbytery,  would  re^jort  that,  in  view  of  the  expression 
of  the  last  (reneral  Assembly  (see  Minutes  of  1892,  p.  24),  Mrs. 
Clagett  is  entitled  to  a  seat  as  a  delegate.  AVe  therefore  recom- 
mend that  hei'  name  ))e  enrolled  as  a  commissioner  from  Xolin 
Presbytery. 

Your  Committee  do  not  desire  to  be  understood  as  passing  upon 
the  legal  or  constitutional  aspect  of  this  (lucstion,  Ijut  act  in  view 
of  the  jirevious  deliverance  of  this  body. 

As  a  minority  of  your  Committee  on  Credentials,  to  whom  was 
referred  the  question  of  tbo  eligibility  of  Mrs.  P.  L.  Clagett  to  a 
seat  in  this  General  i\ssend)ly,  as  a  commissioner  from  iSTolin  Pres- 
bytery, the  undersigned  desires  to  submit  a  report  at  issue  with 
the  majority  report  on  this  question. 

1.  The  minority  would  take  issue  with  the  majority  as  regards 


RULING  ELDERS.  83 

their  declaration  that  they  do  uot  pass  upon  tlie  constitutional 
aspect  of  the  question.  The  question  came  to  the  Committee  solely 
upon  the  constitutional  aspect  of  it.  No  question  is  raised  as  to 
form  of  the  credentials  in  the  case. 

2.  The  minority  would  also  take  issue  with  the  majority  as  re- 
gards the  validity  of  their  recommendation,  in  that  the  ruling  of 
the  Ceneral  Assembly  of  181);;?  (Minutes,  }).  'i.\),  upon  which  it  is 
based,  is  itself  in  abeyance  by  the  re-opening  of  the  question,  as 
indicated  by  the  following  facts: 

(1)  ^^  the  protest  of  W.  H.  Berry,  et  a/.,  spread  upun  the  Min- 
utes of  the  General  Assembly  of  1892  (p.  46)  by  its  consent,  con- 
taining this  appeal:  "As  loyal  sons  of  the  Church  we  enter  this 
protest  and  appeal  to  the  Presbyteries  of  the  Church  to  justify  us 
in  doing  so  by  taking  the  necessary  steps  to  protect  themselves  in 
the  enjoyment  of  tlieir  constitutional  rights  and  prerogatives." 

(2)  x\cting  u})on   tins  view  Presbyteries  .come   to   this 

General  Assembl}',  asking  a  nev.^  hearing  and  a  new  deliverance 
upon  the  construction  of  the  constitution  itself. 

(3)  These  notices  are  in  the  possession  of  the  General  Assem- 
bly from  the  date  of  filing  with  its  Stated  Clerk.  These  memorials 
are  the  only  recourse  left  to  the  Presbyteries  to  protect  themselves. 
The  General  Assembly's  own  admission  of  this  protest  gives  the 
necessary  consent  to  the  re-opening  of  the  question. 

(4)  It  is  in  reality  now  before  the  General  Assembly  for  the 
first  time  with  a  concrete  case  to  give  the  body  indisputable  juris- 
diction upon  the  constitutionality  of  the  question,  in  addition  to 
being  before  it  with  tenfold  more  emphasis  even  upon  memorials 
than  it  was  a  year  ago,  when  only  one  Presbytery  asked  a, de- 
liverance. 

Therefore,  in  view  of  the  intention  of  the  framers  of  the  Con- 
stitution, as  shovrn  by  its  language  and  the  uniform  practice  for 
two  generations,  the  minority  would  respectfully  recommend  that 
this  General  Assembly  declare  that,  under  the  Constitution  as  it 
stands,  women  are  not  eligible  to  be  made  ruling  elders,  and  that, 
therefore,  our  sister,  Mrs.  Clagett,  is  ineligible  to  a  seat  as  a 
commissioner. 

In  accordance  with  the  recommendation  of  the  majority  report, 
the  name  of  Mrs.  P.  L.  Clagett  was  enrolled  as  a  Commissioner 
from  the  Nolin  Presbytery. — 1893,  p.   14. 


84  PART  in.,  CHURCH  OFFICERS. 

[b)  I'rupuaed  iiinendineiiis  tu  the  CoiisliUilioii. 

lu  respouse  tu  certain  memorials  toiicliing  tlie  ''woman  elder- 
sliip"  question,  the  (ieneral  Assembly  sent  down  to  the  Presby- 
teries two  sets  of  proposed  amendments  to  the  Constitution.  They 
are  as  follows: 

Your  L'ommittee  have  carefully  considered  the  various  memorials 
submitted  to  them,  asking  deliverances  on  the  questions  of  the 
eligibility  of  women  to  the  olhces  of  ruling  elder  and  deacon,  and 
also  for  or  against  the  deliverance  made  at  Memphis  in  l<Si.)^,  on 
tins  subject,  and  would  most  respectfully  report  the  following  pre- 
amble and  icst)lutioiis  as  a  |)ro})er  solution  to  this  question,  to  wit: 

]Vhereat<,  There  exist  throughout  the  l)0unds  of  our  dcnunhua- 
tion  honest  and  earnest  difi'erences  of  opinion  as  to  the  eligiljility 
of  women  to  the  otliccs  of  ruling  elder  and  deacon,  and  also  con- 
cerning the  I)inding  effect  of  the  deliverance  on  that  subject,  made 
by   the  General   Assembly   in  Memphis  in   1892;  therefore   be  it 

Besulved,  V>\  this  (ieneral  Assembly,  in  order  to  settle  said  matters 
in  a  manner  satisfactory  to  the  whole  Church,  l)ut  without  intending 
hereby  to  give  an  expression  pro  or  con  touching  this  question, 
the  following  two  sets  of  amendments  to  the  Constitution  be  and 
are  hereby  siduuitted  to  the  Presbyteries  for  their  adoption  or  re- 
jection, to  be  voted  on  and  reported  to  the  Stated  Clerk  of  the 
General  Assembly  by  or  before  the  meeting  of  the  General  As- 
sembly of  1894,  to  wit: 

First  set  of  proposed  amendments — 

That  sections  eighteen  (18)  and  twenty  (20)  of  the  Constitution 
be  amended  by  substituting  the  word  ''persons'*  for  the  word  "men." 

That  section  twenty-three  (23)  of  the  Constitution  be  amended 
by  striking  out  the  same,  as  it  now  stands,  and  inserting  in  lieu 
thereof  the  following: 

"'Any  member  of  the  Church,  male  or  female,  of  mature  age, 
and  in  full  communion,  shall  be  eligible  to  the  office  of.  riding 
elder  or  deacon.'' 

Second  set  of  proposed   amendments — 

That  section  eighteen  (18).  second  clause,  bo  amended  l)y  strik- 
ing out  the  word  "men""  and  inserting  in  lieu  thereof  the  words 
"males  only;"  and  that  section  twenty  (20),  first  clause,  be  amended 
by  striking  out  the  word  "men"  and  inserting  in  lieu  thereof  the 
words  "males  only." 


RULING  ELDERS.  85 

Besolved,  further.  Tluit  the  dift'erent  ohure-hes  are  hereby  re- 
quested not  to  ordain  other  female  ruUn,u-  eklers  until  final  action 
on  these  amendments  l)e  taken. — 1893.  p.  34. 

[Note. — The  Constitution,  Section  60,  provides  that  "upoii  the 
recommend  a  Ho  It  of  the  (n-neral  Assembly,  at  a  stated  meeting,  by 
a  two-thirds  vote  of  the  members  thereof  voting  thereon,  the  Con- 
fession of  Faith,  Catechism,  Constitution,  and  Kules  of  Discipline, 
mav  be  amended  or  changed  when  a  majority  of  the  Presbyteries, 
upon  the  same  being  transuiitted  for  their  action,  shall  approve 
thereof."  It  will  be  noted  that  the  General  Assembly  did  not 
recommend  either  one  of  the  proposed  amendments  as  preferable 
to  the  other. — J.  Y.  S.] 

(4-)   J)klivi-:kaxci<:  of  1894. 

The  report  of  the  Stated  Clerk  of  the  General  Assembly  con- 
cerning the  change  of  the  Constitution  of  the  Church  relative  to 
the  election  of  women  to  the  offices  of  ruling  elder  and  deacon, 
together  Avith  the  vote  of  the  Presbyteries  upon  the  same,  has  been 
submitted  to  us.  Upon  examination  of  said  papers  we  find  that 
the  proposition  for  the  change  has  been  lost,  the  vote  standing  as 
follows:  For  the  first  amendment,  15;  for  the  second  amendment, 
33;  against  any  change,  o6.  Presbyteries  not  voting,  22. — 1894, 
p.  5G. 

The  Committee  (Ui  Judiciary  to  whom  was  referred  the  menu)rial 
from  Marshall  Presbytery,  and  the  complaint  of  Rev.  J.  A.  Mc- 
Kamy,  touching  the  submission  of  an  amendment  to  the  Constitu- 
tion on  the  woman  eldershij)  ([ucstion,  report  that  the  same  have 
been  considered  and  we  respectfully  recommend  that  youi-  Pcverend 
Body  take  no  further  ste])s  at  this  time  toward  submitting  such 
amendment.     Adoj)ted. — 1894,  p.  44. 

(5)  Deliverance  ix   1S9(). 

Your  Committee  on  ^linutes  of  Indiana  Synod  report  that  we 
have  carefully  examined  the  manuscript  minutes  for  the  year  1895. 
The  minutes  show  that  the  Synod  is  in  hearty  and  active  symjiathy 
with  all  the  interests  and  enterprises  of  the  Church.     Your  Com- 


86  PART  III..   CHTRCH  OFFICERS. 

mittGe  note  the  following  violation  of  the  Constitution  of  the 
riuireh:  ^Irs.  S.  K.  llnrt  was  admitted  as  a  representative  from 
the  risgah  con.u'reaation.     Approved. — 189G,  ]i.  03. 

(d)   J)i:livei;axck  ix   1897. 

In  the  matter  of  the  minutes  of  189(5  of  the  Kansas  S3'nod,  it 
appeal's  that  ]\Irs.  Sr^uirus  was  allowed  a  seat  in  said  Synod  as  a 
ruling  elder. 

This  Committee  is  rec^uested  by  this  Assem])ly  to  pass  upon  the 
legality  of  such  action  on  the  i)art  of  said  Svnod. 

The  jux'siniiplidii  of  law  is  always  in  favor  of  the  regularity  of 
the  action  of  a  court  having  jurisdiction  over  the  subject  matter, 
unless  someihiug  appears  allirmatively  in  the  record  to  siiow  that 
the  court  exceeded  its  authority.  The  iiresumption  is.  therefore, 
in  this  case,  that  the  church  Session  had  duly  ordained  Mrs.  Squires 
as  an  elder.  The  Kansas  Synod,  in  this  instance,  was  not  a  dele- 
gated Ijody,  Init  was  composed  of  ministers  and  elders  sent  directly 
from  the  Session  of  each  church  in  the  Synod.  There  is  nothing 
before  this  Committee  to  show  when  Mrs.  Squires  was  ordained  as 
an  elder.  The  ])resuuiption  is  that  she  had  proper  credentials  or 
she  would  not  have  been  allowed  to  sit  in  the  Kansas  Synod.  If 
she  had  been  ordained  as  an  elder  by  her  own  church  authorities, 
we  know  of  no  juethod  provided  in  our  Constitution  by  which 
either  this  body  or  the  Kansas  Synod  can  undo  the  work  of  the 
church  Session  in  her  .case. 

Therefore,  in  the  matter  of  seating  Mrs.  Squires,  the  Kansas 
Synod  had  no  alternative,  if  she  came  with  })roi)er  credentials, 
which  is  conclusively  presumed,  nothing  to  the  contrary  a])pearing. 

AVe  find  no  error  or  apparent  irregularity  in  the  action  of  the 
Kansas  Synod  in  this  regard.     Adopted. — 189T.  ]i.  B8. 

(7)  Laid  ox  the  Table  ix  1898. 

The  Committee  on  Judiciary  submitted  the  following  Majority 
and  Minority  reports,  which  were  discussed  at  length,  and  then 
both  reports  were  laid  on  the  table: 

(a)  MA.ropjTY  HEi'oirr. 

To  THE  Gex'ET^al  Assembly:  The  Judiciary  (*ommittee,  to 
whom  was  referred  the  protest  of  IJed  Oak  Tresbytery.  recpu^sting 


RCLIXU  J'lLDERS.  87 

a  review  of  the  action  of  the  General  Assemhly  of  1897,  wherein 
said  Assembly  sustained  the  action  of  Kansas  Synod  in  seating 
Mrs.  Squires  as  a  member  of  that  Synod,  re})ort  as  follows: 

While  a  majority  of  this  Committee  believe  that  under  our  law 
•<x&  it  now  is  women  are  not  eligible  to  the  eldership.  Me  lind  that 
the  ({uestion  of  woman's  eligil)ility  lo  the  eldership  is  still  much  in 
doubi  and  that  the  Church  is  divided  as  to  what  the  law  on  this 
(luestion  is  at  this  time,  there  having  been  conflicting  deliverances 
on  this  (luestion  by  former  General  Assemblies.  We  are  of  oi)in- 
ion  that  one  General  Assembly  eannot  review  the  action  of  a  former 
General  Assemljly.  Therefore,  in  furthei'ance  of  the  i)eace  and 
unity  of  the  Church,  we  recommend  that  this  Assend)]y  make  no 
deliverance  on  this  question,  but  that  the  following  amendment 
to  oui'  Constitution  be  submitted  l)y  this  Assend)ly  to  the  Presby- 
teries for  their  action: 

Resolved,  That  Section  18  of  the  Constitution  be  amended  by 
adding  thereto  the  following: 

AVomen  are  eligilde  to  the  ofhce  of  elder,  so  that  said  section,* 
when  amended,  shall  read  as  follows: 

Section  18.  "^'Tliose  wlu)  fill  this  otlice  ought  to  be  blameless  in 
life  and  sound  in  faith.  They  should  be  men  of  wisdom  and  dis- 
cretion, and  hy  the  holiness  of  their  walk  and  conversation, 
should  be  examples  to  the  flock;  women  are  eligihle  to  the  office 
of  elder." 

The  Preshyteries  are  required  to  act  on  said  amendment  as  soon 
as  practicable,  and  before  the  next  meeting  of  the  General  As- 
semhly, and  at  once  to  rejiort  their  action  to  the  Stated  Clerk, 
who  shall  record  the  vote  and  ])resent  the  same  to  the  next  General 
Assemhly. 

(b)    >fIXORITY  REPORT. 

BuETiiREX  OF  THE  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY:  We,  the  undersigned 
members  of  your  Committee  on  Judiciary,  beg  to  dissent  from  the 
opinion  of  the  majority  of  our  brethren  on  this  Committee,  as 
expressed  in  its  Majority  Report,  touching  the  paper  coming  from 
Red  Oak  Presbytery,  entitled  "Protest  Against  an  Action  of  the 
Assembly,"  and  most  respectfully  offer  the  following  Minority 
Report: 

1.   In  the  oi)inion  of  the  minoi'itv  of  said  Committee,  the  laws 


88  PART  JIL,   CI IL'KCH  OFFICERS. 

ol'  our  Cliiireli  provide  lor  no  siieli  proceeding  or  protest  as  the 
paper  in  (jueslion^,  lo  wit:  A  prole&t  of  a  l'resb3tery  against  a 
decision  of  the  General  Assembly,  brought  in  this  way  to  tliis 
body,  and  that  therefore  tliis  body  has  no  jurisdiction. 

2.  Even  if  tlio  same  were  authorized  by  law  in  other  respects, 
it  is  not  couched  in  temperate  or  respectful  language,  as  retpiired 
by  section  04,  IJules  of  Discipline  of  the  Confession  of  Faith,  in 
that  it  chai'ges  tbe  (ieneral  Assembly  wilh  a  "want  of  consid- 
eration fur  I  be  rigbts  of  otbers."'  and  cbarges  tlie  General  Assem- 
bly wilb  atlenijiiing  (k'bvei-ances  tbat  are  scbismatical  in  tendency 
and  "calculated  to  bi'iiig  ibis  tbe  liigbcst  court  of  tbe  Chtirch  intu 
disiX'])Ute.""  and  fdi'  tliis  reason  it  sbould  be  rejected. 

.').  It  makes  an  incorrect  statement  of  the  status  of  tlie  law  of 
whicb  it  treats,  in  tbat  it  assumes  tbat  tbe  construction  })ut  upon 
the  Constitution  by  ibe  (ieneral  Assendily  at  ]\Iemp]ns  in  1892,  in 
reference  to  women  as  lubug  elders,  was  only  an  dllempt  so  to 
consti'ue  tbe  Constitution  aud  hi\-  of  i-eptcsentation,  wben  in  fact 
said  Assembly  (hd  so  constiaie  tbe  law  as  to  allow  tbe  oi'dination 
of  women  as  lading  elders  where  it  sbould  appear  needful — and 
ab^o  in  tbat  it  assunu'S  tbat  tbe  I'i'esbyteries  I'efused  to  change  the 
Conslittition  so  as  to  achiiit  women  as  ruling  elders,  when  in  fact 
the  Presbytei'ies  refused  to  amend  tin-  Constitution  so  as  to  exclude 
women,  as  well  as  to  include  them,  in  specihc  terms,  and  left  the 
Constitution  as  it  was  inter])retetl  by  the  (Jeneral  Assemldy  at 
Memphis,  Tenn.,  in'lS!»2. 

■i.  And  tlie  so-called  protest  neitber  asks  for.  nor  proposes,  any 
relief,  remedy,  deliverance,  or  action  of  any  kind  wliatsoever. 
Wlu'i'efore.  we  ri'spectfully  recommend  tbat  tin'  si:-called  protest 
])e  dismissed. 

.-).  We  furtber  dill'i'i-  from  the  majority  of  tlie  Committee,  in  tbat 
we  tbink  tliis  Committee  was  not.  by  llu'  reference  of  this  |>aper 
to  it.  either  asked  or  autborized  by  your  l»everend  Rody  to  act  or 
report  upon  anytbing  other  tban  tbe  ]iaper  itself,  and  we  do  not 
deem  it  tbe  province  of  a  Judiciary  Committee  to  suggest  ameml- 
ments  to  the  Constitution,  or  otber  legislative  changes,  unless  some 
advice  as  to  bow  same  migbl  lie  (hme  were  specifically  asked  for 
bv  this  body.  And  if  it  were  tbe  ])rovince  of  this  C*ommittee  to 
do  so.  we  should  not  advise  a  re-submission  of  this  question  to  a 
vote  of  the  Presbyteries  at  this  time. — 1898,  pp.  54,  55. 


ATLIXC;  ELDERS.  S'C 

2.  An  elder  or  deacon  cannot  be  elected  for  a  limited 
period  —  cannot  be  deposed  except  by  trial. 

CoiNSTiTUTiON.  SECTION  -iT. — The  offices  of  ruling  elder  and 
deacon  are  perpetual,  and  no  one  can  be  divested  of  either  office 
but  by  deposition,  after  regular  trial,  or,  at  his  own  request,  by 
resignation. 

Yet  a  ruling  elder  or  deacon  may,  though  chargeable  with  neither 
heresy  nor  immorality,  become  unacceptable,  in  his  official  char- 
acter, to  a  majority  of  the  cliurch  which  he  servei>.  In  such  a  case 
it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  chureli  Session,  upon  application  either 
from  the  officer  or  from  the  church,  to  dissolve  the  relation.  But 
this  shall  not  l)e  done  without  aft'ording  full  opportunity  for  the 
])arties  to  l)e  heard. 

1.  lias  a  congregation  the  right  to  elect  an  elder  or  deacon  to 
serve  them  as  such  for  a  limited  period  of  time? 

AuMver:  The  Forin  of  Government  being  silent  on  this  (ques- 
tion, your  Committee  is  of  the  opinion  that  there  is  no  authority 
for  a  congregation  to  elect  elders  and  deacons  for  a  limited  time. 
The  usage  of  our  Church  has  been  in  accordance  with  this  decision. 

3.  The  office  of  ruling  elder  and  the  office  of  deacon  being  per- 
petual, is  the  terni  of  service,  in  any  particular  congregation,  also 
necessarily  perpetual? 

Your  Committee  answer  that  the  congregation  has  the  i-ight  to 
retire  an  officer  from  official  duty,  deferred  to  the  next  Asseml)ly. 
—1879,  p.  34. 

In  regard  to  the  report  of  the  Judiciary  Committee  of  the  last 
General  Assembly,  referred  to  this  Assembly,  we  recommend  con- 
currence in  that  rej)ort,  except  the  last  clause,  in  which  we  are 
unable  to  recommend  concurrence.  There  has  been  referred  to 
your  Committee  a  memorial  from  the  McMinnville  Presbytery 
on  the  same  subject. 

Your  Committee  are  of  opinion,  and  so  report,  that  a  congre- 
gation has  no  power  to  depose  or  retire  an  elder  against  his  con- 
sent, evinced  by  voluntary  resignation,  except  ui)on  charges,  and 
a  fair  trial,  and  conviction  of  some  dereliction  of  duty  in  his  office, 
or   unchristian   conduct.      Your  Committee   cannot   undertake   to 


90  PART  III.,  CHURCH  OFFICERS. 

euumcrate  all  tlit3  grounds  which  would  \)\t  sufficient  for  deposition 
of  an  elder.  This  must  be  left  to  the  judgment  of  the  Session 
before  which  he  is  arraigned,  in  each  particular  case,  subject  to 
an  appeal  to  the  Presljyterv.  Your  Committee  regard  it  a  sacred 
principle,  that  no  member  or  officer  of  a  church  can  be  de})rived 
of  his  privileges  without  having  an  opportunity  of  being  heard 
in  his  defense.     Adopted. — 188U,  p.  23. 

3.  Deliverances  on  rotation. 

Your  Committee  on  Overtures,  to  which  was  referred  a  number 
of  memorials  from  Presljvteries.  pi'aying  for  such  amendment  of 
the  (Constitution  as  will  ma.ke  ])r()vision  for  rotation  in  the  otlices 
of  ruling  elder  and  deacon,  res])ectfully  report  as  follows: 

We  unanimously  recommend  tliai  you  transmit  to  the  Presby- 
teries i'or  their  action  the  following  resolution: 

"Resolrcd,  That  section  f(^rty-seven  (47)  of  the  Constitution 
shall  1k'  so  changed  as  to  read  as  follows: 

"  'The  oihces  or  ruling  elder  cUid  deacon  are  per])etual,  and  no 
one  can  be  divested  of  either  office  but  by  de])osition.  after  regular 
trial,  or  by  resignation;'  ])ut  any  churcb  may,  by  a  majority  vote, 
after  due  notice,  arrange  to  elect  all  its  officers  for  a  stated  period, 
in  such  manner  as  eacb  church  shall  decide;  and  those  thus  elected 
shall  hold  office  until  their  successors  shall  have  been  elected. 
Furthennore.  should  a  ruling  elder  or  deacon,  though  chargeable 
with  neither  heresy  nor  immorality,  become  unacceptable,  in  his 
official  character,  to  a  majority  of  the  church  which  he  serves,  it 
shall  l)e  tbe  duty  of  the  church  Session,  upon  application  either 
from  the  otlicer  or  from  tlie  church,  to  dissolve  the  relation,  aiford- 
ing,  howevi'r,  full  o|)portunity  for  the  parties  to  be  heard." 

[To  transmit  such  a  recommendation  as  the  foregoing  to  the 
Presbyteries  requires  a  two-thirds  vote.  See  Constitution,  Section 
60.  The  vote  on  this  proposition  lacked,  jjerhaps,  less  than  ten 
of  being  a  two-thirds  vote;  and  as  tbe  subject-matter  is  of  interest 
to  the  whole  Church,  the  paper  is  made  a  matter  of  record. — T. 
C.  Bla]^e,  S.  C.]— 1890,  p.  36. 

Your  Committee  on  Overtures,  to  whom  were  referred  memorials 
from  the  Presbyteries  of  Atchison.  Decatur,  New  Lebanon,  Oregon, 
and  St.  Louis,  askinof  the  submission  to  the  Presbvteries  of  an 


RULING  ELDERS.  91 

amendment  to  the  forty-seventh  section  of  the  Const itulit)n  of  the 
Chnrch.  2)roviding  for  rotation  in  the  offices  of  rulin>i^  ehler  and 
deacon.  res})ectfnlly  report  as  follows: 

After  careful  consideration  of  the  proposed  amendment,  wo.  are 
of  the  opinion  that  the  necessity  has  not  yet  arisen  for  making 
any  change  in  the  organic  law  of  the  Chvirch  on  this  subject,  and 
we  deem  it  inadvisable  to  grant  the  prayer  of  the  memorialists. 
Adopted.— 1891,  p.  12. 

The  minority  report,  which  was  rejected  by  a  vote  of  00  in  the 
atlirmative,  against  loo  in  the  negative,  is  as  follows: 

The  imdersigned,  a  minority  of  the  Committee  on  Overtures,  to 
which  were  referred  memorials  from  Atchison,  Decatur,  Xew 
Lebanon,  Oregon,  and  St.  Louis  Presbyteries,  asking  that  a  certain 
change  be  made  in  Section  47  of  the  Constitution  of  the  Church, 
make  the  following  report: 

That  you  sitbmit  to  the  Presbyteries  for  their  action  the  recom- 
mendation that  the  said  Section  47  be  so  changed  as  to  read:  "The 
offices  of  ruling  elder  and  deacon  are  per};etual.  and  no  one  can 
be  divested  of  either  office,  but  by  deposition,  after  regular  trial, 
or  at  his  own  request  by  resignation;  pro^aded,  however,  that  any 
congregation  may.  after  due  notice,  by  a  two-thirds  vote,  arrange 
to  elect  such  officers  for  a  stated  period,  in  such  manner  as  eack 
congregation  shall  decide,  and  that  the  said  period  shall  not  ])e  less 
than  three  years,"  and  "that  elders  once  ordained  shall  not  be 
divested  of  the  office  when  the}'  are  not  re-elected,  l)Ut  shall  be 
entitled  to  represent  that  particular  cluirch  in  the  highest  judica- 
tories, wlien  a})pointed  1)y  the  Session  or  the  Presbytery." — 1891, 
p.  13. 

Your  Committee  have  had  referred  to  them  a  memorial  from 
Kansas  Synod,  asking  the  General  Assembly  to  submit  the  ques- 
tion of  rotation  in  the  eldership  to  the  Presbyteries,  for  constitu- 
tional amendment.  Inasmuch  as  this  (juestion  was  careful Iv  con- 
sidered by  the  General  Assembly  of  1890,  and,  as  far  as  we  are 
aware,  there  is  no  general  demand  for  the  agitation  of  this  subject 
at  the  present  time,  we  \^ould  most  respectfully  recommend  that 
the  prayer  of  your  memorialists  be  not  granted.  Adopted. — 1893, 
p.  35. 


92  PART  III.,  CHURCH  OFFICERS. 

The  Committee  on  Overtures  suhmitted  their  report,  and  a 
Minorit}'  re])ort  was  also  suhmitted  therewitli.  The  Majority  report 
Avas" adopted,  the  two  re])orts  hein<f  as  follows: 

Ma.tority  REroRT. — Adopted. 

We  have  had  Ijefore  us  a  memorial  from  Eepublican  Valley 
Presbvtery,  asking  that  this  General  Assembly  submit  to  the  Pres- 
byteries a  proposition  for  a  change  of  the  Constitution  so  as  to 
allow  a  system  of  "Rotary  Eldership."  Also  one  from  Wabash 
Presbytery  on  the  same  point,  and  including  the  deacons.  We 
recommend  that  the  ])rayer  of  ])etitioners  ])e  not  granted. 

]\]  ixoKiTY  Report. — Re.tected. 

We,  a  minority  of  your  Committee  on  Overtures,  respectfully  re- 
])ort  that  we  have  liad  before  us  the  memorials  from  Eepublican 
Valley  and  Wabash  Presbyteries,  asking  that  our  Constitution  be 
so  changed,  or  amended,  that  the  oflices  of  ruling  elder  and  deacon 
be  not  ])erpetual.  hut  that  they  shall  be  for  a  term  of  years,  and 
that  the  exj)iratiou  of  the  terms  of  such  officers  shall  be  so  fixed 
that  the  terms  shall  expire  at  different  times.  After  due  con- 
sideration, we  recommend  that  the  said  prayer  be  granted,  and  offer' 
the  following  resolution,  viz.: 

BesulveJ,  That  the  Stated  Clerk  be  directed  to  transmit  to  the 
Presbyteries  for  their  action  the  recommendation  that  the  follow- 
ing shall  Ije  sul)stituted  for  Section  47  of  the  Constitution:  The 
order  of  elder  or  deacon  is  perpetual,  but  the  office  is  not  neces- 
sarily so.  Any  congregation  may,  in  its  discretion,  elect  elders  or 
deacons  for  a  limited  })eriod  of  time.  In  case  a  congregation  deter- 
mines to  elect  elders  or  deacons  for  a  limited  time,  the  term  of 
service  shall  be  three  years.  Neither  an  elder  nor  a  deacon  can 
be  divested  of  his  office,  limited  or  perpetual,  without  his  consent, 
except  after  regular  trial;  but  any  elder  or  deacon  may  resign  his 
office.  If  at  any  time  a  ruling  elder  or  deacon  becomes  unaccept- 
able to  a  majority  of  the  church  which  he  serves,  it  shall  be  the 
duty  of  the  church  Session,  u])on  ap})lication  either  from  the  of- 
ficers or  from  the  majority  of  the  church,  to  dissolve  the  relation.. 
—1895,  pp.  44,  45. 


RULING  ELDERS.  98 

The  Committee  on  Judiciary  submitted  a  report,  the  eonsidera- 
lion  of  which  was  referred  to  the  next  (leneral  Assembly,  the  re- 
port l)eing  as  follows: 

The  Republican  Valley  Presbytery  ask  that  the  Constitution  of 
the  Church  be  changed  so  as  to  provide  for  rotation  in  the  office 
of  elder,  and  that  any  member  over  the  age  of  twenty-one  be 
eligible  to  that  office. 

1.  The  subject  of  rotation  has  been  often  and  thoroughly  dis- 
cussed by  former  Assemblies,  with  the  result  that  no  change  has 
been  made. 

The  Committee  think  there  is  ample  provision  for  removing  an 
xmacceptable  elder,  in  our  j)resent  Constitution. 

2.  The  Committee  tbink,  in  regard  to  the  second  proposition, 
that  as  the  Constitution  now  stands,  any  member  of  the  congre- 
gation— not  ineligible  on  other  grounds — may  lawfully  be  made 
an  elder,  and  therefoi-e  no  cliauge  is  recommended. — 189G, 
p.  :)9. 

A\'e  have  had  referred  to  us  the  report  of  the  Judiciary  Com- 
mittee of  the  General  Assembly  of  189G.  We  beg  leave  to  report 
that,  in  the  opinion  of  your  Committee,  the  report  of  the  Com- 
mittee referred  to  us  is.  under  the  Constitution  of  our  Cluirch,  cor- 
rect, and  we  recommend  that  it  be  adopted.  A])proved. — 1897, 
p.  69. 

4.  Ruling  elder  elected  Moderator  of  the  General 
Assembly. 

The  Judiciary  Committee  beg  leave  to  report  that  they  have  duly 
considered  the  memorial  and  reference  of  I>razos  Synod,  present- 
ing the  question  of  the  eligiljility  of  elders  for  the  position  of 
Moderator  in  the  judicatories  of  the  Church.  Your  Committee  are 
of  opinion,  and  so  re])ort,  that  by  the  foi'ui  and  genius  of  our 
government  there  is  no  discrimination  Ijctwcon  tlie  niinistei's  and 
elders  constituting  our  Presbyteries.  Synods,  and  General  Assembly, 
as  to  powers,  duties,  and  eligibility  to  office  in  said  courts.  Such 
a.  discrimination  would  be  disparaging  to  the  laical  constituency  of 
said  bodies,  and  destroy  that  equality  in  dignity  and  power  which 
was  intended  to  exist     To  produce  this  effect  would  require  some 


94  PART  III.,  CHl'RCH  OFFICERS. 

express  provision.  Tlie  omission  of  such  provision,  your  Committee 
consider  almost  conclusive  evidence  that  none  such  was  intended. 
Tlie  long-existing-  usage,  which  will  perhaps  continue,  of  selecting 
ministers  to  the  moderatorship,  is  very  different  from  the  question 
of  legal  eligihility.  Your  Committee  are,  therefore,  of  opinion, 
and  so  report,  that  it  is  the  right  of  the  judicatory  to  elect  any 
member  of  the  hody,  either  minister  or  elder,  to  preside  over  its 
delil)erations.  and  that  every  memher  is  equally  eligil)le,  whetlier 
he  1)0  minister  or  elder,  deferred  to  the  next  Cireneral  Assemhlv. 
—  1880,  p.  •?,:). 

The  Committee  on  Judiciary  disagreeing,  two  reports  wer(>  ])re- 
sented  }r<  its  different  members. 

The  rej)ort  lirst  acted  ujjon.  and  which  was  laid  on  the  table 
by  a  vote  of  8.'1  to  T9.  is  as  follows: 

The  undersigned  members  of  the  Judiciary  Committee,  to  which 
was  I'cferrcd  the  I'cpoi't  of  the  Judiciai'v  Committee  to  the  last 
(ieneral  Assembly,  hobbng  that  ruling  eldeis  are  eligible  for  the 
position  of  ^Moderator  in  the  judicatories  of  the  Church,  respect- 
fully i'e])()rt  that  we  recommend  the  adoption  of  said  re]iort,  found 
on  page  .'}."),  ^liuutes  of  last  General  Assembly. 

The  re])ort  next  acted  upon,  and  which  was  also  laid  on  the  table 
by  a  vote  of  8-")  to  74,  is  as  follows; 

Your  Committee  has  considered  the  question  referred  to  them 
from  the  Minutes  of  the  last  (General  Assembly,  and  we  recommend 
that  you  disapprove  of  the  report  of  the  Judiciary  Committee, 
made  to  the  last  (Jeneral  Assembly,  touching  the  constitutionality 
of  the  election  of  nding  elders  to  Ije  ]\Ioderators  of  the  Church 
judicatories,  and  (k^clare  it  to  be  the  opinion  of  this  General  As- 
sembly, that  our  Form  of  Government  does  not  contemphite  the 
election  of  ruling  elders  to  the  office  of  Moderator  of  Church  courts, 
except  as  Moderator  of  the  church  Session  when  a  minister  cannot 
be  had  to  preside.— f  881,  p.  22. 

The  following  protest  on  the  eligibility  of  a  layman  to  the  mod- 
eratorship, was  received  and  referred  to  a  special  committee  for 
answer: 

We  hereby  enter  our  protest  against  the  ait  ion  of  the  General 
Assemhlv  in   the  election   of  a  ruliui;-  ebhu-  as  its  ^Moderator,  be- 


RULING  ELDERS.  95 

cause  we  believe  it  to  he  ;i  violation  of  the  fuiidanieiiial  principles 

of  Preshyterianisni. 

lietfpectl'ully, 

S.  11.  Buchanan, 
G.  L.  MoAU, 
S.  11.  McElyain, 
S.  Finis  King, 

W.    Vi.    WlTHERSPOON. 

Your  Committee  appointed  to  reply  to  the  paper  protesting 
against  the  election  of  a  ruling  elder  ^loderator  of  the  General 
Assembly  report  the  following  paper: 

Inasmuch  as  the  brethren  offering  the  protest  make  no  argu- 
ment on  the  question,  but  simply  declare  that  "'we  believe  it  to 
be  a  violation  of  the  fundamental  principles  of  Presbyterianism," 
therefore  the  Committee  offer  the  opinion  that  there  is  nothing 
either  in  the  spirit  or  genius  of  Presl)yterianism  violated  by  such 
action,  and  nothing  in  our  Form  of  Government  that  forbids  the 
election  of  a  ruling  elder  to  this  position. — 1887,  p.  32. 

5.  Ruling   elders   not   members  of  Presbytery  may  be 
placed  on  standing  committees. 

In  the  matter  of  the  memorial  from  the  Bell  Presbytery,  the 
Committee  fin(i  this  question: 

"Are  ruling  elders  who  are  not  members  of  Presbytery,  com- 
petent to  be  made  members  of  standing  committees?" 

The  Committee  have  not  reached  a  conclusion  on  this  question, 
without  hesitation  and  difficulty.  We  believe  a  strict  or  literal  in- 
terpretation of  the  law  would  lead  to  an  answer  in  the  negative. 
But  we  believe,  further,  that  it  is  a  safe  rule  by  which  we  may 
be  governed,  to  give  such  construction  of  the  law  as  will  enable 
Church  judicatories  to  promote  the  interests  of  the  Church  most 
effectively.  If  we  deny  the  right  of  Presbyteries  to  appoint  elders 
to  important  duties,  simply  because  they  are  not,  for  the  time 
being,  members  cf  Presbytery,  we  thereby  greatly  curtail  the  power 
of  the  Presbyteries  in  employing  talented  and  useful  men  in  the 
V'ork  of  the  Church. 

We  therefore  reach  the  conclusion,  that  a  liberal  construction 
of  the  law,  in  the  case,  will  give  the  Presbyteries  enlarged  means 


96  PART  III.,  CHURCH  OFFICERS. 

of  usel'uluess,  and  that  no  injury  can  possibly  I'csult.  Hence  we 
answer  the  (|uestion  of  thu  iueniorial  in  the  alhrniative.  Adopted. 
—1875,  p.  24. 

6,  An  elder  not  a  member  of  Presbytery  may  be  elected 
a  commissioner  to  the  General  Assembly. 

"Are  elders,  who  arc  not  members  of  I'resljytery,  eligiljle  to  be 
elected  commissioners  to  the  General  Assembly?" 

Vv'e  answer  this  question  in  the  affirmative,  on  the  groimds  as- 
signed for  the  answer  to  the  first  (question  [see  o,  above],  and  for 
the  additional  ro:uson,  that  the  book  gives  express  authority  to  J*res- 
byteries  to  appoint  elders  commissioners  to  the  (Jeneral  Assembly, 
whether  such  elders  are  members  of  Presbyteries  or  not.  Adopted. 
—1875,  p.  24. 

7.  An  elder  not  compelled  to  vote  as  instructed. 

"Is  a  ruling  elder,  when  sitting  as  a  member  of  Presbytery, 
bound  to  vote  according  to  instructions  given  by  the  Ses,«ion  that 
appointed  him,  ujion  the  (piestions  of  ap})roval  or  disapproval  of 
constitutional  amendments  ])r()]iosed  by  the  General  Assembly  to 
the  Presljyteries.  oi-  has  a  cluirch  Session  the  right  to  instruct  in 
such  a  case?" 

Ansu  er.  In  representative  governments  the  people  have  the 
right  to  instruct  their  representatives,  wlio  are  under  obligations 
to  obey:  but  wc  know  of  no  law  oi  this  Cluirch  which  imposes  like 
obligations  upon  representatives.     Ado])ted. — 18T3,  p.  30. 

III.    DEACONS. 

CoxsTiTUTiox.  Section  ID. — The  duties  of  this  office  especially 
relate  to  the  care  of  the  ])oor.  and  to  the  collection  and  distribution 
of  the  offerings  of  the  ]»eo})le  for  ])ions  uses,  under  the  direction 
of  tlie  church  Session.  To  the  deacons,  also,  may  be  properly 
committed  the  management  of  tUe  temporal  affairs  of  the  church, 
or  tha  same  may  be  committed  to  the  deacons  and  the  church 
Session,  as  a  board,  sharing  equal  rights  and  responsibilities. 


DEACONS.  97 

J.  Men  chosen  to  this  office. 

Constitution,  Section  xJU.- — To  lin^i  uttice  t^liould  be  chosen 
men  of  honest  repute  and  of  approved  piety,  who  are  e&teemed 
for  their  prudence  and  sound  judgment,  whose  conversation  be- 
comes the  Gospel,  and  whose  hves  are  exemplary,  seeing  that 
those  duties  to  which  all  Christians  are  called  in  the  way  of  benefi- 
cence are  especially  incuml)ent  on  the  deacon  as  an  (jtficer  in 
Clmst's  house. 

Constitution,  Section  22. — In  churches  where  it  is  impracti- 
cable to  secure  suitable  men  for  deacons,  the  duties  of  this  office 
devolve  on  the  ruling  elders. 

Constitution,  Section  4G. — Do  you,  the  members  of  this 
church,  acknowledge  and  receive  this  brother  as  a  deacon;  and  do 
you  promise  to  yield  him  all  that  honor,  encouragement  and  obedi- 
ence in  the  Lord  to  which  his  office,  according  to  the  Word  of  God 
and  the  govei-nment  of  this  church,  entitles  him? 

2.  Deacons  must  keep  a  record. 

Constitution,  Section  2f. — A  complete  account  of  collections 
and  distill aitions,  and  a  full  record  of  2)roceedings,  shall  be  kept 
by  the  deacons  and  sul)mitted  to  the  church  Session  for  examina- 
tion and  a]'])roved  at  least  once  a  year. 

3.  Deacons  cannot  be  elected  for  a  limited  period. 

[Note. — See  Section  2.  under  Ihiling  Elder,  p.  81).] 

4.  Women  may  be  appointed  to  care  for  the  sick,  etc. 

Constitution,  Section  23. — Where  it  shall  appear  needful,  the 
church  Session  may  appoint  godly  women  for  the  care  of  the  sick, 
of  prisoners,  of  poor  widows  and  orphans,  and  in  general  for  the 
relief  of  distresF. 
7 


PART  IV. 
CHURCH  COURTS. 

The  Church  courts  recognized  by  the  New  Testament  are  church 
Sessions  (1  Tim.  v.  11),  Presbyteries  (1  Tim.  iv.  li),  and  Synods, 
or  Assenibhes  (Acts  xv.  5-21). — From  Iniruductory  Statement  on 
Churcli  Gocernincnt,  Cuiifc'^i<iuit  of  Failli,  p.  SO. 

Confession  of  Faith,  Sections  110,  111. — Church  government 
implies  tlie  existence  of  Church  courts,  invested  with  legislative, 
judicial,  and  executive  authority;  and  the  Scriptures  recognize 
such  institutions,  some  of  subordinate  and  some  of  superior 
authority,  each  having  its  own  particukir  sphere  of  duties  and 
privileges  in  reference  to  matters  ministerial  and  ecclesiastical, 
yet  all  subordinate  to  the  same  general  design. 

111.  It  is  the  prerogative  of  these  courts,  ministerially,  to  de- 
termine controveisies  of  faith  and  questions  of  morals,  to  set 
down  rules  and  directions  for  the  better  ordering  of  the  public 
worship  of  God  and  government  of  his  Church,  to  receive  com- 
plaints in  cases  of  maladministration,  and  authoritatively  to  de- 
termine the  same,  which  determinations  are  to  be  received  with 
reverence  and  submission. 

Constitution.  Sections  <?-!:,  2r>. — It  is  necessary  that  the  gov- 
ernment of  the  Church  ])e  exercised  under  some  certain  and 
definite  form,  and  by  various  courts,  in  regular  gradation.  These 
courts  are  denominated  church  Sessions.  Presbyteries.  Synods,  and 
the  General  Assembly. 

25.  The  church  Session  exercises  jurisdiction  over  a  single 
church;  the  Presbytery,  over  what  is  common  to  the  ministers, 
church  Sessions,  an(]  ehurclus  within  a  jirescribed  district;  the 
Synod,  over  what  belongs  in  common  to  three  or  more  Presby- 
teries, and  tlieir  ministers,  church  Sessions,  and  churches;  and  the 
General  Assembly,  over  such  matters  as  concern  the  whole  Church; 
and  the  jurisdiction  of  these  courts  is  limited  by  the  express  pro- 
visions of  the  Constitution.  Everv  court  has  the  right  to  resolve 
(99) 


100  PART  IV.,  CHTRCH  COURTS. 

questions  of  doctrine  and  discipline  sciionsly  and  reasonably  pro- 
posed, and  in  general  to  maintain  trutli  and  rigliteousness,  con- 
demning erroneous  opinions  and  practices  which  tend  to  the  in- 
jury of  the  peace,  })urity,  or  ])rogress  of  the  Church;  and,  although 
each  court  exercises  exclusive  original  jurisdiction  over  all  matters 
specially  belonging  to  it,  the  lower  courts  ai'e  sul)ject  to  the  re- 
view and  control  of  the  higher  courts,  in  regular  gradation. 
All  Church  courts  sluill  be  o])ened  and  closed  with  prayer. 

lluLES  OF  Discipline.  Section  ()7. — Every  decision  made  by 
an}'  Church  toiiit.  except  the  highest,  is  subject  to  the  review  of 
a  superior  court,  and  may  l;e  l)rouglit  before  it  by  general  review 
and  control,  reference,  appeal,  or  comj)laint. 

lluLES  OF  Disci I'LiNE.  Sections  G8-73. — Every  court  above  the 
church  Session  shall,  at  stated  intervals,  as  prescribed,  review  the 
proceedings  of  the  court  next  below.  If  any  lower  court  shall 
omit  to  send  up  its  records  for  this  purpose,  the  higher  court 
may  order  them  to  l)e  produced,  either  immediately,  or  at  a  par- 
ticular time,  as  circumstances  may  require. 

G9.  In  reviewing  the  records  of  an  inferior  court,  it  is  proper 
to  examine:  1.  Whether  the  proceedings  have  been  regular.  'I. 
Whether  they  have  been  wise,  equitable,  and  for  the  edification  of 
the  Church.  3.  Whether  they  have  been  correctly  recorded.  4. 
Whether  the  injunctions  of  the  superior  courts  have  been  obeyed. 

70.  Generally,  the  superior  court  may  discharge  its  duty  by 
simply  recording  on  its  own  minutes  the  approval,  the  correction 
of  proceedings,  or  the  censure  which  it  may  think  proper  to  pass 
on  the  records  under  review,  also  by  making  an  entry  of  the  same 
in  the  book  reviewed.  But,  should  irregular  proceedings  be  found, 
such  as  demand  interference,  the  inferior  court  may  be  required 
to  review  and  correct  them.  In  cases  of  process,  however,  no  judg- 
ment of  an  inferior  court  shall  be  reversed,  unless  regularly 
brought  up  by  appeal  or  com]ilaint. 

71.  Should  courts  neglect  to  perform  their  duty,  and  thereby 
heretical  opinions  or  corrupt  practices  be  allowed  to  gain  ground, 
or  offenders  suffered  to  escape,  or  circumstances  of  great  irregu- 
larity be  not  distinctly  recorded,  whereby  their  records  may  not 
exhibit  a  full    view   of  their  ]iroceediugs.   the   superior   court,   if 


CHURCH  COURTS.  101 

satisfied  that  such  neglect  or  irregularity  has  occurred,  shall  take 
cognizance  of  the  same,  examine,  deliberate,  and  judge  in  the  whole 
matter  as  if  it  had  Ijeen  recorded,  and  thus  brought  up  by  review 
of  the  records. 

72.  When  a  court  of  appellate  jurisdiction  shall  be  advised, 
either  by  the  records  of  the  court  below,  or  by  memorial  with  or 
without  protest,  or  by  any  other  satisfactoi'y  mode,  of  any  im- 
portant delinquency  or  irregular  proceedings  of  such  court,  it  may 
be  cited  to  appear  by  representative  or  in  writing,  at  a  specified 
time  and  place,  to  show  what  it  has  done,  or  failed  to  do,  in  the 
matter  in  question.  The  court  issuing  the  citation,  after  full  in- 
vestigation, may  reverse  the  proceedings  in  other  than  judicial 
cases,  or  it  may  remit  the  whole  matter  to  the  court  below,  with 
an  injunction  to  take  it  up  and  dispose  of  it  in  a  regidar  manner; 
or  all  further  proceedings  in  the  matter  may  be  suspended  by  the 
appellate  court,  as  circumstances  may  reqinre. 

J.  Moderators  of  the  Church  courts. 

General  Regulations,  Section  1. — The  Moderator  possesses, 
by  delegation  from  the  whole  body,  all  authority  necessary  for 
the  preservation  of  order,  for  directing  business  according  to  the 
rules  of  the  Church,  and  for  convening  the  court  as  prescribed 
by  the  Government,  and  adjourning  the  same  aecorrling  to  its 
own  order. 

The  Moderator  of  the  other  Church  courts  [i.  e.  above  the  Ses- 
sion] shall  be  elected  at  each  stated  meeting  thereof,  and  holds 
his  office  until  his  successor  shall  Ije  elected.  At  the  opening  of 
each  stated  meeting  of  these  courts,  a  sermon  shall  be  preached, 
if  practicable,  by  the  Moderator  or  by  some  minister  selected  for 
that  ])urpose,  either  by  bim  or  tlie  Stated  Clerk. 

In  the  matter  of  com|)laint  against  the  Synod  of  Missouri,  we 
report:  As  to  the  election  of  Moderator  at  one  Session  of  the 
Presbytery,  to  ])reside  at  the  next,  the  Constitution  is  silent  as 
to  the  time  or  mode  of  election  of  the  })residing  officer  of  a  Church 
court.  General  Regulations,  Section  1.  provides  for  the  election 
of  a  Moderator  in  other  Church  courts  than  the  Session,  that  is 
to   say,   the  Moderator   sball    be   elected   at   each   stated   meeting 


102  FART  1\'.,  CHURCH  COURTS. 

thereof,  and  liolds  his  office  until  his  successor  shall  be  elected, 
no  time  having  been  lixed  by  the  above  regulation  for  the  election 
of  Moderator  during  each  session.  Your  Committee  are  of  the 
opinion  that  it  is  entirely  discretionary  with  the  court,  as  to  the 
time  when  the  court  shall  elect  its  Moderator,  provided,  however, 
said  election  shall  be  held  at  some  time  during  each  stated  meeting, 
and  he  shall  hold  and  exercise  the  duties  of  Moderator  until  his 
successor  shall  have  been  elected.  Such  successor  shall  be  elected 
at  some  time  during  tiie  sittings  of  the  court,  at  its  next  stated 
meeting.     Adopted. — 1897,  p]).  (iG,  07. 

Genekal  Kegulatioas,  Sectiox  1. — In  the  absence  of  the  Mod- 
erator, the  Stated  Clerk  shall  preside  until  a  Moderator  is  electe(_l; 
and  in  the  absence  of  both  Moderator  and  Stated  llerk,  the  mem- 
bers present  shall  select  some  member  to  preside  until  a  Moderator 
shall  be  chosen. 

2.  Clerks  of  Church  courts. 

Genekal  Reuulatioxs,  Sectiux  2. — Kach  Church  court  shall 
appoint  a  Stated  Clerk,  who  shall  keep  and  preserve  all  minutes, 
clocmnents,  and  pajiers  committed  to  his  care,  and  carry,  or  send 
by  a  faithful  messenger,  the  minutes  of  each  uieeting  to  the  meet- 
ing next  succeeding.  He  shall  hold  his  ufliee  during  the  pleasure 
of  the  court. 

It  shall  be  his  duty  to  record  all  the  minutes  in  a  well-bound 
book  to  be  kept  for  that  j)urpose;  to  grant  extracts  from  them 
when  properly  required.  Such  extracts,  under  his  hand,  shall  be 
considered  authentic  evidence  of  the  facts  which  they  declare.  He 
shall  also  perform  the  duties  of  Clerk  during  the  meeting  of  the 
court,  unless  otherwise  determined  Ijy  it. 

KuLES  OF  Okdei^  Seotiox  15. — As  sot)n  as  possible  after  the 
commencement  of  the  first  session  of  every  judicatory,  the  Clerk 
shall  form  a  complete  roll  of  the  meml^ers  present,  and  place  the 
same  in  the  hands  of  the  Moderator,  and  add  thereto  the  names 
of  additional  members  when  they  are  admitted  to  their  seats. 

Rules  of  Order,  Section  1G. — He  |  the  ClerkJ  shall  keep  a 
correct  and  faithful  record  of  the  transactions  of  the  judicatory. 


CHURCH  COURTS.  103 

(IJ  Inefficient  Clerks  to  be  kemoyed. 

V^^htreas,  It  is  vei}'  important  that  the  true  statistics  of  the 
Church  should  be  obtained,  and  whereas  this  work  cannot  be  ae- 
coniphshed  unless  the  Stated  Clerks  of  Presbyteries  and  the  Clerks 
of  church  Sessions  will  do  their  whole  duty;  therefore, 

Resolved,  1.  That  it  shall  be  made  the  imperative  duty  of  the 
Stated  Clerk  of  the  General  Assembly  to  report  to  the  Presby- 
teries interested,  those  Stated  Clerks  who  fail  to  do  their  duty, 
and  that  the  Presbyteries  be  requested  to  remove  these  inefhcieut 
Stated  Clerks,  and  to  appoint  others  who  will  do  their  duty. 

2.  That  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Stated  Clerks  of  Presbyteries 
to  report  to  the  Presbyteries  the  names  of  the  Clerks  of 
church  Sessions  who  fail  to  discharge  their  obligations  in  this  par- 
ticular, and  that  the  Presbyteries  be  directed  to  urge  upon  church 
Sessions  the  removal  of  their  inefficient  Clerks  of  Sessions,  and 
the  appointment  of  faithful  '  ones  in  their  stead.  Adopted. — 
1889,  p.  53. 

The  Committee  on  Overtures  have  had  under  advisement  the 
memorial  from  McGee  Presbytery,  asking  the  General  Assembly 
to  abrogate  the  deliverance  of  1889  (See  Minutes,  p.  52),  requiring 
the  Stated  Clerk  of  the  General  Assembly  to  report  to  their  re- 
spective Presbyteries  the  names  of  the  Stated  Clerks  thereof  who 
fail  to  perform  their  duties  faithfully,  and  requiring  a  like  duty 
on  the  part  of  Stated  Clerks  of  Presbyteries  regarding  inefficient 
Clerks  of  Sessions. 

We  find  no  reason  for  disturbing  the  previous  deliverance  of  the 
General  Assembly  upon  this  subject,  and  we  recommend  that  the 
prayer  of  the  memorial  be  not  granted.     Adopted. — 1891,  p.   15. 

Whereas,  There  is  much  complaint  as  to  the  inefficiency  of  Clerks 
of  Sessions,  Presbyteries,  and  Synods,  we  therefore  recommend 
that  you  instnict  your  vSessions,  Presbyteries  and  Synods  to  see 
that  their  Stated  Clerks  attend  to  the  duties  of  their  offices,  or  to 
remove  them,  and  appoint  others  who  will.    Adopted— 1897,  p.  45. 

On  account  of  the  neglect  or  inefficiency  of  many  Clerks  of 
Sessions  and  of  Stated  Clerks  of  Presbyteries,  it  has  been  im- 
possible for  the  Stated  Clerk  of  the  Assembly  to  gatlier  full  and 


104  PART  IV.,   CHURCH  COURTS. 

correct  statistics  and  information  from  the  Presbyteries  and 
churches.  We  recommend  that  after  tlie  Stated  Clerk  of  the 
Assembly  has  made  diligent  efforts  to  secure  satisfactory  reports 
from  the  Stated  C'lerk  of  any  Presbytery,  without  success,  he 
shall  report  the  same  to  the  Presbytery,  and  ask  it  to  remove  the 
delinquent  Clerk  and  elect  one  who  will  perform  the  duties  of  the 
office.  This  action  shall  also  apply  to  Stated  Clerks  of  Synods 
who  are  delincpient  in  discliarging  the  duties  of  their  office.  Also, 
that  you  advise  similar  action  npon  the  part  of  the  Stated  Clerk 
of  the  Presbytery  in  reference  to  delin(iuent  sessional  Clerks. 
Adopted.— 1898,  p.  51. 

(2)   KeCORDS  CAXNOT   be   CIIAXGED   after    AU.rolRNMENT. 

Pules  of  Order,  Section  3. — After  the  final  adjournment  of 
a  judicatory,  its  record  shall  not  be  subject  to  correction  or  altera- 
tion at  a  subsequent  meetiiig. 

licsolved,  That  no  Church  jU(hcature  has  the  right  to  alter, 
change  or  amend  any  minutes  of  any  preceding  Session  whatever, 
and  that  minutes  can  only  Ije  coi'rected  and  amended  at  the  session 
when  they  were  made.     Adopted. — 1858,  p.  21. 

The  Judiciary  Committee,  to  whom  was  referred  the  memorial 
of  Kev.  Cyrus  llaynes,  on  the  ck^cision  of  the  General  Assembly 
of  1858,  as  to  the  propriety  of  any  Church  judicature  amending 
the  minutes  of  preceding  sessions,  have  had  the  same  under  con- 
sideration, and  we  recommend  to  this  General  Assembly  that  the 
memorial  Ije  not  entertained,  and  that  this  Assembly  re-alftrm  and 
maintain  its  action  of  185S  (on  the  report  of  the  L'ommittee  on 
the  Minutes  of  the  East  Tennessee  Synod).    Adopted. — 18()(),  p.  T3. 

(3)  Verbal  testimony  not  admissible  in  records. 

Your  Committee  find  an  appeal  taken  from  a  decision  of  the 
Arkansas  Synod  by  a  res})ectable  number  of  members,  wherein 
said  Synod  had  decided  that  verbal  testimony  is  admissible  before 
a  C*omniittee  on  Church  Records.  The  decision  was  appealed 
from.  Your  Committee  are  of  the  opinion  that  committees  on 
records  have  iiotliing  to  do  with  anything  aside  from  the  records 
placed  in  their  hands.     Adopted. — 1853,  ]>.  2T. 


THE  CHURCH  SESSION.  105 

(4)   UnAXIMOUS   vote   NECESSAKY   to   EXin'NGE    .XrATFER   FROM   THE 

RECORDS. 

Rules  of  Order,  Section  42. — It  shall  require  the  unanimous 
vote  of  the  members  present  to  expunge  an}'  matter  from  the 
records. 

3.  Treasurer  of  Church  courts. 

Rules  of  Order,  Sections  tt-t\. — The  Treasurer  shall  keep 
his  books  properly  posted,  so  as  to  exhibit  at  all  times  the  finan- 
cial condition  of  the  judicatory;  he  shall  charge  liimself  with  every 
item  of  property  received,  with  the  date,  source,  and  othet 
minute  particulars  pertaining  thereto. 

23.  He  shall  not  pay  out  any  money,  or  part  with  any  property, 
without  an  order  from  the  judicatory,  signed  by  the  Moderator 
and  Clerk,  authorizing  him  to  do  so. 

24.  He  shall  report,  whenever  recpiired,  the  condition,  in  detail, 
of  the  finances  of  the  judicatory. 

I.   THE  CHIRCII  SESSION. 

Coxstitution,  Sections  26-28. — The  church  Session  consists 
of  the  minister  in  charge  and  two  or  mor^'  luling  elders  of  a  par- 
ticular church. 

In  the  absence  of  the  minister  in  charge,  and  in  a  vacant  church, 
the  ruling  elders  alone  may  form  a  church  Session  for  the  trans- 
action of  any  business. 

The  church  Session  shall  l)e  convened  when  any  two  ruling 
elders  shall  so  request.  The  minister  in  charge  may  convene  the 
church  Session  at  any  time. 

A  majority  of  the  church  Session  shall  be  necessary  to  con- 
stitute a  quorum,  unless,  with  the  concurrence  of  the  church,  the 
church  Session  shall  otherwise  determine:  but  any  two  of  the  ruling 
elders,  in  conjunction  with  a  minister,  may  receive  members  and 
gi'ant  letters  of  dismission. 

27.  The  church  Session  is  charged  with  maintaining  the  spir- 
itual government  of  the  church,  for  which  ])urpose  it  is  its  duty 
to  inquire  into  the  doctrines  and  conduct  of  the  church  members 


106  PART  J  v.,  CHURCH  COURTS. 

under  lis  care;  lu  receive  inembers  into  the  eJiurcli;  to  admouisli, 
suspend,  or  e.vcoiiiiiiunicate  those  found  d.e]in(|Uent,  subject  to 
appeal;  to  urge  upon  })areiits  the  iiiiportance  of  presenting  tiieir 
children  for  baptism;  to  grant  letters  of  dismission,  whicli,  when 
given  to  parents,  shall  always  include  ihc  names  of  their  haptized 
children;  to  urdain  and  install  ruling  elders  and  deacons  when 
elected,  and  to  retpiire  those  otticers  to  devote  themselves  to  their 
work;  to  examine  tlie  records  of  the  |)roceedings  of  the  deacons; 
to  establish  and  control  Sabbath-schools  and  liible-classes,  with 
especial  reference  to  the  chihh'en  of  the  church;  to  order  collections 
for  j)ii)us  uses  and  cbui-ch  purpcjses:  lo  take  the  oversight  of  the 
singing  in  the  ])ublic  worsbij)  of  (iud:  to  assemble  tlie  peojile  for 
worship  when  there  i>  no  minister;  to  concert  the  best  measures  for 
promoting  the  sjiiriiual  inieresls  of  the  church;  to  observe  and 
carrv  out  the  injunctions  of  the  higher  courts;- and  to  ap|)oint  rep- 
resentatives to  the  higher  courts,  and  recpiire  on  their  return  a 
report  of  their  diligence. 

;^8.  EveiT  churcli  Session  shall  keej)  an  accurate  record  of  its 
proceedings,  which  must  be.  at  least  once  in  every  year,  suljmitted 
to  the  ins])ection  of  the  Presbytery. 

Every  churdi  Session  shall  also  keej)  a  register  of  marriages,  of 
baptisms,  of  accessions,  and  of  the  deatli  and  dismissions  of  church 
members. 

1.  Moderator  of  the  Session. 

General  Regulations,  Section  1. — The  minister  in  charge, 
when  present,  is  tlie  Moderator  of  the  church  Session,  except  where 
he  is  a  party,  or  is  })ersonally  interested  in  the  subject-matter  under 
consideration,  in  which  event  one  of  the  ruhng  elders  may  preside, 
or  the  church  Session  may  invite  some  other  minister  to  act  as 
Moderator. 

(1)    A    MINISTER    NOT    IN    CHARCK    ACTS    AS    MODERATOR    AVITHOUT 

OBJECTION. 

We  have  considered  an  appeal  coming  in  the  following  case: 
Woodland  Congregation,  in  the  bounds  of  Xew  Hojte  Presbytery, 
in  the  Mississi])pi  Synod,  received  Eev.  J.  A.  Ellis  as  Moderator, 


THE  CHURCH  SESSION.  107 

without  inviting  him,  and  witliout  liis  having  any  connection  with 
the  congregation.  Tlie  Presbytery  sanctiuned  liiis,  but  censured 
a  similar  ])roceeding  in  the  case  of  Pleasant  Hill  Congregation. 
The  matter  was  appealed  to  the  Synod,  which  decided  that  "con- 
sistency and  good  government  ret|uired  that  the  Presbytery  should 
have  treated  alike  the  proceedings  of  both  congregations,'"'  and  your 
Committee  recommend  that  you  so  decide. 

Your  Committee  are  of  opinion,  however,  that  the  circumstance 
of  the  minister's  |n-esiding  as  Moderator,  without  an}-  objection 
thereto  being  interposed  by  the  Session,  was  equivalent  to  his  being 
invited  to  preside  as  Moderator.     Adopted. — 1(SS2,  p.  28. 

(2)    A    MINIHTEK    IXVITEIJ    TO    ACT    AS    ;MoDI-:RATOU    CAXXOT    VOTK. 

Your  Committee  on  Judiciary,  to  whom  was  referred  tbe  coui- 
plaint  of  J.  C.  Ste})lienson  against  Texas  Synod,  beg  to  report  as 
follows: 

The  facts  in  this  case  present  the  single  question  as  to  whether 
or  not  a  minister  acting  as  Moderator  of  the  Session  Ijy  invitation 
of  the  cluuch  Session,  as  provided  in  Section  1,  Clause  2,  of  our 
General  Pegulations,  has  the  right  to  cast  the  deciding  vote  in  case 
of  a  tie. 

This  question  was  regularly  brought  before  the  Synod  of  Texas, 
and  it  was  there  decided  that  the  invited  ^loderator  lias  the  right 
.<o  to  vote.  From  that  deliverance  this  cornjjlaint  is  regularly  pros- 
ecuted to  your  lieverend  Body. 

Your  Committee  are  of  opinion  that  the  deliverance  of  the 
Synod  should  l)e  affirmed,  and  they  so  recommend. 

It  is  agreed  that  tbe  following  statement  should  accompany  this 
report  as  part  of  it,  to  wit:  Revs.  J.  T.  Borah  and  J.  II.  Wofford, 
and  Puling  Elder  II.  H.  Bu(jUo  voted  against  the  finding  of  your 
Committee.  John  ]M.  Gaut  was.  at  his  request,  excused  from  vot- 
ing because  he  had  heretofore  published  his  opinion  in  the  case. 
Rev.  S.  M.  Templeton  was  also,  at  his  request,  excused  for  similar 
reasons,  and  i'rom  the  further  fact  that  he  took  part  in  the  action 
before  the  Synod.  Both  these  members  of  the  Committee  would 
have  voted  against  the  foregoing  report  and  recommendation  of 
vour  Committee. 


108  PART  II'.,  CHURCH  COURTS. 

It  was  moved  that  the  foregoing  report  be  so  amended  as  to 
read,  that  ""a  minister  acting  as  Moderator  of  the  Session,  by  in- 
vitation of  tlie  eiuireii  Session,  sliall  not  liave  tlie  right  to  vote,"' 
and  the  report  as  tluis  amended  was  adopted. — 1895,  p.  3-±. 

2.  The  Clerk  of  the  Session. 

[Note. — See  i'art  W .,  Section  2,  "Clerlvs  of  Church  Courts,"' 
or  General  Regulations,  Section  t,  and  Rules  of  Order,  Sections 
15,  16.] 

(Ij  The  Ci.ekk  is  the  ckeatuke  of  the  Session. 

They  have  also  had  before  them  the  ajjpeal  from  the  decision 
of  Sangamon  Synod,  in  the  following  case:  The  Session  of  West 
Union  Congregation  elected  a  new  Clerk,  ordering  him  to  procure 
from  the  old  Clerk  the  church  records.  The  old  Clerk  claimed 
that  he  was  still  the  Clerk,  and  the  Mackinaw  Presbytery  so  de- 
cided. The  case  was  appealed  to  the  Sangamon  Synod,  which 
reversed  said  decision  on  the  ground  that  the  Clerk  is  the  creature 
of  the  Session.  Your  Committee  recommend  that  you  affirm  the 
decision  of  the  Synod.     Adopted. — 1882,  p.  28. 

(2)  The  Clekk  should  keep  a  kecokd  ue  all  money. 

V\liereas,  It  is  desirable,  for  the  credit  and  encouragement  of 
the  Church,  that  the  total  contributions  of  our  meml)ers  should 
appear  in  the  Minutes  of  the  General  Assembly;  and 

T'F/tereos,  It  is  ai)j)arent  that  much  money  contributed  is  not  so 
reported,  and  hence  the  financial  showing  of  the  Church  is  par- 
tial and  incomplete;  therefore, 

Besolved,  That  it  is  the  sense  of  this  Asseinl)ly,  that  all  Session 
Clerks  or  Treasurers  should  keep  a  careful  record  of  all  money 
contributed  by  the  members  for  various  Church  enterprises,  in 
order  to  be  able  to  make  a  complete  rejjort  of  all  the  benevolent 
offerings  of  the  congregation. 

Resolved,  That  all  agents  or  others  collecting  money  from  the 
members  of  our  congregations,  should  give  a  recei])t  to  the  Session 
Clerk  or  Treasurer  for  the  amount  collected  for  the  cause  he 
represents. 


THE  CHURCH  SESSION.  109 

Eesuh'ed,  That  the  Presbyteries  are  urged  to  adopt  the  foregu- 
ing  resolutions,  aud  make  them  the  order  of  the  Presbytery. 
Adopted. — 189G,  p.  58. 

3.  Legality  of  the  Session  at  Madison ville,  Ky.,  recog- 
nized. 

Your  Committee  on  Judiciary  to  which  was  referred  the  records 
of  Green  Kiver  Synod,  and  the  papers  connected  with  the  Madisou- 
ville  congregation  case,  t^ubmit  the  following: 

It  appears  that  Pev.  W.  J^.  Casky  was  pastor  of  said  congregation, 
and  that,  after  the  withdrawal,  or  failure  to  attend,  of  a  portion  of 
the  elders,  .who  liad  been  a  ruling  elder  in  another  con- 
gregation, had  l)ecome  identilied  with  said  congregation  as  a  ruling 
elder,  and  was  recognized  as  such  in  the  transaction  of  its  business, 
and  was  delegated  by  said  congregation  to  represent  it  in  Presby- 
tery, and  was  so  recognized  by  all  parties;  that  another  ekler  was 
elected  by  the  congregation,  and  the  two,  together  with  the  pas- 
tor, constituted  the  Session,  and,  in  the  absence  of  the  other  elders, 
constituted  a  quorum,  and  transacted  the  business  of  the  Madi- 
sonville  Congregation.  Your  Committee  cannot  regard  this  as 
an  illegal  Session,  and  after  reading  the  report  of  the  Synod's 
Judiciary  Committee,  on  the  subject  of  the  legality  of  said  Session, 
they  are  strengthened  and  confirmed  in  this  ojjinion  by  the  reason- 
ing of  said  Committee. 

Not^nthstanding  the  argument  in  that  report  was  in  favor  of 
the  Session's  legality,  yet  the  Synod  voted  to  change  the  conclu- 
sion of  the  report  by  inserting  the  word  "not,"  thereby  deciding 
that  it  was  an  illegal  Session. 

In  the  opinion  of  your  Committee,  the  dealings  wdtli  the  re- 
fractory members  of  said  Church,  by  the  Session,  were  legal.  We 
do  not  deem  it  our  province  to  decide  on  the  charges,  specifica- 
tions and  proof.  It  is  the  law,  and  not  the  facts  of  the  case,  we 
are  deciding  upon.     Adopted. — 18T6,  p.  29. 

[Note. — Attention  is  called  to  the  fact  that  this  decision  was 
rendered  under  the  Old  Book.  The  reader  is  referred  to  the  Con- 
stitution, Section  2G.  of  the  New  Book,  found  in  this  work,  "Part 
IV./'  "The  Church  Session,"   on   page   105.— J.  V.   S.] 


1 10  PAR  T  IV.,  C  HURCH  CO  UR  TS. 

4.  The  Session  may  hold  a  meeting  in  the  absence  of 

the  minister. 

CoKSTiTUTiox,  ►Section  2(5. — In  the  absence  of  the  minister  in 
charge,  and  in  a  vacant  church,  the  ruhng  elders  alone  may  form 
a  church  Session,  for  the  transaction  of  any  business. 

It  is  the  opinion  of  this  (General  Assembly,  that  a  church  Session 
has  the  right  to  meet  and  transact  any  business  coming  before  it 
at  its  regular  meetings,  in  the  absence  of  the  pastor.  Adopted. — 
1850,  p.  16. 

"Have  the  ruling  elders  of  a  congregation  having  a  minister, 
the  authority  to  hold  meetings  for  the  transaction  of  business,  in 
the  absence  of  said  minister?"  We  answer  tliat  they  have. 
Though  the  minister  is  Moderator  of  the  Session,  yet  he  is  not 
invested  with  power  to  prevent  the  Session  from  convening  and 
transacting  business  in  his  absence,  whether  by  tardiness  or  in- 
tentional absence.     Adopted. — 1805,  p.  188. 

5.  The  Session  has   original   jurisdiction   over   church 

members. 

Rules  oe  Discipline,  Section  7. — Original  jurisdiction  in  re- 
lation to  .  .  .  church  members  pertains  to  the  church  Session. 

[Note. — This  means  that  the  Session  has  original  jurisdiction 
over  elders  and  deacons,  as  well  as  over  other  church  members. 
—J.  V.  S.] 

Constitution,  Section  27. — It  is  the  duty  of  the  church  Ses- 
sion to  admonish,  suspend,  or  excommunicate  those  found  delin- 
quent, subject  to  appeal. 

"Has  Presbytery  the  right  to  excommunicate  a  deposed  minister 
from  the  communion  of  the  Church?" 

In  the  judgment  of  your  Committee,  it  has  not.  The  church 
Session  alone  has  the  right  to  receive  into,  or  cut  off  from,  the 
communion  of  the  Churcli.     Adopted. — 1861,  p.  140. 


THE  CHURCH  SESSIOX.  HI 

6.  How  the   Session    should  enter    process   against  an 

elder  or  deacon. 

See  the  preceding  section  (3). — ■"The  Session  has  original  juris- 
diction over  church  members.'" 

As  the  Presbytery  enters  process  against  a  minister,  so  the  Ses- 
sion enters  process  against  an  elder  or  deacon.     . 

liuLEs  OF  Discipline^  Section  -±3. — This  principle  [see  first 
paragraph  in  Section  43,  Kules  of  UisciplineJ  shall  also  apply — 
the  necessary  changes  being  made — to  ruling  elders  and  deacons. 

The  memorial  from  Tulare  Presbytery  propounds  the  following 
question:  "Has  a  Presbytery  the  power  to  (k'j)ose  a  ruling  elder?" 
In  answer  to  this  question,  your  Committee  say  that,  as  a  general 
rule,  the  Session  is  the  only  Church  court  that  has  original  juris- 
diction to  hear  charges,  try  and  depose  a  ruling  elder.  But 
when,  from  any  cause,  a  fair  and  impartial  trial  can  not  be  had 
before  the  Session,  or  where  the  trial  of  the  case,  for  sufficient 
reasons,  is  referred  by  the  Session  to  the  Presbytery,  or  where  the 
case  is  removed  by  appeal  from  tlie  Session  to  the  Presbytery,  and 
is  there  heard  and  determined,  the  Presbyteiy  may  depose  an  elder, 
but  not  othenvise.     Adopted. — 1887,  p.  13. 

7.  When  may  the  Session  retire  the  name  of  a  church 

member  ? 

Rules  of  Discipline,  Sections  G3,  64. — When  a  member  shall 
make  his  offense  known  to  the  church  Session,  a  statement  of  the 
facts  shall  be  recorded,  and  judgment  rendered  without  process. 

64.  When  a  member  shall  profess  before  the  church  Session  an 
unregenerate  heart,  or  may  for  any  reason,  desire  to  cease  to  be 
a  member  of  the  church,  and  no  charges  are  jiending  against  him, 
the  court  may  retire  his  name  from  the  roll,  record  the  facts,  and, 
at  its  option,  announce  them  publicly.  However,  this  action  shall 
not  be  taken  until  the  church  Session  has  ascertained,  after  due 
inquiry,  that  the  conduct  of  the  member  is  not  the  result  of 
temptation  or  transient  darkness  of  spirit. 


112  PART  IW,  CHURCH  COURTS. 

8.  In  absence  of  testimony  to  the  contrary,  it  must  be 
presumed  that  the  Session  acted  upon  the  re- 
quest of  the  one  whose  name  was  retired. 

Your  CVnimiitlee.  to  whom  was  referred  tlie  matter  of  protest 
Ijy  rccvs.  J.  D.  13oone  and  W.  H.  Berry,  against  the  action  of  Col- 
orado Synod  and  Waco  Presljytery,  involving  criticism  or  censure 
of  the  action  of  the  church  .Session  in  Clifton  Congregation,  for 
dismissing  one  Martin  Oswold  from  the  roll  and  communion  of 
the  Congregation  of  Clifton,  without  k'ttor,  most  respectfully* 
re])ort: 

1.  Tlie  Session  of  Clifton  Congregation  dismissed  from  its  roll 
and  ct)mmunion  Martin  Uswold,  and  lecorded  said  dismissal  in 
its  Session  records,  making  no  mention  of  the  reasons  impelling 
the  Session  to  such  action. 

2.  Waco  Preshytery,  upon  an  inspection  of  the  minutes  of  the 
Session  taking  such  action,  passed  a  criticism  ii})on  the  minutes 
of  liie  Session  as  }n'esented,  which  was  construed  as  a  censure  upon 
the  Session  for  its  said  action. 

3.  The  case  tluis  presented  in  the  I'resbytery  was  carried  by 
protest  and  apjjcal  to  Colorado  Synod,  and  there,  by  action  of  the 
Synod,  the  Presbytery's  action  was  sustained  and  approved. 

4:.  From  the  Synod  the  case  conies  here,  by  appeal,  or  jirotest, 
seeking  settlement  by  your  lieverend  J>ody. 

3.  The  steps  taken  by  the  Presbytery,  and  by  the  Synod,  in  order 
to  get  the  case  })roperly  before  the  General  Assembly,  have  been 
in  substantial  compliance  with  the  modes  of  procedure  ordained 
for  their  government,  so  that  the  legality  of  the  action  takeii  by 
the  Presbytery,  and  affirmed  by  the  Synod,  must  be  determined 
by  reference  to  the  legality  or  illegality  of  the  action  of  Clifton 
Session,  in  the  first  instance,  taken  under  review  l)y  the  Presbytery 
and  Synod  respectively. 

G.  "When  a  membei'  shall  })rofess  before  the  church  Session  an 
uiH'egenerate  heart,  or  may,  for  any  reason,  desire  to  cease  to  bo 
a  member  of  the  church,  and  no  charges  are  pending  against  him, 
the  court  may  retire  bis  name  from  the  roll,"  etc.  (Kules  of  Dis- 
cipline, 64);  and  upon  this  rule,  properly  construed,  nnist  rest  the 
solution  of  the  question  involved. 


THE  CHURCH  SESSION.  113 

7.  The  objects  of  the  rule  are  to  j)roteet  the  jsurity  of  admin- 
istration and  the  rights  of  individuals.  The  church  Session  is  a 
court  of  competent  jurisdiction  for  the  purpose  of  determining 
who  shall  be  members  of  its  congregation,  and  stands  in  the 
best  position  to  know  what  is  best  and  proper  to  be  done,  within 
legal  limits,  in  any  given  case  arising  before  it,  and  should  not 
be  held  amenable  to  censure,  except  in  cases  of  gross  neglect, 
or  positive  error  apparent  on  the  record.  Inasmuch  as  it  ap- 
pears that  the  church  Session,  in  the  case  bei'oi'e  us,  had  the 
power  to  dismiss,  or  retire,  the  name  of  Oswold  from  the  roll, 
upon  request,  nt)  charges  being  preferred,  the  action  of  the  Ses- 
sion does  not  merit  censure.  It  must  be  presumed,  in  the  absence 
of  evidence  in  the  record  to  the  contrary,  that  the  Session  acted 
upon  request,  and  that  there  were  no  charges  pending  against  him. 

8.  The  Committee,  howevei",  linds  the  Session  recoid  not  so  full 
and  explicit  as  it  might  well  have  been  made,  and  therefore  it  was 
very  properly  referred  to  by  the  Presbytery  by  way  of  criticism, 
but  not  Ijy  way  of  censure.     Adopted. — 1888,  p.  33. 

9,  The  Session  may  retire  an  elder  or  deacon. 

C'oKSTiTUTiOK,  SECTION  47. — Yet,  a  ruling  elder  or  deacon  may, 
though  chargeable  with  neither  heresy  nor  immorality,  become 
unacceptable  in  his  official  character  to  a  majority  of  the  church 
which  he  serves,  in  sucli  a  case  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  church 
Session,  upon  aj)plication  either  from  the  officer  or  from  the 
church,  to  dissolve  the  relation.  Ihit  this  shall  not  he  done  with- 
out affording  full  opportunity  fur  the  parties  to  l)e  heard. 

10.  Sunday  schools  are  under  the  care    of   the  church 

Session. 

CoxsTiTUTiox,  Section  27. — It  is  the  duty  of  the  Session  "to 
establish  and  control  Sabbath  schools.*" 

We  recommend  that  this  (ieneral  Assembly  emphasize  to  the 
Presbyteries,  and  through  them  to  the  congregations,  the  fact 
that  all  Sabbath  schools  should  be  under  the  care  of  church  Ses- 
sions, and  that  the  Sessions  should  assume  and  maintain  the 
control  of  the  schools.     Adopted. — 1889,  p.  4G. 


114  PART  IV.,  CHURCH  COURTS. 

n«  When  a  Session  may  be  dissolved  by  Presbytery. 

The  following  was  adopted: 

Whereas,  The  opinion  of  this  Assembly  was  respectfully  solicited 
in  respect  to  the  means  by  which  difficnlties  are  to  be  settled  in 
church  Sessions,  therefore, 

Resolved,  That  the  following  answer  be  given.  The  Presbytery 
has  power  to  send  a  committee  to  confer  with  Sessions  where 
difficulties  exist,  and  to  settle  them  if  practicable;  if,  however, 
such  difficulties  cannot  be  removed,  Presljytery  may  dissolve  such 
Sessions,  and  divide  the  societies,  attaching  them  to  the  most  con- 
venient congregations,  the  Sessions  of  which  may  deal  with  olfend- 
ing  members. — 1842,  pp.  40,  41,  MSS. 

II.  THE  PRESBYTEKY. 

I.  Presbytery  organized  by  synodical  authority. 

Constitution,  Section  'M. — The  Synod  has  power  to  create, 
divide,  or  dissolve  Presbyteries,  when  deemed  exjjedient. 

The  papers  referred  to  us  from  parties  in  Oklahoma,  stating 
that  they  had  organized  the  Presbytery  of  Oklahoma,  and  desired 
that  the  Presbytery  be  recognized  by  this  General  Assembly,  have 
been  fnlly  considered.  The  memorial  states  that  the  parties  en- 
tering into  this  organization  were  formerly  members  of  Wichita 
Presbytery.  Nothing  appears  in  any  of  the  papers,  showing  any 
synodical  authority  for  such  action.  But,  on  the  contrary,  there 
is  a  statement  that  the  Kansas  Synod  did  not  authorize  the  or- 
ganizaion. 

Our  Constitution,  on  page  93,  states  explicitly  that  the  power 
to  create  a  Presbytery  belongs  exclnsively  to  the  Synod. 

We  therefore  recommend  that  yon  refuse  to  recognize  this  Pres- 
bytery, and  refer  the  whole  matter  to  Kansas  Synod.  Adopted. 
—1895.  p.  21. 

Y^onr  Committee  on  Judiciary  report  as  follows,  concerning  the 
formation  of  the  Presbytery  of  Seattle,  a  matter  referred  to  us, 


THE  PRESBYrERY.  115 

The  Synod  is  the  proper  court,  uuder  our  system,  to  authorize 
the  organization  of  Presbyteries  (Constitution,  Section  37)  and 
pass  upon  the  legahty  of  the  organization. 

The  question  of  the  regularity  or  irreguhirity  of  the  erection 
of  rt  Presbytery  could  not  come  before  this  General  Assembly, 
before  the  Synod  had  passed  upon  the  matter. 

There  is  no  evidence  before  this  Committee  that  the  Synod  has 
passed  upon  the  erection  of  Seattle  Presbytery.  Therefore  this 
matter  is  not  jiroperly  before  us  for  consideration. 

We  therefore  recommend  that  you  decline  to  consider  the  ques- 
tion of  the  formation  of  Seattle  Presbytery.  Adopted. — 1896, 
pp.  ir,  18. 

2.  Constituent  elements  of  Presbytery. 

CoNSTiTUTio.N,  SECTION  29. — A  Presbytery  consists  of  all  the 
ordained  ministers,  and  one  ruling  elder  from  each  church,  within 
a  certain  district. 

3.  What  entitles  a  church  to  representation  in  Presby- 
tery? 

CoNSTiTUTiox.  Section  29. — Every  particular  church  wMch  is 
willing  to  support  the  Gospel  as  God  has  prospered  it,  shall  be 
entitled  to  l)e  represented  by  a  ruling  elder  in  Presbytery. 

4.  What  constitutes  a  quorum  in  Presbytery? 

Constitution,  Section  30. — Any  three  ministers  belonging  to 
the  Presbytery,  being  met  at  the  time  and  place  appointed,  shall 
be  a  quorum  com])etent  to  proceed  to  business. 

5.  How  often  must  Presbytery  meet  ? 

Constitution.  Section  33. — The  Pres1)ytery  shall  meet  as  often 
as  once  a  year  on  its  own  adjournment. 

That  Synod  (Iowa)  expressed  the  opinion,  that  annual  meet- 
ings of  a  Presbytery  were  of  doubtful  propriety,  and  that  biennial 


116  PART  IV.,  CHURCH  COURTS. 

meetings  are  right  and  proper.  Your  C'ommitlee  are  decided  in 
the  opinion,  that  a  Presbytery  may  hold  annual  or  semi-annual 
Sessions,  but  not  biennial  sessions. — 1872.  p.   20. 

[Note. — This  decision  was  rendered  under  the  Old  iJook,  and 
has  only  a  moral,  no  legal,  force  since  the  Constitution  of  the 
New  Book  is  definite  on  this  point. — J.  V.  S.] 

6.  Assembly  refused  to  change  the    Constitution  so  as 

to  compel  Presbyteries  to  meet  at  same  time. 

^our  Committee  have  considered  the  memorial  from  liacon  Pres- 
bytery, asking  that  the  Constitution  be  so  amended  that  the  Pres- 
byteries meet  at  a  certain  time  each  year  for  the  employment  of 
ministers  as  pastors  or  supplies;  and  since  there  is  abundant  con- 
stitutional provision  for  the  regulation  of  that  matter,  we  recom- 
mend that  the  petition  be  not  granted.  Pnit  we  suggest  that  the 
Presbyteries  be  urged  to  exercise,  diligently,  their  authority  in 
such  matters.     Adopted. — 1895,  p.  31. 

7.  Provision   for   failure    of  Presbytery   to  meet  at  the 

time  to  which  it  stood  adjourned. 

Constitution,  Section  34. — If.  for  any  cause,  the  Presbytery 
shall  fail  to  meet  at  the  time  and  place  to  which  it  stands  ad- 
journed, it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Moderator,  or,  in  case  of  his 
absence,  death,  or  inability  to  act,  the  Stated  Clerk,  or,  in  case 
of  liis  absence,  death,  or  inability  to  act,  any  three  ministers  be- 
longing to  the  Presbytery,  to  call  a  meeting  as  early  as  practicable, 
at  such  place  as  may  be  designated,  for  the  transaction  of  the 
regular  business;  and  for  this  purpose  a  circular  letter  shall  be 
sent,  as  before  prescribed,  not  less  than  ten  days  before  the  meet- 
ing. 

8.  Special  meetings  of  Presbytery. 

Constitution,  Section  33. — When  an  emergency  shall  require 
a  meeting  sooner  than  the  time  to  which  it  stands  adjourned,  the 
Moderator,  or,  in  case  of  his  absence,  death,  or  inabilitv  to  act. 


THE  PRESBYTERY.  11? 

the  Stated  Clerk  shall,  with  the  concurrence,  or  at  the  request,  of 
two  ministers,  and  two  ruling  elders  of  different  churches,  call  a 
special  meeting.  For  this  purpose  he  shall  give  notice — specifying 
the  particular  business  of  the  intended  meeting — to  every  minister 
belonging  to  the  Presbvtery,  and  to  the  church  Session  of  every 
particular  church,  in  due  time  })revious  to  the  meeting,  which  shall 
not  1h'  less  than  ten  days.  And  nothing  shall  be  transacted  at 
such  special  meeting  l)esides  the  jiarticular  business  for  which  the 
Presl>ytery  has  l)een  thus  convened. 

9.  Members  of  special  (or  called)  meetings  of  Presbytery^ 

General  Regulations.  Section  8. — Called  meetings  of  church 
courts  above  the  church  Session  shall  be  composed  of  the  same 
members,  or  their  alternates,  constituting  the  preceding  stated 
meeting  of  the  same  court,  unless  the  constituent  body  shall  desig- 
nate some  one  else  as  a  representative  to  such  called  meeting. 

JO.  Moderator  of  Presbytery. 

[Note. — See  "Part  W .T  Section  1,  "Moderators  of  the  Church 
Courts,"  p.  101.] 

\  \ .  Stated  Clerk  of  Presbytery. 

[Note. — See  General  Regulations,  Section  'I.  and  Rules  of 
Order,  Sections  lo,  16,  under  "Clerks  of  Church  Courts,*'  p.  102.] 

We  further  reconnuend.  tbat,  as  a  matter  of  convenience  in  the 
transaction  of  business  lietween  your  Stated  Clerk  and  the  Pres- 
l)yteries.  tbe  Presbyteries,  wben  ])racticable,  shall  select  tbe  same 
person  Clerk  and  Treas\u"er.     Adopted. — 1897,  p.   63. 

That  it  shall  l)e  the  duty  of  the  Stated  Clerks  of  Presbyteries 
to  report  to  the  Presbyteries  tbe  names  of  the  Clerks  of  church 
Sessions  who  fail  to  discharge  their  obligations  in  this  particular, 
and  tbat  the  Presl)yteries  be  directed  to  urge  upon  church  Ses- 
sions the  removal  of  inefficient  Clerks  of  Sessions,  and  the  ap- 
pointment of  faithful  ones  in  their  stead.     Adopted. — 1889,  p.  52„ 


118  ART  IV.,  CHURCH  CO UR IS. 

■   [Note.— See    under    "Clerks    oi'    L'liurck    I'uurls,"    '■iiiellicient 
clerks  to  be  removed,"  {».  103. J 

We  have  before'  u^;  I  he  lueuioiial  i'roin  Platte  Presbytei-}',  asking 
this  General  Assembly  to  recommend  to  the  Presbyteries  that 
they  require  their  Stated  Clerks  to  re})ort  all  money  expended  in 
their  respective  l)ounds  for  the  cause  of  education,  lu  the  General 
Assembly's  lioard  of  i^ducation,  and  that  said  lioard  be  required 
to  include  the  amounts  so  reported  in  its  annual  report  to  the 
General  Assembly.  After  due  consideration,  w  c  iccommcnd  tliat 
the  petition  of  said  memorial  be  gi'anled.     Adopted. — 1S!)2,  )>.  '.Vi. 

12.  Advisory  members   and  visiting  brethren  in  Pres- 
bytery. 

General  liEorLATioNs.  Section  9. — Ministers  in  good  stand- 
ina"  in  other  Presbvteries.  or  in  anv  ecclesiastical  hodv  with  which 
this  Church  has  establislied  correspondence,  being  ]iresent  at  any 
meeting  of  a  Presbytery  or  Synod,  may  be  invited  to  >it  and  de- 
liberate as  advisory  membeis.  ]\Iinisters  of  like  standing  in  other 
evangelical  Churches  may  be  invited  to  sit  as  visiting  l)rethren. 
it  is  proper  for  the  Moderator  appropriately  to  introduce  these 
ministers. 

[Note. — Special  attention  is  called  to  the  difference  between 
the  terms  "advisory  members"  and  "visiting  bretliren."  Frequently 
ministers  of  other  Churches  are  invited  to  seats  in  Presbytery  as 
"advisory  members,"  when  they  should  be  invited  to  seats  as 
"visiting  brethren"  only. — J.  V.  S.] 

V3.  Powers  of  Presbytery. 

Constitution,  Section  31. — The  Pres1)ytery  has  tbe  power  to 
examine  and  decide  ap])eals.  com]ilaints,  and  references  l)rought 
before  it  in  an  orderly  manner:  to  receive,  examine,  dismiss,  and 
licence  candidates  for  the  holy  ministry;  to  receive,  dismiss,  ordain, 
install,  remove,  and  judge  ministers:  to  review  the  records  of  the 
church  Sessions,  redress  whatever  they  may  have  done  contrary 
to  order,  and  take  effectual  care  that  thev  observe  the  government 


THE  I'RESIJYTKk'Y.  119 

of  the  C'hurch;  to  establish  the  pastoral  relation,  and  to  dissolve 
it,  at  the  request  of  one  or  both  of  the  parties,  or  vvhei'e  ihe 
interests  of  religion  imperatively  demand  it;  to  set  apai't  evan- 
gelists to  their  proper  work;  to  require  ministers  to  devote  them- 
selves diligently  to  their  sacred  calling,  and  to  censure  and  other- 
wise discipline  the  delinquent;  to  see  that  the  injunctions  of  the 
higher  courts  are  obeyed;  to  condenni  eironeous  o])ini()ns  whicJi 
injure  the  jiurity  or  jieace  of  the  Chuich;  to  resolve  questions  of 
doctrine  and  discijiline  seriously  and  reasonal)ly  projjosed;  to  visit 
particular  churches,  to  iiujuire  into  theii'  condition,  and  redress 
the  evils  that  may  have  arisen  in  them;  to  unite  or  divide  churches, 
with  the  consent  of  a  majority  of  the  niendjers  thereof,  and,  for 
cause,  to  dissolve  the  relations  Ijetween  it  and  a  particular  church, 
which  shall  thereafter  cease  to  be  a  constituent  of  the  Cumberland 
]'resbyterian  Church,  and  forfeits  all  rights  as  such;  to  form  and 
receive  new  churches;  to  take  special  oversight  of  vacant  churches; 
to  ccuiccrl  ineasures  for  the  enlargement  of  the  Church  within  its 
bounds;  in  general,  to  order  whatever  ])ertains  to  the  spiritual 
welfare  of  the  churches  under  its  care;  to  ap])oint  representatives 
to  the  higher  courts;  and,  finally,  to  })ropose  to  the  Synod,  or 
to  the  General  Assembly,  such  measures  as  may  be  of  common 
advantage  to  the  Church  at  large. 

(1)  Pkesbyteey  has  the  power  to  receive  ministers. 

There  are  but  two  ways  by  which  a  man  can  l)ecome  a  member 
of  a  Presbytery:  1st,  by  regular  process  of  trial,  licensure  and 
ordination,  whereby  he  is  constituted  a  minister  of  Jesus  Christ; 
2nd,  By  a  letter  of  dismission  and  I'ecommendation  from  om'  Pres- 
bytery to  another. 

To  constitute  a  man  a  minister  of  Christ  and  clothe  him  with 
full  ecclesiastical  authority,  by  a  simple  declaration  or  resolution, 
is  wholly  unknown  to  the  Constitution  of  our  Church,  and  is 
Avithout  precedent.     Adopted. — 1858.  ]).  19. 

General  Kegulations,  Section  7. — Ministers  from  other 
denominations  seeking  admission  to  a  Presb3'tery  shall  be  exam- 
ined touching  their  views  in  theology  and  upon  church  govern- 
ment; shall  be  required  to  answer  in  the  affirmative  the  questions 


120  PART  IV.,  CHURCH  COURTS. 

put  to  licentiates  at  their  ordination,  and  shall,  in  other  respects, 
satisfy  the  Presl)ytery  of  their  fitness  for  the  Gospel  ministry. 

Can  any  one  heeome  a  minister  and  member  of  a  Presbytery 
of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church  without  adopting  the 
Confession  of  Faith  and  Form  of  Government  of  the  Church? 

Answer.  He  cannot.     Adopted. — 1873,  ]>.  30. 

(«)  FrtiiKJtilciil  iiicnihcrtilti/i  in  rn'shylcry  rcinU'yx  ads  nf  (he 
iniposlcr  iuid. 

The  memorial  presented  by  tlie  Bacon  Presbytery  raises  the 
following  question: 

A  person  who  never  was  an  ordained  nunisler,  obtains  mem- 
bershi}>  in  a  Presbytery  Ijy  fraud  and  misrepresentation;  the  in- 
quiry is  made,  Are  his  acts  in  administering  the  law  and  or- 
dinances of  the  Church  valid?  Tlie  Committee  are  of  the  opinion 
Ihat  a  Presbytery  cannot  confer  ujion  any  person  lawful  authority 
to  adnnnisler  the  law  and  ordinances  of  the  Church,  who  is  nut  a 
regularly  ordained  minister,  and  that  the  mere  act  of  receiving 
such  a  person  a.s  a  meudjcr  of  Presbytery,  docs  not  confer  such 
authority  upon  him.  Not  being  ordained,  he  could  not  lie  em- 
powered to  ])erform  acts  that  only  ordained  ministers  can  ])er- 
form.  It  would  follow,  then,  that  all  his  acts  of  the  character 
referred  to  are  absolutely  void.     Adojited. — 1875,  j).  24. 

{h)  A   niini.sler  atn  /nnisffr  Jiis  ii/emhers]iiji  In/  lelfer  unlij. 

Rules  op  Discipline,  Section  98. — No  minister  or  probationer, 
a  member  of  a  Presbytery,  shall  be  admitted  to  i  .jmbership  in 
another  Presbytery  without  a  letter  of  dismission  fiom  the  Pres- 
bytery to  which  he  belongs,  or  from  the  Synod  of  which  said 
Presbytery  is  a  constituent  part. 

(c)  A  tniiiister  cannot  I)e  received  "n/;  tlte  faith  of  a  fortliroming 
letter.'' 

Your  Connuittee  on  the  Minutes  of  the  Ohio  Synod  would  re- 
port, that  we  have  had  in  our  hands  the  records  of  1878  and  1879. 
We  find  in  them  no  record  of  a  departure  from,  our  standards, 
except  (page  22,  records  1879),  that  the  Synod  authorizes  the  Stated 


THE  PkliSBYTERy.  121 

Clerk  of  the  ^Iiiskingiiiii  Presbytery  to  receive  and  enroll,  as  a 
member  of  said  l'resl)ytery,  any  one  presenting  to  him  a  letter 
of  dismission  and  rt'comniendation.  This  your  Committee  think 
is  not   l'res])yterian.     A])i)rovc'd. — 1880,  j).   Ki. 

The  reteptit)n  and  the  disnussion  of  ministers  are  presbyterial 
acts.  The  Constitution.  Section  ol,  says  that  the  Presbytery  has 
power  to  "receive,"  and  "dismiss"  ministers.  In  General  Regula- 
tions, Section  (J,  the  foi'm  of  the  letter  to  Ije  given  a  minister 
closes  as  follows:  "Given  by  order  of  said  Presljytery,  this  —  day 
of  — ,  xV.i).  — ."  This  clearly  shows  that  the  Presbytery  must 
be  in  session  on  the  day  on  which  the  letter  is  dated. 

A  great  deal  of  looseness  has  grown  \\\s  on  account  of  Presby- 
teries' directing  their  Clerks  to  give  letters  "if  called  for,"  and 
by  receiving  ministeis  "on  the  faith  of  a  ft)rthcoming  letter,"  as 
shown  by  the  report  of  the  Stated  Clerk,  it  appearing  that  eight 
ministers  are  re|)orted  each  as  being  a  member  of  two  Presbyteries 
at  the  same  time.  This  jiractice  is  clearly  contrary  to  the  law. 
In  1880  (Minutes,  p.  IG)  the  Assembly  held  that  the  Stated  Clerk 
of  a  certain  Presbytery  could  not  "receive  and  enroll,  as  a  member 
of  said  Presbytery,  any  one  ])resenting  to  him  a  letter  of  dis- 
mission and  recommendation." 

If  a  Clerk  cannot  "receive  and  enroll,"  he  certainly  cannot  issue 
a  letter  "if  called  for."  The  one  calling  for  a  letter  on  such 
conditions  is  either  a  mend)er  of  the  Presbyteiy  when  it  adjourns 
or  he  is  not.  If  he  is  not,  there  could  arise  no  occasion  later  for 
his  calling  for  a  letter.  If  he  is  a  member  of  the  Presbytery  on 
its  adjournment,  the  granting  of  a  letter  by  the  Stated  Clerk  is  not 
a  presbyterial  act,  and  hence  is  contrary  to  the  law. 

In  18G.J  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church, 
U.  S.  A.  (Old  School),  held  that  the  act  of  a  Presbytery  in  ap- 
pointing the  ^Moderator  and  the  Stated  Clerk  a  committee  to 
grant  letters  was  unconstitutional.  The  New  School  Assembly 
held  that  a  Presbytery  cannot  authorize  its  Stated  Clerk  to  grant 
letters  during  the  intervals  of  its  meetings. 

We  recommend  that  you  decree  thai,  as  the  reception  and  dis- 
mission of  ministers  are  ])resbyterial  acts,  no  Presbytery  can  re- 
ceive a  minister  on  "a  forthcoming  letter,"'  or  authorize  its  Stated 
Clerk  to  grant  ?..  letter  to  a  minister  "when  called  for,"  and  that 


122  PART  II'.,  CHURCH  COURTS. 

letters  cannot   he  granted  exee])t  hy  Presbyteries  while  iu  session, 
and  that  witlioiit  conditions.     Adoi)te(;h — 181)'),  p.  W. 

{lI)  A' antes  of  iininsler.s  rc'iiorled  fts  lianiuj  hccn  received  un  "'furih- 
COmiiKj"  tellers  are  Id  he  miitlled  fraiii  llic  ndl. 

1  must  report  tliat  during  the  past  year  tliere  have  come  to  my 
notice,  tlirough  oliicial  correspondence,  many  cases  of  laxness  in 
the  administration  of  church  government.  In  contravention  of 
deliverances  of  your  Ijody.  ministers  are  received  into  Presbyteries 
on  "fortlicoming  letters,"  and  women  are  received  under  the  care 
of  Presbyteries  as  ])rol)ationers  for  the  ministry.  When  a  minister 
is  reported  as  having  hi'cn  thus  received  Ijy  a  Presbytery,  and 
when  a  woman  is  rejiorlcd  as  lia\ing  l)een  thus  received  under 
the  care  of  a  Preshyteiy,  1  I'olhjW  ihe  rule  of  leaving  the  names 
of  such  imli\idnals  oil'  the  oliicial  idll  of  the  Presbytery,  under- 
standing that  your  past  deliverances  involve  instructions  to  your 
Stated  Clerk  to  that  elfect.  If  ho  is  wrong  in  this,  you  will 
please  give  him  instructions  to  the  contrary. — From  Beport  of  the 
dialed  Cirri-,  JS!>S.  j,.  11). 

To  this  the  Asscnd)ly,  tlu'ough  its  Committee,  replied:  Basing 
his  action,  as  he  does,  u])on  foi'uier  deliverances  of  the  Assembly, 
we  believe  your  Stated  Clerk  is  right  in  omitting  from  the  official 
roll  of  the  Presbytery  the  names  of  ministers  reported  as  having 
been  received  "on  the  faith  of  a  forthcoming  letter,"  and  the  names 
of  women  reported  as  having  been  received  under  the  care  of  the 
Presbytery.— 1898,  p.  52. 

(2)    Presbytery    has    the    power    to    receive    and    license 

probationers. 

Constitution,  Sections  oO.  ~)\. — The  Holy  Scriptures  require 
that  those  who  are  to  be  ordained  to  the  ministry  shall  previously 
undergo  a  suitable  trial,  in  order  that  this  office  may  not  be 
degraded  by  being  committed  to  weak  or  unworthy  men,  and  that 
opportunity  may  be  afforded  to  form  a  correct  judgment  re- 
specting the  talents  of  those  seeking  admission  to  this  office.  For 
this  purpose  Presbyteries  shall  receive  and  license  probationers  to 


77//:  PRESBYTERY.  123 

preach  the  Gospel,  that,  after  a  cojuiiek'nt  tiial  of  their  talents, 
they  nia}'  in  due  time  be  ordained. 

."jI.  Presbj'teries,  in  receiving  probationers,  shall  reijuire  satis- 
factory testimonials  of  their  good  moral  character  and  regular 
membership  in  some  particular  church.  It  is  the  duty  of  the 
Presbytery,  for  its  satisfaction  with  regard  to  the  real  piety  of 
each  probationer,  to  examine  him  respecting  his  experimental  ac- 
quaintance with  religion,  the  motives  which  influence  him  to  desire 
the  sacred  nfliice.  and  his  internal  call  to  this  important  work. 

(^/)   (JiKiiilicdlidiis  fur  license. 

Co^sTiTt'Tiox,  Section  52. — Probationers  shall  l>e  re(iuired 
before  licensui'c  to  jiroduce  satisfactory  evidence  of  having  re- 
ceived at  least  a  good  I'higlish  education;  and,  in  order  to  make 
trial  of  their  talents,  the  Presbytery  shall  require  a  written  dis- 
course on  some  common  head  of  divinity,  from  time  to  time,  until 
it  shall  be  satisfied  as  to  their  piety  and  aptness  to  teach;  and  they 
may  also  be  required  to  ]ircsent  a  recommendation  from  the  church 
Session  of  the  particular  church  of  which  they  are  memijers.  They 
shall  also  be  required  to  exercise  their  gifts  in  public  exhortation, 
and  shall  Ije  carefully  examined  on  revealed  theology,  before  they 
are  licensed. 

{b)  LiceiisiiKj  CaiuUdales. 

CoxsTiTUTiox.  Section  ."iS. — Before  the  Presbytery  proceeds  to 
license  the  candidate,  a  minister  appointed  to  preside  shall  ])ro- 
pose  to  him  the  following  questions: 

I.  Do  yon  believe  the  Scriptures  of  the  Old  and  the  New  Testa- 
ment to  l)e  the  Word  of  (lod,  the  only  infallibh'  I'ulc  of  faith  and 
l)ractice? 

II.  Do  you  sincerely  receive  and  ado])t  the  Confession  of  Paith 
and  the  Catechism  of  the  Cumljerland  Presbyterian  Church  as  con- 
taining the  system  of  doctrines  taught  in  the  Holy  Scriptures? 

III.  Do  yon  promise  to  study  the  peace,  unity,  and  purity  of 
the  Church? 

IV.  Do  yon  ])romise  to  submit  yourself,  in  the  Lord,  to  this 
Presbytery,  or  to  any  other  Presbytery  of  this  Church,  under  the 
care  of  which  you  may  be? 


124  PART  /I'.,  CHURCH  COURTS. 

The  candidate  having  answered  the  questions  in  tlie  affirmative, 
the  presiding  minister,  liaving  offered  a  prayer  suitable  to  the 
occasion,  shall  address  the  candidate  to  the  following  purport:  In 
the  name  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  by  the  authority  wliich 
he  has  given  to  his  Church  for  its  edification,  wt-  do  license  you 
to  preach  the  Gospel,  as  a  ]irobationer,  in  the  bounds  of  this 
Presbytery,  or  wherever  God,  in  his  i)rovidence,  may  cast  your  lot; 
and  for  this  purpose  may  the  blessing  of  God  rest  u})on  you,  and 
the  spirit  of  Christ  hll  your  heart.     Amen. 

Proper  record  of  the  licensure  shall  be  made. 

(f)   A  candiddir   irilhiruf  n   letter. 

Is  it  legal,  if  a  candidate  for  the  ministiy  under  the  care  of  a 
Presbytery  has  uioved  within  the  bounds  of  another  Presl)ytery, 
without  a  letter  of  dismission,  for  tliis  Presbytery  to  receive  said 
candidate  under  its  care,  as  a  candidate  for  the  juinistry,  and 
license  him.  without  first  corresponding  with  the  Presbytery  from 
which  he  came?    Ansirer.  It  is  not.     Adopted. — 18Tf,  p.  29. 

(d)  A  candidate  or  licentiate  reapunsible  fa  tlie  Sesf>i(iii  fat  his 
conduct. 

"Before  what  tiiljunal  shall  a  candidate  or  licentiate  l)e  tried 
for  immoral  conc'uet?"" 

We  answer,  that  his  probation  as  a  candidate  or  licentiate  may, 
for  any  cause,  be  discontinued  by  the  Presbytery;  but  he  should 
be  tried  for  immoral  conduct  by  the  Session  of  that  congregation 
of  which  he  is  a  member.     Adopted. — 186G,  p.  50. 

(e)  Name  nf  pnibationer  may  lie  dropped  irllliouf  dssii/iiiin/  any 
reason  for  the  action. 

Constitution,  Section  54. — When  the  services  of  a  jjroba- 
tioner  do  not  appear  to  be  edifying  to  the  church,  or  when  the 
Presbytery  may,  for  any  other  reason,  deem  it  advisable  to  do  so, 
it  may  recall  his  license  or  drop  his  name  from  the  list  of  ])ro- 
bationers  without  assigning  the  reason  therefor:  and  it  shall  be 
its  duty  to  do  so  whenever  the  probationer  shall,  without  necessity, 
devote  himself  to  such  pursuits  as  interfere  with  a  full  trial  of 
his  gifts  and  a  proper  preparation  for  the  work  of  the  ministry. 


THE  PRESBYTERY.  Vlh 

(/')  May  IkaniiaUa  perform  the   inarriiuje  ceremony'? 

Whereas,  The  Illinois  Presbyter}^  has  presented  a  request  for 
the  opinion  of  this  General  Assembly,  relative  to  the  authority 
of  licentiates  to  solemnize  the  rite  of  matrimony,  therefore 

liesulved,  That  this  house  is  of  the  opinion  that  it  is  the  priv- 
ilege of  the  several  Presbyteries  to  act  in  the  matter,  agreeably 
to  the  laws  of  their  respective  States.  Adopted. — 183U,  pp.  28, 
29,  MSS. 

liesulved,  That  licensed  preachers  of  the  Cumberland  Presby- 
terian Church  ])Ossess  every  recjuisite  qualification  to  perform  the 
rite  of  matrimon}',  except  where  provision  is  made  to  the  c-ontrary 
in  the  laws  of  the  States.     Adopted. — 18G2,  p.   62. 

The  Foster  Presbytery  submits  tlie  following  question: 
"Have  licensed   ^probationers    for   the    Gospel   ministry,   in   the 
Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,  the  authority  to  solemnize  the 
holy  rite  of  matrimony?" 

Your  Committee  answer  this  question  as  follows: 
The  only  provision  on  this  suljject  contained  in  our  book  of 
church  government  is  as  follows:  "Marriage  is  not  a  sacrament, 
or  peculiar  to  the  Church  of  Christ."  It  is  proper  that  every 
commonwealth,  for  the  good  of  suciety,  make  laws  to  regulate  the 
marriage  relation,  which  all  citizens  are  bound  to  obey.  Therefore, 
unless  the  statutes  of  the  State  in  which  the  marriage  is  to  take 
place  shall  authorize  licensed  probationers  to  solemnize  the  mar- 
riage relation,  then  said  probationers  in  the  Cumberland  Presby- 
terian Church  shall  not  have  such  authority.  But  where  such 
authority  is  conferred  by  the  statutes  of  the  State,  then  they  may 
solemnize  the  rite  of  matrimony.     Adopted. — 1887,  p.  38. 

{g)  May  a  pmhatioiier  .•<t'rrc  as  a  ruling  elder? 

Resolved.  That  candidates  for  the  ministry  be  not  admitted,  in 
future,  to  seats  in  Presbyteries  or  Synods,  as  representatives  from 
churches. — From  Minutes  of  Cumberland  Synod,  October,  182J^. 

The  Synod   took   the  following  action: 

Resolved,  That  the  several  Presbyteries  under  our  care  express 
their  opinions  at  our  next  Synod,  whether  the  resolution  of  a 
former  Synod  became  a  law,  which  was  in  substance,  ''That  no 


9 
126  PART  IW,   CHURCH  COURTS. 

candidate  or  lieentiatc  should  bu  I'liiilled  to  a  seat  in  Presbj^tery 
or  Synod,  but  that  he  might  exereibe  that  ollice  as  ruling  elder 
in  the  church  Session;""  and  that  all  the  Presbyteries  which  are 
represented  in  this  body  at  this  time  take  a  copy  of  this  resolution 
with  them,  and  that  the  Clerk  transmit  a  copy  of  this  resolution 
to  all  the  Presbyteries  which  are  not  represented  here. — Frnm 
Minutes  of  Cumberland  Si/nod.  Xdrenihcr,  18.27. 

The  following  appears  as  the  actioii  oi'  the  Synod,  on  the  re})orts 
juade  from  the  Presbyteries: 

Whereas,  A  resolution  of  a  fonner  Synod  wa^^  sent  by  the  last 
Synod  to  the  different  Presbyeries  for  their  concurrence,  which 
has  now  been  ()l)lained  from  more  than  two-thirds  of  the  Pres- 
hyteries,  it  therefore  becomes  a  law,  the  substance  of  which  is, 
"That  no  licentiate  or  candidate  for  the  ministry  should  have  a 
seat  in  Presbytery  or  Synod,  Imt  that  he  may  exercise  that  office 
in  church  Sessions."" — From  Minutes  of  (' inid)crlaiid  Si/nod,  October, 
182S. 

The  Committee  on  Judiciary  beg  leave  to  report,  that  they 
have  duly  considered  the  resolution  offered  by  liev.  J.  E.  Lowraiice, 
and  referred  to  them,  and  respectfully  sul)mit  that  a  ruling  elder, 
l)y  becoming  a  candidate  for  the  minstry,  does  not  cease  to  be  a 
ruling  elder  in  his  congregation,  hut  they  deem  it  expedient  for 
a  ruling  elder,  on  becoming  a  candidate  for  the  ministry,  to  re- 
sign his  office  of  riding  elder. — 18'/'2,  p.  33. 

There  has  been  referred  to  us  the  report  of  the  committee 
appointed  to  examine  the  minutes  of  the  Pacific  Synod.  Wo 
are  asked  to  pass  on  a  notice  of  an  appeal  to  the  Moderator's 
ruling  as  to  whether  a  licentiate  can  serve  as  a  ruling  elder  and 
represent  his  church  in  the  Presbytery  and  Synod.  We  report 
as  follows:  There  is  no  law  forbidding  a  licentiate's  serving  as 
a  ruling  elder,  in  cases  of  emergency.  He  should  not,  however, 
vote  in  the  matter  as  to  his  ordination,  or  when  he  is  otherwise 
interested  personally.     Adopted. — 1888,  p.  35. 

A  candidate  for  the  ministry  or  a  licentiate,  who  is  also  a  ruling 
elder,  may,  in  the  opinion  of  your  Committee,. properly  be  elected 


THE  PRESnYTERY.  127 

to    represent    his    cungix'<;aliuu    in    i'resbytci'y.      Adopted. — 1895, 
p.  42. 

(/<)  Tfunsfcr  iif  a  licctiliatc,  irilkuul  a  k'tlcr,  dues  nut  vitiate  his 
ordinatiun. 

Altliuiigh  the  transfer  of  a  licensed  preacher  from  one  Presbytery 
to  another,  without  a  letter  of  dismission  and  recommendation  is 
irregular,  yet  a  man  ordained  under  such  circumstances  is  truly 
an  ordained  minister,  and  as  such  is  comi)etent  to  the  discharge 
of  all  the  duties  of  his  office.     Approved. — 18G7.  }).  83. 

(/)    What  I'reshiiterij  mat/  rcsiure  d   license? 

The  Assembly  gave  ;i  negative  answer  to  the  following  cjues- 
tion: 

When  any  Presbytery,  for  reasons  satisfactory  to  itself,  shall 
withdraw  the  license  of  any  probationer,  he,  at  the  time  of  such 
act,  holding  himself  amenable  to,  and  claiming  that  his  right  to 
preach  is  from,  the  authority  of  said  Presbytery,  can  any  other 
Presbytery  restore  to  him  his  license? — 1860,  p.  T-i. 

(y)  Buard  uf  Educaliun  nut  to  extend  aid  iu  prubatiuners  who 
use  tobacco. 

Resolved,  That  the  Board  of  Education  are  hereby  instructed 
to  give  no  aid  to  any  candidate  for  the  ministry,  in  securiftg  an 
education,  who  uses  tobacco,  and  that  it  is  the  duty  of  the  Board 
of  Education  to  know,  before  aiding  any  student,  that  he  does 
not  use  tobacco.     Adopted. — 1889,  p.  51. 

(A-)  Marriage  of  Frobat loners,  bcfure  their  education  is  completed, 
to  be  discouraged  by  the  Presbyteries. 

In  its  report  to  the  General  Assembly,  the  Educational  Society, 
in  1897,  spoke  as  follows: 

The  continued  distressing  financial  situation  necessarily  em- 
phasizes every  consideration  looking  toward  the  most  economical 
administration  of  our  educational  work.  The  probationer  must 
be  educated  at  any  cost,  but  that  cost  should  be  made  as  light 
as  possible.     It  is  often   found   that  the  fact  of  a  probationer's 


128  PARl^  //'..   CHURCH  COURTS. 

being  married  is  a  serious  o])Stac'le  to  his  getting  an  edncation. 
Experience  compels  us  to  call  your  attention  ti)  this  delicate  sub- 
ject, with  the  hojje  that  some  action  by  your  Ijody  mav  invoke 
presbyterial  authority  to  prevent  a  probationer's  taking  upon  him- 
self these  extra  obligations  before  the  paramount  one  of  thorough 
equijmient  for  his  life  work  is  fully  met.  Some  reasonable  regula- 
tio;;,  intelligently  and  kindly,  but  Jlrnily  enforced,  seems  to  be 
needed.  In  isohited  cases  the  marriage  of  a  probationer  niav  seem 
not  to  liave  interfered  with  his  education,  l)ut  as  a  rule  there 
can  be  no  question  as  to  its  effect.  If  a  Presbytery  has  the  right 
to  supervise  a  probationer's  course  in  such  matters,  certainlv  ex- 
perience is  abundant  to  call  for  the  vigorous  exercise  of  pres- 
byterial  authority.— 1897,  p.   89. 

Then  the  (leneral  Assembly  adopted  the  following  recommen- 
dation submitted  by  the  Committee  on  Education: 

That  you  instruct  the  Presbyteries  to  use  their  inlhience  to 
cause  probationers  to  refrain  from  marriage,  until  after  their 
prcj;aration  for  their  life  work  is  completed,  experience  having 
fully  demonstrated  that  marriage  prior  thereto  is  a  detriment  to 
a  young  man's  preparatory  studies,  and  also  frequently  a  hardshi}) 
to  the  young  women  involved,  it  being  evidently  best,  as  a  rule, 
for  the  Church  and  for  the  parties  concerned,  that  marriage 
should  be  deferred  as  herein  advised. — 189?,  p.  35. 

(Z)  Presbyti'vii  iikiij  iimisc  lai/  jurdchers. 

The  Assembly  adopted  the  following: 

"Has  a  Presbytery  the  right  to  license  exhorters  (or  lay 
preachers)  to  exercise  their  gift  in  public,  who  ask  for  presbyterial 
authority  to  do  so?'' 

This  cpiestion  is  not  altogether  free  from  difliculties,  and  upon 
its  proper  answer  depend  grave  consequences. 

Your  Committee  recognize  in  the  Constitution  of  our  Church 
two  kinds  of  licensure;  one  is  expressed,  the  other  only  implied. 

The  expressed  license  is  that  which  is  set  forth  and  treated  of 
in  sections  50  to  54,  inclusive,  of  the  Constitution,  and  is  a  step 
toward  ordination  to  the  holy  office  of  the  Gospel  ministry,  and 
can,  in  the  opinion  of  your  Committee,  be  granted  only  to  can- 
didates or  applicants  for  ordination  to  that  holy  ofHee. 


THE  PRESBYTERY.  129 

The  implied  license  is  that  right  by  which  laymen  in  the  Churcli 
perform  the  duties  required  of  them  by  the  Church,  and  this 
may  or  may  not  be  a  step  toward  ordination. 

Among  the  duties  required  of  laymen,  in  Section  6  of  the  Con- 
stitution, we  find  that  they  shall  read  the  Scriptures  and  exhort 
in  public.  For  this  purpose  the  church  Session,  under  certain 
circumstances,  shall  convene  their  congregations  on  the  Lord's 
day,  and  the  inference  is  clear  that  the  Session  may  select  the 
particular  pei"son  to  conduct  the  service — to  read  or  exhort. 

But  the  same  section  of  the  Constitution  also  provides,  that, 
''in  like  manner.  Christians  whose  lot  is  cast  in  destitute  regions 
ought  to  meet  for  the  worship  of  God." 

Such  "Christians"  are  often  without  a  church  Session,  or  a 
single  elder,  or  even  a  single  member  with  the  gift  properly  to 
hold  such  public  service,  and  in  many  instances  could  not  comply 
with  this  requirement  of  the  Constitution  unless  some  church 
Session  should  send  them  a  suitable  person  for  that  purpose. 

But  by  Section  25  of  the  Constitution  the  jurisdiction  of  a 
church  Session  is  expressly  limited  to  "a  single  church,"  and  it 
cannot  therefore  exercise  such  authority  beyond  its  own  congre- 
gation. It  follows  that,  unless  Presbytery  has  this  right,  some  of 
the  requirements  of  the  Constitution  cannot  legally  be  carried  into 
effect. 

Your  Committee,  therefore,  are  of  opinion  that  a  Presbytery  has 
the  right  to  authorize  laymen  to  hold  such  public  services,  in  other 
words,  to  grant  to  laymen  the  license  implied  in  the  Constitution, 
and  in  .tliis  sense  has  a  right  to  license  "exhorters"  or  "lay 
preachers,"  and  they  recommend  that  this  General  Assembly  make 
a  deliverance  in  accordance  herewith. — 1892,  p.  25. 

That  you  instruct  the  Presbyteries  to  make  a  clear  distinction 
between  licensure  and  ordination;  that  some  may  with  propriety 
be  licensed  to  preach  as  evangelists,  who  should  never  be  ordained 
to  the  full  functions  of  ordained  ministers  in  the  Church. 
Adopted.— 1897,  p.  36. 

We  most  respectfully  recommend  that  you  request  the  Synods 
to  urge  the  Presbyteries  earnestly  to  consider  the  advisability  of 
simply  licensing  to  preach,  as  lay  workers,  those  who  fall  far  short 
9 


130  PART  IV.,  CHURCH  COURTS. 

of  our  standard,  and  whose  age  and  circumstai-».ces  are  such  aa 
to  render  it  practically  impossible  for  them  ever  to  come  up  to 
the  requirements,  at  the  same  time  considering  all  the  surround- 
ings and  treating  with  due  courtesy  all  concerned.  Adopted. — 
1898,  p.  92. 

(3)  Presbyteky  has  the  power  to  ordain  probationers  to 
the  whole  work  of  the  ministry. 

Constitution,  Section  55. — As  ordination,  or  setting  apart 
to  the  whole  work  of  the  ministry,  is  investing  the  probationer 
with  the  highest  ecclesiastical  office,  the  Presbyteries  are  required 
to  be  careful  to  ordain  no  one  until  fully  satisfied  with  his  quali- 
fications for  so  important  a  work. 

Presbyteiles  shall  not  feel  bound  to  ordain  a  licentiate  because 
he  has  long  been  licensed,  nor  to  continue  him  on  probation 
longer  than  he  promises  usefulness. 

(fl)   Trials  for  urdinaiiun — course  of  study. 

Constitution,  Section  5G. — When  a  licentiate  shall  have 
preached  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  Presbyter}-,  then  it  may  take 
steps  for  Ms  ordination,  observing  the  principles  of,  and  [acting] 
agreeably  to,  the  following  rules: 

Trials  for  ordination  shall  consist  of  a  careful  and  satisfactory 
examination  of  the  licentiate,  before  the  Presbytery,  or  a  com- 
mittee thereof,  upon  experimental  religion,  his  internal  call  to 
the  ministry,  his  knowledge  of  geography,  English  grammar, 
philosophy,  astronomy,  ecclesiastical  history,  the  Holy  Scriptures, 
natural  and  revealed  theology,  and  the  Government  of  the  Cum- 
berland Presbyterian  Church. 

In  addition  to  these  branches  of  literature,  which  are  indis- 
pensable, it  is  earnestly  recommended  that  the  Presbj^teries  use 
their  best  exertions  to  promote  and  encourage  among  their  pro- 
bationers the  acquiring  of  a  complete  knowledge  of  the  original 
languages,  especially  the  Greek  and  the  Hebrew,  the  utility  of 
which,  to  a  minister  of  the  Word,  is  hereby  unequivocally  declared. 

In  order  to  make  trial  of  his  talents  to  explain,  vindicate,  and 
practically  enforce  the  doctrines  of  the  Gospel,  the  Presbyters'  shall 


THE  PRESBYTERY.  131 

require  of  the  licentiate,  before  ordination,  sucli  written  or  ex- 
tempore discourse,  founded  on  tlie  Word  of  God,  as  the  Presbytery 
shall  deem  proper. 

The  General  Assembly  adopted  the  following:  Tor  uniformity 
and  eliiciency,  the  Jioard  of  Education,  in  conjunction  with  the 
Faculty  of  the  Theological  School,  shall  prepare  and  submit  to 
the  Presbyteries  a  suggestive  course  of  study. — 1895,  p.  37. 

A  Course  of  Study  for  probationers  for  the  ministry  who  are 
not  in  school,  is  presented  for  your  consideration.  This  course 
of  study  does  not  purport  to  be  a  change  of  your  constitutional 
standard  of  education,  but  is  explanatory  of  that  standard.  While 
this  course  may  be  to  some  extent  an  amplification  of  your  stand- 
ard, yet  we  do  not  deem  it  a  violation  of  the  spirit  of  it;  and 
we  therefore  recommend  this  course  to  the  Presbyteries,  with  this 
provision,  that  your  Educational  Society,  in  conjunction  with  the 
Faculty  of  the  Seminary,  shall  have  authority  to  revise  the  same 
by  replacing  any  text  l)Ook  in  this  course  with  another  on  the 
same  subject  and  of  equal  standard.     Adopted. — 189G,  p.  21. 

FIRST    YEAR. 

Arithmetic,  Pay's  Xew   Practical;   GO   cents. 

Barnes'  Complete  Geography;  $1.45. 

English   Grammar,   Harvey's   Revised    Practical;    75    cents. 

American  History.  Montgomery:  $1.10. 

"The  Causes."  Stephens;  30  cents. 

Origin  and  Doctrines  of  the  Cunil)crland  Presbyterian  Church, 
Part  II.,  Crisman:  30  cents. 

Confession  of  Faith:  Catechisni:  cloth.  35  cents — sheep,  45 
cents. 

SECOND   YEAR. 

Popular  Physics  (Natural  Phi]os()])hy),  J.  Doi'man  Stock';  $1.10. 
Elements  of  Phetoric  and   Com])osition,  David  J.   Hill;  $1.10. 
Physical  Geography,  Eclectic;  $1.10. 
General  History,  flyers:  $1.65. 
Theology  Condensed,  Blake;  $1.25. 
Confession  of  Faith:     Constitution. 


132  PART  IV.,  CHURCH  COURTS. 

THIRD  YEAR. 

Hygienic  Physiologj',  J.  Dormaii  Steele;  $1.10. 
Xew  Descriptive  Astronomy,  J.  Dornian  Steele;  $1.10. 
Biblical  Geography  and  History,  Ilurlbiit;  $1.50. 
liiidimentary  Ethics   (Moral  Philosophy),   G.  M.   Steele:  $1.10. 
Systematic  Theology,  Foster,  to  Cosmology;  $3.00;  or.  Systematic 
Theology,  Beard;  Vol.  I.;  $1.50. 

Confession  of  Faith:     Sections  1-115. 

FOURTH    YEAR. 

Popnlar   Chemistry,   J.    Dorman    Steele;   $1.10. 

Fourteen  Weeks  in  Botany,  Wood;  $1.10. 

Evidences  of  Christianity,  Fisher's  ]\laniial;  75  cents. 

History  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,  McUonnold: 
$2.00. 

Systematic  Theology.  Foster,  to  Soteriology;  or.  Systematic 
Theology,  Beard;  Vol.  II.;  $1.50. 

Confession  of  Faith:     Directory  for  Worship. 

FIFTH    YEAR. 

Poi)ular  Zoology,  J.  Dorman  Steele;  $1.30. 

L'udimentary  Psychology  (Mental  Philosophy).  G.  M.  Steele; 
$1.10. 

Systematic  Theology,  Foster,  to  End  of  the  Volume;  or.  Sys- 
tematic Theology,  Beard;  Vol.  III.;  $1.50. 

Preparation   and   Delivery  of   Sermons,   Broadus;  $1.40. 

Clerical  Manners,  Miller;  75  cents. 

Confession  of  Faith:     General  Eegulations  and  Eules  of  Order. 

SIXTH   YEAR. 

Fourteen  Weeks  in  Geology.  J.  Dorman  Steele;  $1.10. 

English  Style  in  Public  Discourse,  Pheli)s;  $1.60. 

Com])endiuni  of  Church  History,  Zenos;  85  cents. 

Natural  Theology,  Fisher's  Manual;  75  cents. 

Pastoral  Theology,  Murphy;  $1.25. 

Confession  of  Faith:      Pules  of  Discipline.— 189G,  pp.  104,  105. 


THE  PRESBYTERY.  133- 

[Note. — The  list  of  books  embraced  in  the  foregoing  course  of 
study  is  corrected  to  date  (1899),  hence  differs  slightly  from  that 
published  in  the  Minutes  of  189G.  The  books  named  in  this  list 
may  be  had  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Publishing  House^ 
150  North  Cherry  Street,  Xashville,  Tenn.,  free  of  postage,  for 
the  prices  here  quoted.  The  usual  ministers  discount  has  already 
been  deducted  from  the  publisher's  price,  and  the  exact  sum  in- 
dicated should  accompany  each  order. — J.  V.  S.] 

We  recommend  that  you  urge  upon  your  Presbyteries  the  neces- 
sity of  withholding  ordination  from  our  young  men  while  pur- 
suing their  course  in  the  Theological  School,  and  that  all  the 
candidates  and  licentiates  be  urged  to  take  a  theological  course 
before  entering  upon  the  full  work  of  the  ministry.  Adopted. 
—1895,  p.  40. 

The  following  was   adopted: 

^Nlureas,  The  Constitution  of  our  Church  (page  101,  section  56) 
prescribes  the  standard  of  literary  attainment  to  be  reached  by 
licentiates  preparatory  to  ordination,  and  emphatically  states  that 
a  knowledge  of  the  branches  of  literature  therein  enumerated  is 
indispensable  to  ordination;  and  whereas,  it  is  the  habit  of  many 
of  our  Presbyteries  to  disregard  often  this  requirement  of  the- 
Constitution,  and,  by  laying  hands  on  men  who  have  not  reached 
the  standard  required,  to  thrust  into  the  ranks  of  the  ministry 
incompetent  men;  therefore 

Resolved,  That  we  recommend  to  this  General  Assembly,  that 
it  instruct  the  Synods  under  its  jurisdiction  to  make  more  careful 
observation  of  the  work  of  Presbyteries  touching  this  matter,  and 
where  Presbyteries  are  found  acting  in  violation  of  this  law  of 
the  Church  to  administer  to  them  a  severe  reprimand,  and,  if 
this  fails  to  correct  the  evil,  to  proceed  to  dissolve  said  Presby- 
teries and  distribute  their  ministers  and  churches  among  other 
Presbyteries,  according  to  the  wisdom  of  the  Synod  so  acting. 
—1892,  p.  37. 

On  the  Presbytery  rests  the  chief  responsibility  for  the  prepa- 
r?tion  of  its  young  men  for  the  ministry.  We  recommend  that 
you   demand   of   each    Presbytery,   under   penalty   of   censure    (as. 


134  PART  IV.,  CHURCH  COURTS. 

per  Constitution)  tor  disobedience,  and  of  dissolution  if  it  persists 
in  disregarding  your  orders,  not  to  ordain  young  men  until  they 
have  had  proper  training  and  education.  The  first  aim  of  the 
Presbytery  must  be  to  send  the  probationer  to  school.  If  there 
are  any  who  cannot  go  regularly  to  school,  the  Presbytery  shall 
arrange  a  course  of  study,  covering  a  period  of  years,  which  shall 
be  pursued  at  home,  under  the  direction  of  those  appointed  by 
the  Presbytery  for  this  purpose.  In  all  such  cases,  every  effort 
shall  be  made  to  have  these  young  men  spend  a  short  time  each 
year,  if  only  a  month,  in  some  institution  of  learning,  in  order 
that  they  may  get  some  assistance  and  inspiration  in  prosecuting 
the  prescribed  course  of  study.     Adopted.- — 1895,  p.   2T. 

(&)  Licentiates  njust  pass  a  conslitutioiial  examination,  before 
vrdination. 

On  page  184,  we  find  the  report  of  the  Committee  on  the 
Minutes  of  Nashville  Presbytery,  in  which  they  call  attention  to 
an  item  in  the  minutes  of  the  Spring  meeting  of  1877,  said 
item  consist iug  of  a  protest  by  a  ruling  elder  of  a  congregation, 
with  accompanying  reasons,  as  follows: 

"^'The  undersigned  respectfully  submits,  that,  in  acting  upon 
the  report  of  the  Committee  on  Examination,  in  relation  to  one 
of  the  licentiates  under  the  care  of  this  Presbytery,  an  item  was 
•adopted   by    the    Presl)ytery    in    the    following    words:      'Brother 

W —  did  not  undertake  to  undergo   an   examination   on  the 

educational  part  of  trial  mentioned  in  our  standard,  nor  does  he 
claim  to  be  able  to  stand  an  acceptable  examination;  but  having 
every  coufidence  in  his  piety,  and  devotion  to  the  Church,  and 
lie  being  now  fifty  years  old,  and  his  services  being  use- 
ful, in  demand  by  the  people  among  whom  ho  lives,  and 
they  being  remote  from  any  other  ordained  minister,  it 
is  recommended  that,  by  a  special  dispensation  to  him,  and 
by  regarding  his  case  as  an  exception  to  the  roquircments  of  the 
Book,  he  be  ordained  at  this  meeting  of  Presbytery."  With  no 
personal  feeling  in  this  particular  case,  and  with  nothing  to  urge 
against  the  moral  qualifications  of  the  brother,  but  earnestly  be- 
lieving the  adoption  of  the  report,  and  the  action  of,  the  Pres- 
bytery, to  be  in  violation   of  the   Form   of   Government   of  the 


THE  PRESBYTERY.  135 

Church,  I  respectfully  enter  this  emphatic  protest,  and  ask  the 
action  of  the  Synod  thereon."  This  is  signed  hy  the  memher 
protesting. 

Page  ISy,  we  find  the  record  of  the  action  of  the  Synod  on 
the  foregoing  subject,  which  is  as  follows: 

"Ruling  Elder  Jno.  Frizzell  offered  the  following  preambles  and 
resolutions,  which  were  adopted: 

"  'llVterPfls,  It  appears  to  the  Synod,  from  the  report  of  the 
Committee  on  the  Minutes  of  the  jSTashviile  Presl)ytery,  and  by 
the  inspection  of  said  minutes,  that,  at  the  Spring  session  thereof, 
1877,  the  report  of  the  Committee  on  Examination  was  adopted, 
setting  apart  a  brother  to  the  whole  work  of  the  ministry,  not- 
withstanding he  did  not  undertake  to  undergo  an  examination 
on  the  educational  parts  of  trial  mentioned  in  our  standard,  nor 
did  he  claim  to  be  al)le  to  stand  an  acceptal)le  examination, 
and 

"  ''V^licrms,  It  is  the  sense  of  tliis  Synod,  that,  in  this  action  of 
Presbytery  there  is  a  decided  want  of  conformity  to,  and  coni- 
pUance  with,  our  Form  of  Government,  which  expressly  provides 
that  Presbyteries  are  required  to  Ijc  careful  to  oidain  none  until 
they  are  fully  satisfied  with  their  qualifications  for  so  important 
a  work  (Chap.  XV.,  Sec.  1);  and  that  trials  for  ordination  shall 
consist  of  a  careful  examination  as  to  the  ])robationer's  acquaint- 
ance with  experimental  religion,  his  internal  call  to  the  ministry, 
his  knowledge  of  natural  fuid  revealed  theology,  ])liilosophy,  as- 
tronomy, geography,  English  grammar  and  ecclesiastical  history, 
also  as  to  his  knowledge  of  the  Constitution,  rules,  and  prin- 
ciples of  government  and  discijiline  of  the  Church  (Chap.  XV., 
Sec.  4);  be  it  therefore, 

"  'Eesolved,  That  we  deem  such  radical  deviations  from  our 
standard  to  ])e  im])roper  and   unjustifiable. 

""Resolved,  That  the  General  Assembly  be,  and  is  hereby  re- 
spectfully requested  to  take  this  matter  into  consideration,  and 
to  make  such  a  deliverance  upon  the  subject  as  may  be  in  ac- 
cordance with  the  Form  of  Government  of  the  Church.'  " 

The  General  Assembly  concurred  in  the  action  of  the  Synod 
of  Tennessee.— 1880,  pp.  40,  41. 


136  PART  IV.,  CHURCH  COURTS. 

(c)   The  Assembly  should  inquire  into  ordinations. 

Constitution,  Section  43. — The  General  Assembly  shall  have 
power  to  take  care  that  the  inferior  courts  observe  the  Govera- 
ment  of  the  Church. 

The  Assembly  adopted  the  following: 

Onr  Church,  like  all  others,  should  be  the  fast  friend  of 
progress  and  education.  While  the  principles  of  our  holy  religion 
are  essentially  unchangeable,  it  is  equally  true  that  the  progi^ess 
of  truth  among  the  nations  of  the  earth,  is  a  grand  exemplification 
of  the  law  of  progress — every  age  presenting  great  social  problems 
peculiar  to  itself.  It  hence  follows  that  the  standard  of  literary 
qiuilification  sufficient  for  one  period  of  the  history  of  the 
Church  may  be  wholly  inadequate  to  the  demands  of  another 
period.  While  we  believe  that  our  fathers  acted  most  wisely  in 
their  decisions  upon  the  subject,  and  that  the  standard  they  set 
up  was  most  clearly  justifiable  by  the  circumstances  by  wliich 
they  were  surrounded,  it  cannot  be  denied  that,  after  the  lapse 
of  more  than  half  a  century,  the.  vastly  enlarged  facilities  for 
acquiring  a  thorough  education,  the  great  increase  of  general  in- 
telligence, and  the  rapidity  with  which  infidelity  seeks  to  infuse 
its  poison  into  the  minds  of  men,  under  the  guise  of  philosophy, 
falsely  so-called,  all  demand  that  we,  as  a  Christian  denomination, 
should  elevate  our  standard  of  ministerial  education.  We,  there- 
fore, recommend. 

That  it  be  enjoined  on  all  the  Presbyteries  to  abstain  from 
licensing  men  whose  education  is  not  fully  up  to  the  standard  of 
our  book.— 1866,  pp.  83,  84. 

We  recommend,  further,  that  you  require  every  Presbytery  to 
report  annually  to  the  Board  of  Education  what  it  is  doing  for 
the  training  of  its  probationers,  giving  the  name  of  each  proba- 
tioner and  all  proper  details  concerning  him;  also  what  it  has  done, 
financially  and  otherwise,  toward  preparing  him  for  ordination. 
Report  shall  also  be  made  of  the  standard  of  preparation  attained 
by  any  young  man  who-  has  been  ordained  during  the  year. 
These  reports,  properly  condensed,  shall  be  submitted  by  the  Board 
of  Education  to  the  General  Assembly,  for  reference  to  its  Cora- 


THE  PRESBYTHRY.  137 

mittee  on  Education.  That  Committee  shall  make  known  to  the 
General  Assembly  what  the  Presbj'tery  has  done  in  obedience  to 
the  requirements  of  this  body.     Adopted. — 1895,  p.   27. 

W/«ereas,  The  Constitution  of  our  Church  (Sec.  56)  prescribes 
the  standard  of  literary  attainment  to  be  reached  by  licentiates 
preparatory  to  ordination,  and  emphatically  states  that  a  knowl- 
edge of  the  branches  of  literature  therein  enumerated  is  indis- 
pensable to  ordination;  and  whereas,  it  is  the  habit  of  many  of 
our  Presbyteries  to  disregard  often  this  requirement  of  the  Con- 
stitution, and,  by  laying  hands  on  men  who  have  not  reached 
the  standard  required,  to  thrust  into  the  ranks  of  the  ministry 
incompetent  men;  therefore, 

Resolved,  That  we  recommend  to  the  General  Assembly  that  it 
instruct  the  Synods  under  its  jurisdiction  to  make  more  careful 
observation  of  the  work  of  the  Presbyteries  touching  this  matter, 
and  where  Presbyteries  are  found  acting  in  violation  of  this  law 
of  the  Church,  to  administer  to  them  a  severe  reprimand,  and, 
if  this  fails  to  correct  the  evil,  to  iDroceed  to  dissolve  said  Pres- 
byteries and  distribute  their  ministers  and  churches  among  other 
Presbyteries,   according  to   the  wisdom   of  the   Synod   so   acting. 

In  obedience  to  a  former  order  [1895,  p,  27]  of  the  General 
Assembly,  information  concerning  the  ordinations  in  thirty-six 
Presbyteries  is  before  us  for  examination. 

In  the  light  of  the  law,  constitutional  and  statutory,  above 
cited,  we  recommend  that  the  Synods  concerned  be  requested 
to  note  the  information  given  as  to  ordinations  in  the  following 
Presbyteries:  Cumberland,  Chickasaw,  East  Tennessee,  Nolin, 
Ozark,  Sangamon,  San  Antonio  and  White  Eiver;  and  that  cer- 
tified copies  of  the  official  information  before  this  body  shall  be 
transmitted  to  these  Synods,  with  instructions  that  they  take 
proper  steps  to  secure  a  due  regard  for  the  Constitution  of  the 
Church  in  all  their  Presbyteries.     Adopted. — 1897,  p.   36. 

While  the  Presbytery  has  the  power  to  ordain  men  to  the 
ministry  (Constitution,  Section  31),  it  must  be  careful  to  observe 
the  Constitution  in  both  letter  and  spirit.  Section  56.  The  Con- 
stitution invests  the  General  Assembly  with  the  right  to  see  that 
the    lower    courts   observe   the    Government    of    the    Church,    to 


138  PART     v.,  CHURCH  COURTS. 

redress  whatever  they  may  have  done  contrary  to  order.  There- 
fore, it  is  clearly  the  duty  of  the  Assembly  to  see  that  the  Presby- 
teries obsei\ve  the  constitutional  standard  in  admitting  men  into 
the  ministry,  cUid  when  there  is  departure  from  the  standard  of  the 
Church  to  take  steps  to  check  the  same.  The  (ieneral  Assembly 
in  session  at  Memphis,  Tenn.,  May,  1892,  made  the  following  de- 
liverance (and  reaffirmed  it  at  Chicago  in  189r): 

[Note. — See  deliverance  in  1895,  Minutes,  p.  27,  al)ove.] 

In  compliance  with  the  previous  order  of  the  Cleneral  Assembly, 
informatdon  concerning  hfty-six  ordinations,  in  forty-live  Pres- 
byteries, is  before  us  for  our  examination.  In  the  light  of  both  the 
constitutional  and  the  statutory  law  of  the  Church,  above  referred 
to  we  do  most  earnestly  recommend  that  the  Synods  concerned  be 
lirged  to  consider  carefully  the  information  given  as  to  ordinations 
in  the  following  Presbyteries:  Bonham,  Colorado,  Decatur,  Greg- 
ory, Iowa,  John  Buchanan,  McGready,  Mississii)pi,  New  Lebanon, 
Sparta,  West  Iowa  and  Obion;  and  that  certified  copies  of  official 
information  before  this  body  be  transferred  to  these  Synods,  with 
instructions  that  they  institute  such  proceedings  as  will  insure  a 
more  faithful  observance  of  the  law  of  the  Church  with  all  the 
Presbyteries,  calling  especial  attention  to  what  appears  to  your 
Committee  to  be  a  flagrant  violation  of  our  fundamental  law,  in  the 
Presbyteries  of  Bonham,  Colorado,  Iowa,  John  Buchanan  and 
West  Iowa.     Adopted.— 1898,  pp.   91,  92. 

(d)  Ordination  service. 

Constitution,  Section  5?. — The  Presbytery,  being  fully  satis- 
^ed  with  the  quahfications  of  the  licentiate,  shall  fix  a  day,  iind 
make  suitable  preparation,  for  his  ordination. 

At  the  time  appointed,  the  Presbytery  being  convened,  a  ser- 
mon adapted  to  the  occasion  shall  be  preached  by  a  minister  pre- 
•viously  appointed.  The  same,  or  some  other  minister  appointed  to 
preside,  shall  then  briefly  recite  from  the  pulpit  the  preparatory 
proceedings  of  the  Presbytery,  and  point  out  the  nature  and  impor- 
tance of  the  transaction.  Then,  addressing  himself  to  the  licen- 
tiate, he  shall  propound  the  following  questions: 


THE  PRESBYIKRy.  139 

I.  Do  3^011  believe  the  Scriptures  of  the  Old  and  the  New  Testa- 
ment to  be  the  Word  of  God,  the  only  ini'allible  rule  of  faith  and 
practice? 

II.  Do  you  sincerely  receive  and  adopt  the  Confession  of  Faith 
and  the  Catechism  of  the  Cumberliuid  Presbyterian  Church  as  con- 
taining the  s}'stem  of  doctrines  taught  in  the  Holy  Scriptures? 

III.  Do  you  approve  the  Governnic'Ut  of  the  Cumlierlaiid  Pres- 
byterian Church? 

IV.  Do  you  promise  subjection  to  your  Ijrethren  in  the  Lord? 

V.  Have  you  been  induced  l)y  the  Holy  Spirit,  as  far  as  you 
know  your  own  heart,  to  seek  the  office  of  the  holy  ministry  from 
love  to  God,  a  desire  to  do  his  will.  tt>  promote  his  glory  in  the 
Gospel  of  his  Son,  and  the  salvation  of  your  fellow-men? 

VI.  Do  you  promise  to  be  zealous  and  faithful,  as  God  may  ena- 
ble you,  in  maintaining  the  truths  of  the  Gospel,  and  the  purity 
and  peace  of  the  Church,  whafever  ])ersecution  or  opposition  may 
arise  unto  you  on  that  account? 

VII.  Do  vou  engage  to  be  faithful  and  diligent  in  the  exercise 
of  all  your  duties  as  a  Christian  and  as  a  minister  of  the  Gospel, 
whether  personal  or  relative,  private  or  public;  and  to  endeavor, 
by  the  grace  of  God,  to  adorn  the  profession  of  the  Gospel  ministry 
in  your  conversation,  and  to  walk  with  exemplary  piety  before  the 
Church  and  before  the  world? 

The  licentiate  having  answered  these  questions  in  the  atTirma- 
tive,  the  presiding  minister  shall  require  him  to  kneel;  then  the 
ministers  of  this  Church  present  shall,  by  prayer  led  by  the  presid- 
ing minister,  and  with  the  laying  on  of  hands,  according  to  the 
apostolic  example,  solemnly  ordain  him  to  the  holy  office  of  the 
Gospel  ministry.  Prayer  being  ended,  he  shall  rise,  and  the  pre- 
siding minister  shall  first,  and  afterwards  the  other  ministers  shall 
each,  take  him  by  the  right  hand,  paying  in  words  to  this  purpose: 
We  give  you  the  right  hand  of  fellowship  to  take  part  in  this  min- 
istry with  us.  After  which  the  minister  presiding,  or  some  other 
appointed  for  the  purpose,  shall  give  a  solemn  charge  to  the  newly- 
ordained  minister,  and  shall  then,  by  prayer,  recommend  him  to 
the  grace  of  God  and  to  his  holy  keeping. 

The  transaction  shall  be  duly  recorded  in  the  prcsbyterial 
minutes. 


14X)  PART  IV.,  CHURCH  COURTS. 

(e)  Ordmaiion  by  a  commission. 

General  Eegulations,  Section15.— The  commission  for  the- 
ordination  of  a  minister  shall  always  consist  of  a  quorum  of  the 
court,  but  the  Presbytery  itself  shall  conduct  the  previous  exami- 
nations. 

The  Committee  on  Judiciary  have  carefully  examined  the  mat- 
ter submitted  to  them  in  the  appeal  of  Indiana  Presbytery  from 
an  action  of  Indiana  Synod,  and  respectfully  report  thereon  as 
follows: 

Indiana  Presbytery  ap])ointed  a  commission,  consisting  of  four 
ministers,  to  ordain  a  licentiate  under  the  care  of  the  Presbytery. 
The  commission  was  to  meet  at  Evansville,  at  a  time  to  suit  the- 
licentiate,  who,  at  the  time,  was  passing  through  that  place,  on  his 
way  from  school,  to  a  distant  church  of  which  he  was  to  take 
charge. 

At  this  meeting  but  two  of  the  commissioners  were  present,  but,, 
calling  to  their  assistance  a  minister  belonging  to  the  Presbytery, 
who  was  present,  the  three  proceeded  to  the  work  assigned  and 
ordained  the  young  man  to  the  whole  work  of  the  ministry. 

In  the  report  to  the  Presbytery,  signed  l)y  the  three  thus  par- 
ticipating in  the  ordination,  all  the  facts  were  stated,  and  the  Pres- 
bytery, by  adopting  the  report,  approved  the  action. 

At  a  meeting  of  Indiana  Synod  the  minutes  of  this  meeting  of 
Presbytery  were  reviewed  and  the  committee  reported  that  they 
were  in  regular  order  except  as  to  the  ordination  in  question,  the 
committee  holding  that  this  action  was  not  constitutional.  The 
report  of  the  committee  was  adopted,  and  from  the  action  of  the 
Synod  adopting  said  report,  Indiana  Presbytery,  through  a  com- 
mittee appointed  for  the  purpose,  prosecutes  an  appeal  to  the 
G-eneral  Assembly. 

We  are  of  the  opinion  that  the  action  of  the  commission,  of 
which  complaint  is  made,  was  at  most  only  an  irregularity  which 
could  be  cured,  and  in  this  instance  was  cured  by  the  subsequent 
action  of  the  Presbytery,  and  that,  therefore,  the  action  of  the 
Synod  holding  said  act  unconstitutional,  and  therefore  void,  was 
erroneous  and  should  be  reversed. 


THE  PRESBYTERY.  141 

We  recomiueiid  that  the  appeal  be  sustained  and  the  action  of 
the  Synod  be  reversed.     Adopted. — 1893,  p.  kJ9. 

(/)  Prayer  and  charge,  in,  ordination,  must  not  be  omitted. 

If  the  Presbytery  [Sangamon J  did  tail  to  deliver  the  charge 
and  })rayer.  prescribed  in  the  book  of  discipline — Form  of  Govern- 
ment, chapter  15,  Section  G — then  there  was  an  irregularity,  and 
in  that  event  the  appeal  should  be  sustained.  But  if  the  charge 
was  delivered  and  the  prayer  offered,  and  the  fact  merely  not 
recorded,  then  it  would  be  only  an  omission  or  error  in  the  record. 
Adopted.— 1864,  p.   138. 

{(/)   Ordination   on   the-  Sabbath  day. 

Is  it  a  violation  of  the  spirit  of  Presbyterianism  for  a  Presbytery 
to  ordain  a  ])rol)ationer  to  the  work  of  the  ministry  on  the  Sab- 
bath? 'J'his  question  was  "answered  by  the  Assembly  in  the 
negative."— 1872,  p.  29. 

The  Committee  on  Judiciary  beg  leave  to  report,  that  they 
have  duly  considered  the  cpiestions  referred  to  them,  on  the 
recommendation  of  the  Committee  on  the  Minutes  of  Sangamon 
Synod,  namely,  "j\Iay  a  Presbytery  ordain  a  minister  on  the  Sab- 
bath day?"  This  cjuestion  we  answer  in  the  affirmative.  It  was 
so  decided  in  187  2.— ISTT,  p.  20. 

(4)  Presbytery  has  the  tower  to  decide  appeals  and  com- 
plaints. 

CoxsTiTUTiox,  Sectiox  31. — The  Presbytery  has  the  power  to 
examine  and  decide  a])poals,  complaints,  and  references  brought 
before  it  in  an  orderly  manner.     [See  Part  V. — "Judicial  Cases."] 

(5)  Presbytery  has  the  power  to  .judge  ministers. 

CoxsTiTUTiON.  Sectiox  31. — The  Presbytery  has  power  to  judge 
ministers. 

Rules  of  Discipline.  Sections  7-13. — Original  jurisdiction 
in  relation  to  minister's  ]X'rtains  exclusively  to  the  Presbytery, 
and  in  relation  to  other  church  members  to  the  church  Session. 


142  PART  IV.,  CHURCH  COURTS. 

It  is  the  duty  of  church  Sessions  and  Presbyteries  to  exercise 
care  over  tliose  subject  to  their  authority,  and  witli  due  diligence 
demand  satisfactory  explanations  from  them  concerning"  reports 
affecting  their  Christian  character,  especially  when  those  aggrieved 
by  injurious  reports  shall  ask  an  investigation.  If  such  inves- 
tigation, however  originating,  should  result  in  raising  a  strong 
presumption  of  guilt,  the  court  should  order  process,  and  ap- 
point a  prosecutor  to  pre})are  the  charges  and  conduct  the 
case. 

8.  An  injured  iiaily  shall  not  Ijecomc  a  prosecutor  of  personal 
'offenses  without  having  previously  tried  the  means  of  reconcilia- 
tion, and  of  reclaiming  the  offender,  requirc<l  by  Christ,  Matt. 
Xviii.  IT),  IG.  A  Church  court,  however,  nuiy  judiciall}^  inves- 
tigate personal  offenses  as  if  general,  when  the  interests  of  religion 
seem  to  deiiuuul  it.  So,  also,  those  to  whom  private  offenses 
are  known  camiot  become  prosecutors  witliout  having  previously 
endeavored  to  remove  the  scandal  Ijy  i)rivate  means. 

9.  When  the  offense  is  general,  the  })rosecution  may  be  con- 
ducted by  any  person  appearing  as  i)rosecutor,  or  by  some  one 
appointed  as  such  Ijy  the  court. 

10.  When  the  prosecution  is  instituted  by  the  court,  the  pre-- 
vious  steps  required  in  cases  of  personal  offenses  are  not  neces- 
saxy,  but  in  all  cases  a  committee  should  first  converse  in  a  private 
manner  with  the  offender,  and  endeavor  to  bring  him  to  a  sense 
of  his  guilt. 

11.  ({reat  caution  must  be  exercised  in  receiving  accusations 
from  anv  person  known  to  indulge  a  malignant  spirit  toward  the 
accused,  or  who  is  not  of  good  character;  who  is  himself  under 
cens;ire  or  process;  who  is  deeply  interested  in  any  respect  in 
the  conviction  of  the  accused;  or  who  is  known  to  be  litigious, 
rash,  or  highly  imprudent. 

12.  Even-  voluntary  prosecutor  must  be  previously  warned  that 
if  he  fail  to  show  probable  cause  for  the  charges,  he  must  him- 
self be  censured  as  a  slanderer  of  the  brethren.  Xone  Init  mem- 
bers of  the  church  shall  be  allowed  to  become  prosecutors. 

13.  When  a  member  of  a  Church  court  is  imder  process,  all 
his  nfScial  functions  may  be  suspended  at  its  discretion,  but  not 

.in  the  wav  of  censure. 


THE  PRESBYTERY.  143 

(a)  Power  to  censure  a  minister  belongs  to  Presljytery. 

We  (Oregon  Presbytery)  ask  you  to  declare,  judicially,  that 
a  Synod  has  no  constitutional  right  to  take  the  case  of  a  member 
under  censure  out  of  the  hands  of  the  Presbytery  that  passed 
the  censure;  especially  wliile  the  member  under  censure  resides 
in  the  bounds  of  the  Presbytery  that  censured  him. 

The  Assembly  answered:  ''The  Synod  has  no  such  power." 
—1863,  p.   77. 

{h)  Power  to  remove  a  suspension. 

Resolved,  That  the  act  of  the  Memphis  Presbytery  in  receiv- 
ing, and  thereby  conferring  upon  John  A.  Dewoody  all  the  priv- 
ileges of  a  minister  of  the  Gospel,  whilst  he  was  under  suspen- 
sion by  the  decision  of  the  Tennessee  Presbytery,  is  not  in  ac- 
cordance with  the  Discipline  and  Government  of  the  Cumberland 
Presbyterian  Church;  and  therefore  said  act  is  hereby  declared 
null  and  void.     Adopted. — 1855,  p.  49. 

Resolved,  That  it  is  the  sense  of  this  General  Assembly,  as  ex- 
pressed substantially  by  the  Assembly  two  years  ago  (1855,  p.  49), 
that  it  is  highly  improper,  disorderly,  and  subversive  of  the  gov- 
ernment of  our  Church,  for  any  Presbytery  to  receive  as  a  mem- 
ber, or  recognize  any  man  as  an  orderly  minister  of  the  Cum- 
berland Presbyterian  Church,  against  Avhom  a  sentence  of  sus- 
pension or  deposition  has  been  pronounced,  until  said  sentence 
has  been  legally  revoked  or  withdrawn.     Adopted. — 1857,  p.  61. 

The  Assembly  adopted  the  following  report: 

The  Judiciary  Committee,  to  whom  was  referred  a  memorial 
from  Memphis  Presbytery,  have  examined  that  document,  in 
which  we  find  it  stated  that,  at  the  Fall  session  of  said  Presby- 
tery, 1857,  in  a  preamble  to  a  resolution,  Brother  J.  A.  Dewoody 
.had  been  deposed  from  the  functions  of  the  Gospel  ministry  by 
the  Tennessee  Presljytery.  The  following  resolution  was  then 
.adopted  by  the  ]\Iemphis  Presbytery,  viz.: 

Resolved,  That  we  constitute  Brother  J.  A.  Dewoody  a  mem- 
ber in  full  standing  in  this  Presbytery,  and  that  wc  restore  him 
to  the  full  functions  of  the  Gospel  ministry. 


144  PART  IV.,  CHURCH  COURTS. 

The  West  Tennessee  Synod  directed  the  Memphis  Presbytery 
to  rescind  this  act,  constituting  John  A.  Dewoody  a  member  of 
the  Memphis  Presbytery. 

At  the  Spring  session  of  Memphis  Presbytery,  1858,  the  follow- 
ing resolutions  were  adopted,  viz.: 

Besclved,  1st,  That  the  two  following  questions  be  submitted 
to  the  next  General  Assembly,  to  wit:  "Did  Memphis  Presbytery 
act  constitutionally  at  her  Fall  session  of  1857,  purporting  to 
make  Rev.  J.  A.  Dewoody  a  member  of  her  body?" 

2nd.  "If  the  Presbytery  acted  unconstitutionally  in  making 
him  a  member,  is  it  constitutional  and  proper  for  the  Presbytery 
to  comply  with  the  request  of  West  Tennessee  Synod  to  rescind 
the  said  act  purporting  to  make  the  said  John  A.  Dewoody  a 
member  of  said  Presbytery?" 

Your  Committee  regard  the  act  of  Memphis  Presbytery  in  con- 
stituting J.  A.  Dewoody  a  member  of  her  body,  and  in  declaring 
him  restored  wliile  he  stood  deposed  from  the  functions  of  the 
ministry  by  another  Presbytery,  as  a  violation  of  the  Constitution 
of  the  Church,  and  in  its  tendency  subversive  of  the  principles 
of  good  government. 

There  are  but  two  ways  by  which  a  man  can  become  a  mem- 
ber of  a  Presbytery:  1st,  by  regular  process  of  trial,  licensure 
and  ordination,  whereby  he  is  constituted  a  minister  of  Jesus 
Christ,  and  clothed  with  all  the  functions  of  a  Gospel  minister. 
(See  Porm  of  Government,  ch.  14.) 

2nd.  By  a  letter  of  dismission  and  recommendation  from  one 
Presbytery  to  another. 

To  constitute  a  man  a  minister  of  Christ  and  clothe  him  with 
full  ecclesiastical  authority,  by  a  simple  declaration  or  resolution, 
is  wholly  unknown  to  the  Constitution  of  our  Church,  and  with- 
out precedent. 

Further,  your  Committee  are  of  the  opinion  that  when  a  min- 
ister is  deposed  by  a  Presbytery,  there  is  no  constitutional  authority 
by  which  he  can  be  restored,  except  by  the  Presbytery  that  deposed 
him,  and  to  which  alone  he  is  amenable  for  his  acts.  To  allow 
one  Presbytery  to  disregard  the  authority  and  set  aside  the  of- 
ficial acts  of  another  Presbytery,  by  receiving  a  deposed  member 
and  declaring  him  restored  to  the  full  functions  of  the  ministry, 


THE  PRESBYTERY.  146 

would  be  subversive  of  the  first  principles  of  government  and 
calculated  to  engender  strife  among  the  brethren. 

As  an  answer  to  the  two  questions  presented  by  the  Memphis 
Presbytery,  your  Committee  would  recommend  the  adoption  of 
the  following  resolutions: 

Resolved,  1st.  That  the  Memphis  Presbytery  did  act  unconsti- 
tutionally in  declaring  J.  A.  Dewoody  a  member  of  said  Presby- 
tery, and  restored  to  the  ministry',  while  he  stood  deposed  by 
the  Tennessee  Presbytery. 

Resolved,  2nd.  That  it  is  constitutional  and  proper  for  Mem- 
phis Presbyter}^  to  rescind  her  act,  in  obedience  to  the  request 
of  West  Tennessee  Synod,  purporting  to  restore  J.  A.  Dewoody. 
— 1858,  pp.  18-20. 

We  (Oregon  Presbyter)^)  ask  you  to  declare  that  it  is  the  con- 
stitutional right  of  the  Presbytery  that  censures  a  member  to 
remove  said  censure;  and  that  it  cannot  be  done  by  any  other 
body,  and  especially  while  the  censured  person  resides  out  of 
their  1x)unds. 

The  Assembly  answered:  "Sucli  right  is  vested  alone  in  the 
Presbytery  passing  the  censure." — 1863,  p.   77. 

Your  Committee  have  patiently  examined  a  memorial  from 
Sangamon  Presbytery,  and  also  an  appeal  from  Sangamon  Synod, 
relative  to  certain  difficulties  between  A.  II.  (loodpasture  and 
D.  E.  Bell.  They  find  that  the  prosecution,  upon  charges  in- 
stituted by  the  former  against  the  latter,  before  said  Presbytery, 
terminated  in  the  acquittal  of  the  defendant,  which  decision,  upon 
appeal,  was  reversed  by  said  Synod,  and  the  case  remanded. 
Whereupon  the  Presbytery  were  satisfied  with  the  confessions 
and  acknowledgments  of  said  Bell,  and  permitted  him  at  once 
to  assume  the  functions  of  the  ministry;  from  which  proceedings 
a  protest  was  taken  again  to  the  Synod,  where  the  same  was  sus- 
tained and  a  resolution  adopted,  that  the  said  Bell  should  be 
deposed  by  the  Presbyteiy  from  the  office  of  the  Gospel  min- 
istry, until  he  make  a  full  and  satisfactory  confession  of  his  guilt, 
and  exemplifies  it  by  a  reasonable  time  of  exemplary  and  edifying 
piety.  Your  Committee,  in  view  of  the  facts  of  the  case,  would 
recommend  the  adoption  of  the  following  resolution: 
10 


146  PART  IV.,  CHURCH  COURTS. 

Resolved,  That  it  was  the  province  of  the  Presbytery  to  judge 
of  the  sufficiency  of  the  acknowledgments  and  confessions  of  said 
Bell,  when  the  case  was  first  before  it,  and  therefore  the  decision 
of  the  Synod,  when  the  case  was  last  before  it,  was  erroneous,  and 
the  same  should  be  reversed,  and  the  proceedings  of  the  Pres- 
bytery affirmed.     Adopted. — 1854,  p.  78. 

(6)    Presbytery    has    the    power    to    decide    questions    of 

doctrine. 

Constitution,  Section  31. — The  Presbytery  has  power  to  re- 
solve questions  of  doctrine  and  discipline  seriously  and  reasonably 
proposed. 

If  the  two  brethren  teach  the  errors  so  in  conflict  with  the 
doctrines  of  our  Church,  the  Presbytery  is  competent  to  reprove 
or  censure,  and  to  exercise  its  constitutional  jurisdiction;  no 
authority  to  take  judicial  action  belonging  to  the  General  As- 
sembly, except  in  ease  of  appeal,  coming  regularly  from  the  lower 
courts.     Adopted. — 1861,  p.  17. 

(7)  Presbytery  has  the  pow'er  over  ministers. 

Constitution,  Section  31. — The  Presbytery  has  the  power  to 
require  ministers  to  devote  themselves  diligently  to  their  sacred 
calling. 

The  General  Assembly  urged  upon  the  various  Presbyteries  the 
importance  and  propriety  of  directing  their  preachers. — 1883, 
p.   17. 

By  a  resolution  of  this  General  Assembly,  the  Judiciary  Com- 
mittee is  directed  to  "inquire  and  report  whether,  under  the  law, 
a  Presbytery  has  any  mode  of  relieving  itself  of  idle  preachers, 
without  going  through  a  regular  trial  on  charges,  and  if  so,  what 
is  the  mode."  In  response  to  this  inquiry,  the  Committee  report, 
that  ministers  are  subject  to  the  direction  and  control  of  their 
Presbyteries,  and  that  when  they  fail  to  perform  their  ordination 
duties  they  are  liable  to  be  dealt  with  by  that  judicatory  as  their 
demerits  may  require,  by  censure,  reprimand,  or  even  deposition. 
If  a  minister  fails  persistently  to   work  in   the   sacred  cause  to 


THE  PRESBYTERY.  147 

which  he  has  been  set  apart,  he  should  be  dealt  with  by  the 
Presbyter}'  in  such  manner  as  that  body  in  their  wisdom  may 
consider  best  calculated  to  bring  him  to  a  sense  of  his  duty.  If 
he  should  fail  to  hear  them,  and  continue  in  the  neglect  of  duty, 
and  disregard  the  admonition  of  the  Presbytery,  the  proper 
charges,  trial,  and  penalty  should  follow.     Adopted. — 1878,  p.  31.. 

Resolved,  That  the  Presbyteries  be  required  to  call  each  minister 
in  charge  of  a  congregation  to  account  for  non-compliance  with, 
the  resolutions  and  edicts  of  the  Assembly.    Adopted. — 1879,  p.  35. 

Resolved,  That  the  Presbyteries  under  the  care  of  this  General 
Assembly  be  and  are  hereby  instructed  to  require  ministers  under 
their  care  diligently  to  perform  the  duties  pertaining  to  their 
sacred  calling.     Adopted. — 1894,  p.  50. 

Presbytery  has  the  authority  to  say  to  the  unemployed  preacher: 
"You  must  no  longer  be  idle,  but  go  and  feed  that  starving  con- 
gregation within  your  reach."  And  if  he  fails  to  obey,  and  per- 
sists in  his  idleness,  the  Presbytery  should  unhesitatingly  drop 
his  name  from  its  roll,  as  one  whom  God  has  not  called  to  preach 
the  Gospel.     Adopted.— 1895,  p.  54. 

(8)  Presbytery  has  the  power  over  churches. 

Constitution,  Section  31. — The  Presbytery  has  the  power  to 
review  .the  records  of  the  church  Sessions,  redress  whatever  they 
may  have  done  contrary  to  order,  and  take  effectual  care  that 
they  observe  the  Government  of  the  Church. 

Constitution,  Section  31. — The  Presbytery  has  the  power  to 
see  that  the  injunctions  of  the  higher  courts  are  obeyed. 

Constitution,  Section  31. — The  Presbytery  has  the  power, 
for  cause,  to  dissolve  the  relations  between  it  and  a  particular 
church,  which  shall  thereafter  cease  to  be  a  constituent  of  the 
Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,  and  forfeits  all  rights  as  such. 

The  Presbytery  has  the  right  to  cut  off  any  congregation  under 
its  control  and  deprive  it  of  presbyterial  representation,  whenever 
such  congregation  has  been  guilty  of  such  offense  as,  in  the  judg- 
ment of  the  Presbytei^,  may  justify  such  action.  Adopted. — 
1869,  p.  34. 


148  PART  IV.,  CHURCH  COURTS. 

Constitution,  Section  31. — The  Presbytery  has  the  power  to 
visit  particular  churches,  to  inquire  into  their  condition,  and 
redress  the  evils  that  may  have  arisen  in  them. 

The  Presbytery  has  power  to  send  committees  to  confer  with 
Sessions,  where  difficulties  exist,  and  to  settle  them,  if  practicable; 
if,  however,  such  difficulties  cannot  be  removed,  Presbytery  may 
•dissolve  such  Sessions,  and  divide  the  congregations,  attaching 
them  to  the  most  convenient  congregations,  the  Sessions  of  which 
may  deal  with  such  offending  members.  Adopted. — 1842,  p. 
41,  MSS. 

(9)  Presbytery  has  the  power  to  order  whatever  pertains 

to  the  welfare  of  its  churches. 

Constitution,  Section  31. — The  Presbytery  has  the  power,  in 
general,  to  order  whatever  pertains  to  the  spiritual  welfare  of 
the  churches  under  its  care. 

The  Ceneral  Assembly  urged  upon  the  Presbyteries  the  im- 
portance of  ordering  whatever  pertains  to  the  welfare  of  their 
churches. — 1882,  p.  17. 

(10)  Presbytery    has    control    of    the    relation    between 

ministers  and  churches. 

Constitution,  Section  31. — Presbytery  has  the  power  to  take 
special  oversight  of  vacant  churches. 

Constitution,  Section  58. — No  minister  shall  take  charge  of 
a  church  as  its  pastor,  or  otherwise,  without  the  consent  of  the 
Presbytery  in  the  bounds  of  which  the  church  is  located,  or 
subject  to  the  approval  of  the  Presbytery  at  its  next  stated 
meeting;  and  when  such  consent  is  obtained,  the  parties  shall  ful- 
fill mutual  engagements  with  fidelity. 

Constitution,  Section  31. — Presbytery  has  tlie  power  to  es- 
tablish the  pastoral  relation,  and  to  dissolve  it. 

Resolved,  By  this  General  Assembly,  that  no  minister  has  the 
constitutional  right  to  take  charge  of  any  congregation,  as  their 
stated  supply,  without  the  consent  of  liis  Presbytery,  and  of  the 


THE  PRESBYTERY.  149 

Presbytery  in  the  bounds  of  which  the  said  congregation  is  located. 
Adopted.— 1851.  p.   14. 

The  Assembly  adopted  the  following: 

The  government  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church  being 
Presbyterian,  it  is  of  the  first  importance  that  we  have  a  proper 
conception  of  the  nature  of  that  government,  and  then  adhere 
to  it  with  strictness  and  fidelity.  The  authority  of  a  church 
having  a  Presbyterian  form  of  government  is  vested  in  the  Pres- 
bytery; your  Committee  therefore  recommend  that  you  define  the 
duties  of  the  Presbyteries  to  the  churches  and  ministers,  and  of 
the  churches  and  ministers  to  the  Presbyteries. 

The  law  of  the  Church,  Constitution,  Section  31,  provides  that 
the  Presbytery  shall  "take  special  oversight  of  vacant  churches." 
It  also  says.  Section  58:  "No  minister  shall  take  charge  of  a 
church  as  pastor,  or  otherwise,  without  the  consent  of  the  Pres- 
bytery in  the  bounds  of  which  it  is  located,  or  subject  to  the 
approval  of  the  Presbytery  at  its  next  stated  meeting."'  The 
General  Regulations,  Section  4,  says:  "In  the  exercise  of  its  power 
to  procure  a  minister  to  take  charge  of  a  church,  as  pastor,  or 
otherwise,  the  church  Session  should  in  all  cases,  endeavor  to 
ascertain  the  will  of  the  church,  and  procure  such  minister  as 
will  best  suljserve  the  interests  of  that  particular  church." 

The  General  Assembly  of  1851  (Minutes,  p.  14)  said:  "N"o  min- 
ister has  the  constitutional  right  to  take  charge  of  any  congre- 
gation, as  their  stated  supply,  without  the  consent  of  his  Presby- 
tery and  of  the  Presbj^tery  in  the  hounds  of  which  the  said  con- 
gregation is  located."  In  1894  (Minutes,  p.  50)  the  General  As- 
sembly instructed  each  Presbytery  "to  appoint  a  Permanent  Com- 
mittee on  Pastorates  and  Supplies,  to  whom  all  matters  pertain- 
ing to  the  relation  between  ministers  and  churches,  which  rec|uire 
adjustment  in  the  interim  of  the  meetings  of  the  Presbytery, 
shall  be  referred."'  It  also,  at  the  same  meeting,  instructed  the 
Presbyteries  "to  require  all  their  churches  which  have  no  regular 
pastors  to  consult  the  Presbytery,  or  a  regularly  constituted  com- 
mittee thereof,  before  entering  into  an  engagement  with  a  min- 
ister." The  Assembly  of  1895  (Minutes,  p.  55)  reaffirmed  the 
action  of  the  Assembly  of  1894,  relative  to  pastorates  and  supplies. 


150  PART  IV.,  CHURCH  COURTS. 

Thus  it  will  be  seen  that  it  is  the  duty  of  every  Presbytery, 
acting  under  the  direction  of  the  General  Assembly,  to  appoint  a 
Committee  on  Pastorates  and  Supplies. 

It  is  clear,  then,  that  the  law  of  the  Church,  ])oth  constitutional 
and  statutory,  makes  it  the  duty  of,  and  gives  the  power  to,  the 
Presbytery  to  control  its  ministers  and  churches.  We  therefore 
recommend: 

(1)  That  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  every  Presbytery,  acting  under 
the  authority  of  the  law  of  the  Church,  to  appoint  a  Permanent 
Committee  on  Pastorates  and  Supplies. 

(2)  That  Sessions  of  vacant  churches,  in  all  cases,  consult  the 
Committee  on  Pastorates  and  Supplies,  before  entering  into  an 
engagement  with  a  minister  as  pastor,  or  otherwise,  and  that  the 
consent  of  the  Committee  be  obtained  l)eforc  such  engagement 
be  made. 

(3)  That  no  minister  sliall  take  charge  of  a  church  as  its  pastor, 
or  otherwise,  without  the  consent  of  the  Presljytery,  or  the  ap- 
proval of  the  Committee  on  Pastorates  and  Supplies,  subject  to 
the  subsequent  action  of  Presbytery. 

(4)  That  no  minister  shall  take  charge  of  a  church  in  the 
bounds  of  another  Presbytery,  as  its  pastor,  or  otherwise,  without 
first  obtaining  the  consent  of  the  Presbytery  to  which  the  church 
belongs,  or,  if  between  the  meetijigs  of  the  Presbytery,  without 
first  obtaining  the  consent  of  the  Presbytery's  Committee  on  Pas- 
torates and  Supplies.  In  case,  however,  that  said  Committee  and 
the  Session  should  disagree,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Session  U) 
supply  its  pulpit  until  the  next  stated  meeting  of  the  Presbytery, 
or  a  meeting  called  for  that  purpose,  when  the  Committee  and 
the  Session  shall  submit  the  whole  matter  to  the  Presbytery,  and 
then  abide  by  its  decision. 

(5)  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  tlie  Committee  on  Pastorates  and 
Supplies,  when  it  learns  that  a  church  is  vacant,  to  call  the  at- 
tention of  such  church  to  this  action  of  the  General  Assembly, 
and  to  co-operate  with  the  Session  in  securing  a  minister,  and 
when  there  has  been  a  failure  upon  the  part  of  either  Session  or 
minister  to  comply  with  this  deliverance  of  the  General  Assembly, 
the  Committee  shall  report  the  same  to  the  Presbytery.  And,  in 
.case  a  church  should  disregard  this  order,  and  employ  a  minister 


THE  PRESBYTERW  l.-,l 

from  another  Presbytery,  this  Committee  shall  notify  such  minister 
of  the  action  of  the  General  Assembly,  and  should  such  minister 
refuse  to  respect  the  authority  of  the  Committee,  it  shall  be  the 
duty  of  said  Committee  to  report  him  to  his  Presbytery,  also  to 
report  all  the  facts  to  their  own  Presbytery. 

(6)  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Stated  Clerk  of  every  Presby- 
tery to  send,  officially,  a  copy  of  this  deliverance  to  every  min- 
ister and  Session  of  the  Presbytery,  and  Sessions  should  be  in- 
structed to  have  this  deliverance  read  in  reoular  Session  meetinir 
and  spread  upon  their  records. — 1897,  pp.  40-43. 

(a)  Comtnittee  on  Fash, rales  and  Supplies. 

The  following  report  was  concurred  in: 

Your  Committee  to  whom  were  referred  certain  resolutions  as 
to  pastorates,  supplies,  etc.,  beg  leave  to  submit  the  following 
preamble  and  resolution,  and  recommend   that  they  be  adopted: 

Whereas,  It  is  the  duty  of  the  Presbytery  to  require  ministers 
to  devote  themselves  diligently  to  their  sacred  calling,  to  take 
special  oversight  of  vacant  churches,  to  concert  measures  for  the 
enlargement  of  the  Church  within  its  bounds;  in  general,  to  order 
whatever  pertains  to  the  spiritual  welfare  of  churches  under  its 
<3are;  and,  whereas,  there  is  great  laxness  in  tiiis  matter  on  the 
part  of  many  of  the  Presbyteries,  churches  being  allowed  to  ar- 
range for  supplies  or  pastors  almost  without  regard  to  the  Pres- 
bytery, and  ministers  being  allowed  nhnost  perfect  immunity  from 
presbyterial  authority  in  this  matter;  and,  whereas,  many  churches 
becoming  vacant  make  announcement  of  the  fact  in  the  Church 
papers,  and  often  scores  of  applications  for  the  ofhce  of  pastor  or 
supply  are  received  from  ministers  in  all  portions  of  the  Church; 
and,  whereas,  this  state  of  things  is  considered  detrimental  to  the 
cause  of  Christ  and  adverse  to  the  up-l)uilding  of  the  Church; 
therefore. 

Resolved,  That  the  Preslnteries  under  the  care  of  this  General 
Assembly  be,  and  are  hereby,  instructed: 

1.  To  require  ministers  under  their  care  diligently  to  perform 
the  duties  pertaining  to  their  sacred  calling. 

2.  To  require  as  far  as  possible  the  installation  of  pastors  in  the 
■churches  under  their  care. 


152  PAR  T  I V. ,  CHURCH  CO UR 1 X 

3.  To  require  all  their  churches  which  have  no  regular  pastors 
to  consult  the  Presbytery,  or  a  regularly  constituted  committee 
thereof,  before  entering  into  an  engagement  with  a  minister. 

4.  To  appoint  ministers  to  supply  such  churches  as  do  not  have 
regular  pastors  or  do  not  make  request  for  the  ratification  of  some 
arrangement  for  supplies  at  the  regular  annual  meeting  of  Pres- 
l)ytery. 

5.  To  appoint  a  permanent  Committee  on  Pastorates  and  Sup- 
plies, to  whom  all  matters  pertaining  to  the  relation  between  min- 
isters and  churches,  which  require  adjustment  in  the  interim  of 
the  meetings  of  Presbytery,  shall  be  referred. 

6.  To  see  that,  as  far  as  possible,  every  church  has  a  minister, 
and  every  minister  has  a  church. 

7.  To  require  all  ministers  devoting  themselves  to  evangelistic 
work  to  do  so  by  authority  of  and  under  the  direction  of  the 
Presbytery.— 1894,  p.  50. 

The  following  was  adopted: 

Your  Committee  are  unaljle  to  report  how  many  Presbyteries 
were  animated  by  the  action  of  the  General  xVssembly  of  1894, 
and  in  consequence  have  taken  a  more  efficient  oversight  of  their 
ministers  and  churches.  Evidences  indicate  that  a  number  have 
complied  with  the  said  action.  But  in  view  of  the  deplorable  fact 
that  so  many  Presbyteries  have  churches  which  are  dying  for  the 
want  of  tlie  Word  and  ordinances,  and  also  that  they  have  un- 
employed preachers  in  about  the  same  proportion,  your  Com- 
mittee are  earnestly  of  the  opinion  that  this  General  Assembly 
should  again  make  a  deliverance,  and  repeat  it  nc  .t  year,  and  for 
years  to  come,  that  each  Presbytery  has  the  autliority  to  say  to 
the  unemployed  preacher:  You  must  no  longer  be  idle,  but  go 
and  feed  that  starving  congregation  within  your  reach.  And  if 
he  fails  to  obey,  and  persists  in  his  idleness,  the  Presbytery  should 
unhesitatingly  drop  his  name  from  its  roll,  as  one  whom  God  has 
not  called  to  preach  the  Gospel.  We  believe  that  the  important 
fact  should  be  given  publicity  from  now  on,  in  stronger  terms 
than  ever  before,  among  all  our  preachers  and  churches,  that  we 
have  not  the  Congregational,  but  the  Presbyterian  form  of  gov- 
ernment, and  that  it  is  ])ositively  the  duty  of  each  Presbytery  to 


THE  PRESBYTERY-  153 

extend  its  protecting  and  guiding  hands  to  each  and  all  of  its 
ministers  and  congregations;  always^  under  God's  special  guidance^ 
by  Committees  on  Pastorates  and  Supplies,  and  otherwise,  giving 
every  needed  advice  and  assistance  in  procuring  the  preached  Word, 
and  in  maintaining  the  peace,  harmony  and  purity  of  the  Church. 
AVe  recommend, 

That  you  re-affirm  the  action  of  the  General  Assembly  of  1894, 
relative  to  Pastorates  and  Supplies. — 1895,  pp.  54,  55. 

A  memorial  from  Sacramento  Presbytery  urges  that  the  Assem- 
bl}^  require  the  Stated  Clerk  to  ''insert  in  the  blanks  sent  to  Clerks 
of  Presbyteries  a  place  for  the  names  of  Chairmen  of  Committees 
on  Pastorates  and  Supplies,"  and  that  the  names  be  inserted. 
Further,  that  ministers  seeking  places  direct  their  correspondence 
to  the  congregations  through  these  Committees.  As  to  the  first 
point,  your  Committee  recommend  its  adoption;  and  as  to  the 
second  point,  we  recommend  it,  as  far  as  practicable.  Adopted. 
—1896.  p.  49. 

[Note. — See  also  items  1,  2,  3,  4,  and  5,  above,  from  the  deliver- 
ance of  the  General  Assembly  in  189?,  touching  this  question.] 

In  ^dew  of  the  fact  that  the  Presbytery's  Committee  on  Pas- 
torates and  Supplies  is  virtually  a  commission  representing  the 
Presbyter}^  when  not  in  session,  we  recommend  that  Presbyteries 
should  exercise  the  greatest  care  in  selecting  safe  and  wise  men  to 
act  upon  this  very  important  Committee.     Adopted — 1898,  p.  52. 

(6)  Grouping  Churches. 

The  General  Assembly  adopted  the  following: 

It  is  the  duty  of  the  church  Session  "to  concert  the  best  meas- 
ures for  promoting  the  spiritual  interests  of  the  Church."  (Con- 
stitution, Section  27.)  "In  the  exercise  of  its  power  to  procure 
a  minister  to  take  charge  of  a  church  as  pastor,  or  otherwise,  the 
church  Session  should  in  all  cases  endeavor  to  ascertain  the  will 
of  the  church,  and  procure  such  minister  as  Avill  best  subsen'e  the 
interests  of  that  particular  church."  (General  Regulations,  Sec- 
tion 4.) 

It  is  the  duty  of  the  Presbytery  "to  concert  measures  for  the 


154  PARI'  11'.,  CHURCH  COURTS. 

eulaigt^iiieiit  oi'  the  Church  within  its  bounds/""  and  "to  order 
whatever  j)t3rtaiiis  to  the  spiritual  welfare  of  the  churches  under 
its  care"  (Constitution,  Section  31).  It  is  also  the  duty  of  the 
Presbytery  "to  take  s]jecial  oversight  of  vacant  churches."  (Con- 
stitution, Section  31.)  "No  minister  shall  take  charge  of  a  church 
as  its  pastor,  or  otherwise,  without  the  consent  of  the  Presbytery 
in  the  bounds  of  which  the  churcli  is  located,  or  subject  to  the 
approval  of  the  Pres])ytery  at  its  next  stated  meeting."  (Consti- 
tution, Section  58.) 

From  the  foregoing,  as  well  as  from  the  genius  of  Presbyterian- 
ism,  it  will  be  seen  that  the  governijig  authority  resides  in  the 
Presbytery.  The  Session  exercises  the  privileges  herein  set  forth, 
subordinate  to  and  under  the  authority  of  the  Presbytery,  whose 
decision  in  such  matters  is  final,  subject,  of  course,  to  the  review 
and  control  of  Synod. 

The  aim  of  the  Presbyteiy  in  the  discharge  of  its  duties  should 
be  the  doing  of  the  greatest  good  to  the  largest  number  for  the 
longest  time.  In  meeting  this  obligation  the  Presbytery  should 
strive  to  have  all  of  its  particular  churches  supplied  with  the  Word 
and  ordinances  of  the  Church.  It  is  a  lamentable  fact  that  a 
large  number  of  congregations  in  the  denomination  are  vacant, 
and  cannot  emj)loy  ministers.  It  is  also  true  in  many  instances 
that  little  or  no  effort  is  being  made  by  the  Presbyteries  to  supply 
these  starving  and  dying  churches  with  the  means  of  grace. 

In  order  that  these  weak  churches,  which  cannot  singly  sup- 
port a  minister,  may  be  supplied  with  the  means  of  grace,  it  is 
the  duty  of  every  Presbytery  to  group  its  churches  in  the  manner 
that  will  best  enable  the  Presbytery  to  look  after  the  spiritual 
welfare  of  the  churches  under  its  care. 

In  view  of  the  foregoing  facts  we  recommend  the   following: 

(1)  That  you  instruct  your  Presbyteries  to  group  such  of  their 
churches  as  ai-e  not  able  to  employ  a  minister  for  all  his  time, 
to  the  best  advantage  for  supplying  them  with  regular  preaching 
and  pastoral  oversight. 

(2)  That  you  instruct  your  Presbyteries  to  require  churches 
grouped  together  to  employ  the  same  minister. 

(3)  That  every  Presbyteiy,  in  its  care  of  a  group  of  churches, 
shall  enforce  the  same  rule  in  reference  to  its  Committee  on  Pas- 


THE  PRESBYTERY.  155 

torates  and  Supplies,  a.s  with  a  single  cliuich  eiu|iloying  a  minister 
for  all  his  time. 

(4)  That  every  one  of  your  Presbyteries  instruct  the  .Sessions 
of  respective  groujjs  to  meet  jointly,  if  necessary,  in  selecting  a 
minister  to  serve  them  as  pastor  or  stated  supply. 

(.3)  Tliat  you  instruct  each  of  your  Presbyteries  to  re(juire  all 
the  Sessions  and  churches  of  a  given  group  to  be  governed,  in 
their  selection  of  a  minister,  by  a  majority  of  the  Sessions  of  the 
churches  composing  the  group,  should  there  not  be  entire  unani- 
mity, unless  the  Presbytery  should  see  good  reason  for  ordering 
otherwise. — 1897,  pp.  42,  43. 

According  to  recommendation  (5)  of  the  report  of  the  Committee 
on  Church  Government,  of  the  last  Assembly  (see  JMinutes  of  1897, 
p.  43),  a  group  of  churches  is  to  be  governed,  in  selecting  a 
minister,  by  a  majority  of  the  Sessions  of  the  churches  compos- 
ing the  grou]);  but  it  does  not  provide  for  a  case  where  said 
Sessions  are  equally  divided  and  not  able  to  agree.  In  all  such 
cases  we  recommend  that  the  Presbytery's  Committee  on  Pas- 
torates and  Supplies  be  asked  to  cast  the  deciding  vote.  Adopted. 
—1898,  p.  52. 

(r)   Iiisfallation   of  pastors. 

Believing  that  the  regular  pastoral  relation  between  minister 
and  people  is  plainly  defined  in  the  Word  of  God,  and  incor- 
porated in  the  standards  of  our  Church,  and,  if  observed,  would 
greatly  promote  and  establish  the  prosperity  of  the  Church,  and 
bring  her  strength  more  efficiently  to  bear  in  sustaining  the  various 
benevolent  objects  of  Christianity,  therefore, 

Resolved,  That  while  tbe  General  Assembly  heartily  approve  the 
itinerant  plan  of  operations  as  an  efficient  one  to  plant  churches, 
and  well  suited  to  supply  the  thinly  populated  parts  of  our  coun- 
try, they  affectionately  recommend  to  the  several  Presbyteries  and 
congregations  to  give  more  particular  attention  to  the  establish- 
ment of  the  pastoral  relation,  as  the  scriptural  and  best  mode  to 
build  up  the  Church,  to  render  her  existence  permanent,  and  to 
develop  all  her  moral  energies  and  pecuniary  resources,  to  advance 
the  cause  of  Cbrist.     Adopted.— 1836,  p.  269,  MSS. 


156  PART  IV.,  CHURCH  COURTS. 

Every  congregation  able  to  do  so,  and  where  that  is  not  the 
case,  two  or  more  in  their  nnited  capacity,  should  elect  and  sus- 
tain a  pastor,  so  that  he  may  be  enabled  to  devote  all  his  time 
and  attention  to  the  great  work  of  the  ministry.  Such  pastoral 
relations  are  deemed  to  be  of  vital  importance  to  the  permanent 
prosperity  of  the  congregations  and  of  the  whole  Church.  Pas- 
toral relations  are  essentially  necessary  to  sustain  organized  con- 
gregations. The  Synods  are  reconnnended  to  second  the  laudable 
efforts  of  their  Presbyteries  and  congregations,  and  aid  them  in 
all  suitable  ways  in  effecting  the  above  desirable,  object.  Adopted. 
—1842,  pp.  81,  82,  MSS. 

It  is  the  opinion  of  your  Committee  that  the  general  adoption 
of  the  pastorate  system  will  be  followed  by  the  most  happy  results. 
It  will  infuse  new  life  into  your  ministry,  and  inspire  many  of 
your  weak,  dispirited  churches  with  confidence;  it  will  bring  the 
churches  into  closer  sympathy  with  each  other,  bind  them  more 
strongly  together,  and  its  good  results  will  no  doubt  l)e  felt  in 
every  department  of  your  work.     Adopted. — 1882,  p.  17. 

The  General  Assembly  made  the  following  recommendation  to 
the  Presbyteries: 

To  require,  as  far  as  possible,  the  installation  of  pastors  in  the- 
churches  under  their  care. — 1894,  p.  50. 

A  resolution  was  refeiTcd  to  your  (,^ommittee  in  regard  to  the 
installation  of  pastors  of  churches.  Your  Committee  recommend 
that  the  Assembly  reaffirm  its  deliverances  at  former  meetings, 
urging  that  church  Sessions  and  Presbyteries,  as  far  as  practicable, 
])romote  the  permanency  of  the  pastoral  relation  by  installation. 
—1896,  p.  48. 

As  early  as  1836  the  General  Assembly  made  a  deliverance 
favoring  the  establishment  of  the  pastoral  relation  between  min- 
isters and  churches.  Again  in  1842  special  emphasis  was  laid 
upon  this  subject. 

It  is  a  gratifying  fact  that  the  sentiment  in  favor  of  the  pas- 
torate system  is  growing  in  the  Church,  thus  bnnging  the  prac- 
tice more  into  harmony  with  the  law  of  the  Church. 


thb:  presbytery.  157 

But  from  the  reports  received  by  your  Stated  Clerk  from  the 
Stated  Clerks  of  Presbyteries,  it  appears  that  a  considerable  num- 
ber of  ministers  have  been  called  to  the  charge  of  churches  as 
pastors,  according  to  General  Regulations,  Section  4,  and  Con- 
stitution. Section  59,  Partf-  I.  and  II.,  and  that  the  Presbyteries 
approved  of  their  acceptance  of  these  calls,  but  neglected  to  pro- 
ceed, as  they  should  have  done,  to  order  formal  installation  ser- 
vices. In  forming  this  relation  the  idea  of  permanency  was 
evidently  in  the  thoughts  of  the  Sessions  extending  the  calls, 
and  in  the  minds  of  the  ministers  in  accepting  the  same.  These 
ministers  were  not  called  as  stated  supplies,  but  as  pastors.  The 
Assembly  of  189(5  (Minutes,  p.  48)  urged  ''Presbyteries,  as  far  as 
practicable,  to  promote  the  permanency  of  the  jiastoral  relation 
by  installation." 

In  view  of  the  foregoing  facts,  we  recommend  that  you  instruct 
the  Presbyteries  in  whose  boimds  such  a  relation  exists  between 
ministers  and  churches  to  proceed  with  as  little  delay  as  possible 
to  the  installation  of  such  ministers,  except  in  such  cases  as  may 
report  to  the  Presbytery  a  different  arrangement  from  the  one 
now  existing  between  the  minister  and  the  Session.  We  recom- 
mend also  that  you  instruct  your  Stated  Clerk  to  indicate  in- 
stalled pastors  in  the  forthcoming  Minutes,  and  that  hereafter 
ministers  who  are  not' reported  to  your  Stated  Clerk  as  installed 
shall  be  published  in  your  Minutes  as  supplies.  Adopted. — 1897, 
p.  43. 

(t/)   When   ministers  are  to  he  installed. 

In  accordance  with  the  law  (Constitution,  Section  59,  Parts  I. 
and  II.,  and  General  Regulations,  Section  4),  we  recommend  that 
you  instruct  your  Presbyteries  to  install  ministers  who  receive 
and  accept  calls  from  Sessions  by  the  consent  of  Presbyteries. 
In  other  words,  that  you  interpret  these  sections  as  follows:  That 
when  a  Session  extends  a  call  to  a  minister,  according  to  Con- 
stitution (Section  59,  Parts  I.  and  II.,  and  General  Regulations, 
Section  4),  such  call  implies  a  request  for  installation,  and  that 
a  minister's  acceptance  of  such  a  call  carries  with  it  his  request 
for  installation.     Adopted. — 1897,  p.  44. 


158  PART  //'.,  CHURCH  COURTS. 

(11)  Presbyteey  has  the  powee  to  unite  ok  divide  churches. 

Constitution,  Section  31. — The  Presbytery  has  the  power  to 
unite  or  divide  churches,  with  the  consent  of  a  majority  of  the 
members  thereof. 

A  Presbytery  has  the  right  to  dissolve  a  congregation,  with 
the  consent  of  its  mem])ers,  and  attach  tliera  to  otlier  congregations. 
Adopted.— 1869,  p.  34. 

But  the  same  Assembly  said:  The  Presbytery  has  not  the 
right  to  dissolve  a  congregation  so  as  to  deprive  individuals  be- 
longing to  it  of  church  membership,  this  being  the  province  of 
the  Session.— 1869,  p.  34. 

(12)  Presbytery  cannot  examine  ordained  ministers  coming 

BY  letter. 

The  Committee  on  Judiciary  respectfully  report  that  they  have 
considered  the  protest  and'  answer  from  the  Synod  of  Texas,  on 
the  following  facts,  to  wit:  Buffalo  Gap  Presbytery  amended  its 
by-laws  so  as  to  require  "all  ordained  ministers  applying  for  mem- 
bership in  said  Presbytery  to  submit  to  an  examination  on  litera- 
ture and  theology  previous  to  admission." 

This  amendment,  having  been  brought  to  the  notice  of  Synod 
through  its  Committee  on  Presbyterial  Minutes,  was  declared  "im- 
wa.rranted  by  the  Constitution  of  our  Church." 

The  record  seems  to  raise  two  questions:  first.  Could  Synod  take 
jurisdiction  of  the  case  in  the  manner  it  did?  and  secondly,  Was 
the  action  of  Synod  right  and  proper  in  declaring  said  amended 
by-la -v  unconstitutional? 

""•Ve  are  of  opinion  that  the  action  of  said  Synod  in  the 
premises  was  right,  and  recommend  that  it  be  sustained.  Adopted. 
—1892,  pp.  25,  26. 

(13)  Presbytery  may   allow  an   elder   who   has  not  been 

elected,  to  represent  his  Session. 

The  law  of  our  Church  requires  the  appointment  or  election 
of  delegates  to  Presbytery,  but  the  Committee  do  not  now  under- 


THE  PRESBYTERY.  159 

take  to  deciare  that  there  may  not  be  exceptional  instances  that 
would  make  it  proper  for  the  Presbytery  to  accept  other  evidence  of 
the  right  of  an  elder  to  represent  his  congregation.  Adopced 
1895,  p.  42. 

(14)  A    REPRESENTATIVE   CANNOT    BE   SEATED   BEFORE   HIS   CHURCH 

IS   RECEIVED. 

The  Iowa  Synod  held  that  the  Des  Moines  Presbytery  had  acted 
with  "irregularity  in  receiving  an  elder  as  a  representative,  and 
electing  him  as  Clerk  of  Des  Moines  Presbytery,  before  his  congre- 
gation was  taken  under  the  care  of  Presbytery."  On  appeal  to 
the  Assembly,  the  Synod  was  sustained. — 1860,  p.  73. 

(15)  Presbyteries  may  elect  ruling  elders,  who  are  not 

MEMBERS  of  THEIR  BODIES,  TO  POSITIONS. 

(a)  As  co'mmissio7iers  to  the  General  Assembly. 

The  General  Assembly  held  that  ruling  elders  who  are  not  mem- 
bers of  the  Presbyteries  electing  them  may  be  chosen  as  commis- 
sioners, provided  they  indicate  their  willingness  to  serve. — 1829, 
p.  9,  MSS. 

The  following  question  was  propounded  to  the  General  Assem- 
bly: Are  elders  who  are  not  members  of  Presbytery  eligible  to  be 
elected  commissioners  to  the  General  Assembly? 

The  Assembly  answered  this  question  in  the  affirmative,  for 
the  reason  that  the  book  gives  express  authority  to  Presbyteries  to 
appoint  elders  commissioners  to  the  General  Assembly,  without  ref- 
erence to  the  question  whether  such  elders  are  members  of  Presby- 
teries or  not. — 1875,  p.  24. 

(&)  As  committeemen  to  attend  to  presbi/terial  business. 

The  Assembly  held  that  Presbyteries,  in  some  cases,  may  select 
ruling  elders  who  are  not  members  of  these  bodies  "to  do  presbyte- 
rial  business;"  and  that,  in  other  cases,  they  should  not. — 1873, 
p.  30. 

In  the  matter  of  the  memorial  from  Bell  Presbytery  the  Com- 
mittee find  this  question : 


160  PART  IV.,  CHURCH  COURTS. 

"Are  ruling  elders  who  are  not  members  of  Presbytery,  compe- 
tent to  be  made  members  of  standing  committees?" 

The  Committee  have  not  reached  a  conclusion  on  tliis  question 
without  hesitation  and  difficulty.  We  believe  a  literal  interpreta- 
tion of  the  law  would  lead  to  an  answer  in  the  negative.  But  we 
believe,  further,  that  it  is  a  safe  rule  by  which  we  may  be  gov- 
erned, to  give  such  construction  of  the  law  as  will  enable  Church 
judicatories  to  promote  the  interest  of  the  Church  most  effectively. 
If  we  deny  the  right  of  Presbyteries  to  appoint  elders  to  important 
duties,  simply  because  they  are  not,  for  the  tini£  being,  members 
of  Presbytery,  we  thereby  greatly  curtail  the  ])Ower  of  the  Presby- 
teries in  employing  talented  and  useful  men  in  the  work  of  the 
Church. 

We  therefore  reach  the  conclusion,  that  a  liberal  construction  of 
the  law  in  the  ease  will  give  the  Presbyteries  enlarged  means  of 
usefulness,  and  that  no  injury  can  possibly  result.  We  therefore 
answer  the  question  in  the  affirmative. — 1875,  p.  24. 

m.  thp:  synod. 

1.  The  constituents  of  Synod. 

Constitution,  Section  35. — The  Synod  consists  of  all  the  min- 
isters, and  one  ruling  elder  from  each  church,  in  a  district  com- 
prising at  least  three  Presbyteries.  The  Synod  may  be  composed, 
at  its  own  option,  with  the  consent  of  a  majority  of  its  Presby- 
teries, either  of  all  the  ministers,  and  one  ruling  elder  from  each 
church  in  its  district,  or  of  equal  delegations  of  ministers  and  rul- 
ing ciders  selected  by  the  Presbyteries  on  a  basis  and  in  a  ratio  de- 
termined in  like  manner  by  the  Synod  and  its  Presbyteries. 

2.  A  quorum  of  Synod. 

Constitution,  Section  36. — Five  ministers,  who  are  members 
of  one  or  more  of  the  Presbyteries  composing  the  Synod,  shall  con- 
stitute a  quorum  for  the  transaction  of  synodical  business,  pro- 
vided there  be  present  at  least  one  minister  or  one  ruling  elder 
from  each  of  the  three  Presbyteries.     Members   of  the  different 


THE  SYNOiy.  161 

Presbyteries  in  Synod  .-hall  n«t  Ix-  entitled  to  vote  on  questions  of 
appeal  before  the  Synod  from  their  own  Presbytery,  nor  on  other 
question?   inmuM:liately   concerning  their  own   presbyterial   action. 

3.  Synods  are  created  by  authority   of   the  Assembly. 

C'oxsTiTLTioN.  SiiCTiox  4o. — 'J'hc  (ieucral  Ass^eniljly  has  the 
power  to  create,  divide  or  dissolve  Synods. 

Whereas.  The  mind  of  this  Assembly  is  solicited,  relative  to  the 
])eriod  in  which  a  Synod  receives  its  being. 

Resolved.  That  it  is  the  upiiiion  of  this  lIo\ise  that  a  Synod  ex- 
ists as  soon  as  it  is  ordered. — 1800.  j>p.   l.'U.  lo').  ^ISS. 

4.  Synodical  boundaries  are  determined  by  the  Assem- 

bly. 

As  to  the  boundaries  between  Synods,  the  Committee  say  that 
this  Assembly  is  the  jiroper  tribunal  to  settle  such  controversies. 
Adopted.— 1860,  }).  74. 

5.  But  in  change  of  boundaries,  interested  Synods  may 

speak. 

Wo  have  considered  the  memorial  from  Arkansas  Synod  with 
reference  to  the  chauge  of  boundary  lines  between  said  Synod  and 
the  Synod  of  Texas.  Wo  find  that  the  Arkansas  Synod  proposes 
certain  changes  in  the  boundary  lines;  and  that  the  Texas  Synod 
has  agreed  to  f)nly  a  ])ortion  of  the  proposed  changes.  We  think 
that  the  Arkansas  Synod  should  have  the  jirivilege  of  considering 
the  matter  again,  before  the  fJeneral  Assem))ly  takes  action.  We 
therefore  recommend  that  the  matter  be  referred  to  the  Arkansas 
Synod  for  further  action.     Adopted. — 1892.  p.  3.". 

We  have  considered  the  menK)rials  referred  to  us  in  relation  to 
the  action  of  the  Synod  of  Illinois  in  changing  the  lines  of  certain 
of  the  I^resbyteries  within  its  bounds,  one  from  A'andalia  Presby- 
tery complaining  of  the  action,  and  one  from  Decatur  Presbytery 
asking  that  said  action  be  snstained. 
11 


lt>2  PART  IV.,  CHURCH  COURTS. 

We  deem  it  improper  lor  tlie  General  Assembly  to  act  upon  the 
merits  of  questions  presented  by  complaint  or  memorial  in  relation 

■  to  the  action  of  Synods,  without  giving  the  Synod  of  whose  action 
complaint  is  made  an  opportvmity  to  be  heard.     Unless  a  iniina 

. facie: tn^v  is  made  out  by  the  complaint  or  memorial,  it  should  be 
dismissed. 

In  this  matter  we  see  no  sufficient  reason  why  the  deliberate  ac- 
tion of  the  Synod,  of  which  complaint  is  made,  should  be  disturbed, 
and  therefore  recommend  that  the  memorial  from  Vaudalia  Presby- 
tery be  dismissed.     Adopted. — 1891,  p.  17. 

6.  Members  of  Synod  should  attend. 

No  excuse  for  nun-attendanee  of  uieinbers  shall  be  deemed 
good,  unless  it  be  embraced  by  what  is  called  a  providential  liin- 
drancc. — Fr(Wi  Minutes  of  CuniherJand  ^i/nocL  1815. 

To  reach  delinquent  members  of  Synod,  your  Committee  recom- 
mend that  the  several  Synods  under  your  care  leiiuire  each  Pres- 
bytery to  hold  its  members  amenalde  for  non-attendance  at  Synod. 
The  reasons  rendered  shall  be  spread  on  theniinutes  of  Presbytery, 
but  no  reasons  shall  be  sustained  unless  they  show  that  the  hinder- 
ing causes  were  providential.    Adopted. — 1851.  p.  23. 

Presbyteries  have  the  right  to  call  on  all  delincjuent  members  and 
deal  with  them.— 1841.  p.  710,  MSS. 

Whereas,  The  Middle  Tennessee  Synod  has  said  that  the  principle 
authorizing  Presbyteries  to  call  on  the  church  Sessions  to  render 
an  excuse  for  failing  to  send  up  representatives,  is  not  secured  to 
Presbyteries,  therefore, 

Resolved,  That  in  the  opinion  of  this  General  Assembly  our 
Book  of  Discipline  secures  that  right  to  the  Presbyteries.  Adopted. 
—1841,  pp.  608,  609,  MSS. 

In  the  record  [of  Hernando  SynodJ  of  1858  we  find,  in  the 
report  of  the  Committee  on  the  Assembly's  ]\Iinntes  two  or  more 
resolutions;  the  first  stating,  that  if  any  of  the  brethren  "shall 
thereafter  be  absent  from  Synod,  for  more  than  two  years  con- 
secutively, unless  prevented  by  Pro'vadence  or  excused  by  Synod, 
they  shall   be   deemed   guilty  of  a  violation   of   their  ordination 


THE  SYNOD.  163 

vows;  and  for  such  negligence  sliaJl  )je  duly  summoned  Ijy 
the  Stated  Clerk  to  attend  the  next  annual  sitting  of 
Synod,  and  on  Lonviction  by  a  vote  of  a  majority  of  the  mem- 
bers present,  shall  be  punished  by  reproval,  reprimand,  censure, 
■or  order  to  the  Presbytery  of  which  sucli  delinquent  may  be  a 
member,  to  remove  him  from  the  oflfice  of  the  ministry,  accord- 
ing as  the  Syuod  may  deem  right  and  proper."  In  the  second 
resolution,  j^rovision  is  made  for  the  execution  of  similar  punish- 
ment, in  case  said  delinquents  do  not  attend  upon  this  summons. 
Your  Committee  are  of  the  opinion  that  neither  the  (lovernment 
of  the  Church,  as  found  in  the  Discipline,  nor  the  action  of 
the  General  xVsseniJjly  contem|)lates  or  warrants  such  a  course.  A 
Synod  may  take  action  against  a  I*resl)ytery;  may  suggest,  direct, 
censure,  or  dissolve,  Init  cannot  thus  adjudicate  upon  the  case 
of  individual  members  of  their  Presbyteries.  We,  therefore,  recom- 
mend the  adoption  of  the  following  resolution: 

Besolvcd.  That  the  action  of  lleraando  Synod,  during  the  session 
of  1858.  touching  ministers  delinciuent  in  attending  Synod,  is 
unconstitutional,  and  therefore  null  and  void.  Adopted.— 1859, 
p.  24. 

The  Committee  on  Judiciary  submitted  a  report,  which  was 
amended,  and  adopted  as  follows: 

Tn  the  matter  referred  to  this  Connnittee,  contained  in  the 
minutes  of  Central  Illinois  Synod  of  1878,  in  regard  to  the  non- 
attendance  of  ministers  and  the  non-representation  of  the  con- 
gregations, at  the  meetings  of  said  Synod,  your  Committee  report 
that,  after  duly  considering  the  same,  they  find  said  action  illegal 
and  void,  for  the  reason  that  the  Constitution  does  not  confer 
upon  Synod  the  power  to  deal  with  and  punish  individual  mem- 
bers of  the  courts  under  it,  nor  to  control  their  records,  and  this 
action  of  the  Synod  seeks  to  do  that  which  of  right  belongs  alone 
to  the  Presbytery  and  church  Sessions.  Tt  is  the  duty  of  the  min- 
isters in  person,  and  of  the  congregations  by  their  representatives, 
in  all  of  yovu'  PresbA'teries.  to  attend  Synod;  any  neglect  of 
this  duty  is  reprehensible.  But  S^-nods  can  only  deal  with  Pres- 
byteries for  such  delinquencies,  and  not  with  individual  mem- 
bers. Presbyteries  can  and  ought  to  enforce,  if  necessary,  at- 
tendance of  its  members  upon  the  meetings  of  Synod. — 1880,  p.  38. 


1«4  PART  n.,  CHLRCH  COURTS. 

7.   Mectinj^s  of  Synod. 

(1)    On    its  own    AD.IOTHXMKXT. 

OoKStiTUTiOK,  Skction  39. — 'I'he  Synod  shall  meet  as  often  as 
oDce  in  two  years,  on  its  own  adjournment. 

(2)  Provision  foh  failiki:  to  mekt  on  its  own  adjgurnmkkt. 

Constitution,  Section  39. — If,  for  any  cause,  the  Synod  sliail 
fail  to  meet  at  the  time  and  place  to  which  it  stands  adjourned, 
it  sliall  be  the  duty  of  the  Moderator,  or,  in  case  of  his  absence, 
death,  or  inability  to  act,  the  Stated  Clerk,  or,  in  case  of  hie 
absence,  death,  or  inability  to  act,  any  three  ministers  entitled  to 
membership  in  the  Synod,  and  belonging  to  different  l^resbyteries, 
to  call  a  meeting  as  early  as  practicable,  at  such  ])lace  as  may  be 
designated,  for  the  transaction  of  the  regular  business;  and  for 
this  purpose  a  circulai-  letter  shall  be  sent  to  every  minister  and 
ruling  elder  entitled  to  membership,  or  constituent  body  entitled 
to  re})roscntation  tlieix'in,  not  less  than  thirty  days  before  the 
meeting. 

(o)  May  a  Synod  hold  a  called  meeting? 

Genera  i>  Kkgilations.  Section  S. — Called  njeetings  of 
Church  courts  al)ove  the  church  Session  shall  be  composed  of  the 
same  members,  or  their  alternates,  constituting  the  preceding  stated 
meeting  of  the  same  court,  unless  the  constituent  body  shall  desigv 
nate  some  one  else  as  a  representative  to  such  called  meeting. 

We  [the  Judiciary  Committee]  find  referred  to  us  a  question 
involving  the  constitutionality  of  the  action  of  Union  Synod,  at 
<i  called  meeting  of  said  Synod,  held  in  July,  1856;  in  regard  to 
■which  your  Committee  believe  that,  in  taking  a  proper  view  of  the 
spirit  and  design  of  the  Discipline,  as  expressed  in  our  Form  of 
Government,  Chapter  X.,  Section  3.  said  action  was  constitutional 
and  orderly,  and.  on  the  same  authority,  the  Committee  believe 
the  proceedings  of  said  Synod,  at  an  adjourned  meeting,  in  Decemr 
l>er  of  the  same  year,  to  have  been  legal.     Adojited. — 185?,  ]).  (il. 


THE  SYNOD.  16^ 

It  appearing  to  the  Committee  [on  Overtures]  thai  all  the 
elements  of  a  S3'nod  still  exist,  notwithstanding  its  failure  to  meet 
according  to  adjournment,  we,  therefore,  recommend  that  the  last 
Moderator  of  the  Synod  [OzarkJ  be  directed  lo  call  a  meeting  of 
the  Synod  at  such  time  and  place  as  he  shall  deem  suitable,  ac- 
cording to  the  principles  laid  down  in  the  Form  of  Government 
for  the  calling  of  extraordinary  meetings  of  the  Presbyteries. 
Adopted.— 1860,  p.  32. 

Your  Committee  report  on  the  legality  of  the  called  meet  ing- 
ot the  Missouri  Synod,  which  was  referred  to  it:  That,  in  the 
absence  of  any  explicit  law  on  the  question,  and  in  xiaw  of  tiie 
fact  that  other  judicatures  of  our  Church,  with  a  similar  con- 
stitution, make  provision  for  called  meetings,  it  is,  therefore,  the 
opinion  of  your  Committee  that  the  Moderator  had  a  ])erfc*ct  riglit 
to  call  a  iueeting  of  said  Synod.     Adopted. — 1888,  }).  3'). 

It  is  the  o^Hnion  of  the  Committee  that  there  is  no  authority 
in  our  Constitution  for  a  Moderator  to  call  a  session  uf  the  Synod 
except  as  provided  in  Section  39,  where  the  Synod  fails  to  meet- 
on  its  own  adjournment.     Approved. — 1895,  jt.    12. 

[Note. — The  constitutional  law  for  such  a  meeting  is  sub- 
stantially the  same  in  the  Cumberland  Presl)yterian  Church  as  it 
is  in  the  Presbyterian  Church.  To  show  how  the  law  has  been 
interpreted  in  the  latter  Church,  a  few  decisions  are  suhjoined, 
from  "The  Presl)yterian  Digest  of  1898.''— J.  Y.  S.] 

The  Committee  on  Overtures  also    rejiorted    Overture   No.    13. 

This  overttirc  was  taken  up  and  is  as  follows,  viz.:  "An  answer 
is  requested  to  the  following  question,  viz.:  Has  the  ^loderator 
of  a  Synod  a  right  to  call  a  meeting  of  the  Synod  during  the  in- 
terval of  its  stated  sessions?'" 

Besolved,  by  the  Assembly,  That  this  question  l)e  answered  in 
the  affirmative.— 1829,  p.  268. 

The  Asseml)ly  took  up  the  protest  and  complaint  of  a  minority 
of  the  Synod  of  Yirginia  against  a  decision  of  said  Synod  in 
favor  of  called  meetings  of  S5'nod.  The  complainants  and  Synod 
were  heard,  after  which  it  was  resolved  that  the  complaint  be 
not  sustained.— 1832.  ]).  368. 


166  PART  11'.,   CIIi'RCH  COURTS. 

The  Committee  on  the  liecords  of  the  Synod  of  Tennessee  re- 
ported that,  after  a  carefid  examination  of  those  reeords,  they 
find  them  con-eet;  and  tlie  attention  of  tlie  Committee  having 
been  called  to  the  report  of  a  Committee  of  the  Synod  of  Ten- 
nessee, relating  to  the  constitutionality  of  a  called  meeting  of 
said  Synod,  convened  in  accordance  with  a  declarator}'  resolution 
of  the  General  Assemnly  of  the  I'resbyterian  Chui'ch  in  1T9G, 
and  found  on  i)age  3:^1  of  the  JJigest  published  in  1820,  after  a 
careful  examination  of  the  whole  stibject.  they  recommend  the 
following  action  in  the  case:  That  in  the  judgment  of  this  Lien- 
eral  Assembly  the  meeting  cif  tlie  Synod  of  Tennessee/  at  Knox- 
ville,  in  said  State,  on  the  ninth  day  of  November,  was  in  ac- 
cordance with  the  Constitution  of  the  Presbytenan  Church,  and 
the  Asseml)ly  do  so  declare.  The  report  was  adopted. — 185."),  p; 
1(1.  N.  S.—From   ''The  Pir.^hylrrian  J)if/esl,  ISOS,''  p.  240. 

8.  Meeting  of  Synod,  after  the  time  to  which  it  stood 
adjourned,  legal. 

Your  Judiciary  Committee  respectfully  report,  on  the  reference 
made  to  us  as  to  the  constitutionality  of  the  meeting  of  Green 
l\iver  Synod.  In  this  case,  it  a})pears  that  the  Synod  adjourned 
to  meet  October  2-1,  18G1,  at'  7  o'clock  p.m.,  but  did  not  meet 
until  11  o'clock  a.m.,  October  2.j,  18G1,  which  facts  are  recorded 
in  the  minutes.  We,  therefore,  report  Green  Iiivcr  Synod  in  order. 
Adopted. — 18()2,  p.  54. 

9.  Moderator  of  Synod. 

The  Committee  on  Judiciary  have  considered  the  case  from 
McAdow  Synod,  referred  to  them  by  your  body.  It  appears  that 
said  Synod,  at  its  session  for  1883.  organized,  and  reguhirly  elected 
a  Moderator.  On  the  second  day  of  its  session  it  took  recess  until 
2  o'clock  p.m.  At  that  hour  the  Moderator  was  absent.  The 
Stated  Clerk  then  called  the  Synod  to  order,  and  without  de- 
claring the  office  vacant,  the  Synod  elected  another  j\loderator. 

This  action  of  the  Synod  your  Committee  consider  irregular. 
'\A^e  are  of  opinion  that  it  is  contemplated,  under  our  Form  of 
Government,  that  ilie  ^Moderator  elected  at  the  oraanization  of  our 


THE  SYNOD.  10? 

Church  courts,  at  their  regular  sessions,  should  hold  his  ofiiee 
until  the  next  stated  meeting  of  such  court;  and  to  niake  the 
election  of  another  at  an  earlier  date  regular,  the  office  should 
in  some  way  have  first  hecome  vacant,  and  this  fact  should  apiu-ai- 
on  record.     Adopted.— 1884,  ]>.  33. 

[Note. — See  Part  IV.,  "Church  courts;"  Section  1.  "Modera- 
tors of  the  Church  courts,"  ]>.  lUl. J 

JO,  Clerk  of  Synod. 

[iSoTE. — See  Part  IV..  "Church  courts."  Section  2,. "Clerks  of 
Clujrch  courts,"  ]).   102.] 

n.  Synod  determines  presbyterial  boundaries. 

CoNSTiTUTiox,  Section  3T. — The  Synod  has  the  power  to 
create,  divide  or  dissolve  Preshyteries  when  deemed  expedient. 

It  is  ohjected  that  the  Synod  had  no  right  to  create  thi«  Pres- 
hyteiy,  out  of  Ked  Oak  and  otiun's,  against  the  objection  of  all 
or  even  one.  We  think  the  law  is  otherwise.  Form  of  Govern- 
ment, Cha]iter  X.,  Section  3.  gives  to  the  Syiiod  power  to  "cre<ite, 
divide  or  dissolve  Preshyteries,  ii'licn  deemed  expedient."  Tliat  is, 
as  we  construe  it,  when  the  Synod,  not  the  Preshyteries  or  con- 
gregations, deem  it  expedient  or  hest  for  the  Church.  Then,  if 
it  was  considered  "expedient"  hy  the  Synod,  they  had  the  poAver 
to  do  it.  It  might  l)e  hest  to  act  upon  petition  or  consent,  but 
that  is  not  necessary  to  the  lawful  power.  "We  have  no  riglit  to 
look  into,  or  })ass  uj)on,  their  nu)tives  and  ol)jects,  if  the  act 
done  was  Mithin  their  constitutional  p)ower.  It  may  be  that  this 
hody  would  have  the  right  to  coiTCct  any  abuse  of  the  power, 
were  the  matter  bi'ouglit  l)efore  it  by  any  jiropei-  mode.  But  the 
record  in  this  case  does  not  show  any  facts  to  authorize  us  to 
reverse  and  annul  their  action.  From  all  that  ajipears  to  us,  wo 
cannot  hut  hold  that  their  action  was  lawful.  A(lopted,.^18TG, 
p.  31.  "         '  '•■-:■ 

'Hie  Committee  on  Judiciary,  to  whom  was  referred  the  appeal 
of.  Tabor  congregation,  of  the  Texas  Synod,  would  state  that 
Tabor  Churcli.  of  Guadalu]ie  Presb3'tery,  in.  1890,  a])plied  in  the 


1K8  J'ART  ir.,  CHURCH  COURTS. 

first  instance  tu  the  Texas  Synod  to  transfer  Tabor  congregation 
from  the  Guadalupe  Presbytery  to  tlie  Colorado  Presbytery,  in 
compliance  with  said  request  Texas  Synod  transferred  said  con- 
gregation to  the  Colorado  I'resbytery.  Afterward,  in  1891,  upon 
an  application  of  the  Guadalupe  Presbytery,  the  Synod  of  Texas 
rescinded  its  former  action  transferring  said  Tabor  congregation 
to  the  Colorado  Presbytery. 

The  Committee,  after  a  consideration  of  all  the  facts,  find: 

1.  That  the  Synod  has  original  jurisdiction,  upon  the  application 
(tl'  a.  church  or  a  nuiuber  of  churches,  to  change  the  boundary 
lines  of  a  Pivsbytery,  and  to  ti'ansfer  one  or  more  congregations 
from  one  Presbytery  to  another,  and  that  the  Synod  in  its  first 
deliverance  upon  the  question  under  consideration  did  not  exceed 
its  powers. 

2.  The  Committee  further  find  that  the  action  of  the  Synod, 
rescinding  at  a  subsequent  session  its  action  in  tlie  first  instance, 
leaves  the  memorial  of  Tabor  congiegation  before  the  Synod. 

3.  The  Committee  recommend  that  the  said  Synod  of  Texas 
transfer  said  congregation  to  the  Colorado  Presbytery,  in  accord- 
ance with  the  memorial  and  request  of  Tabor  congTegation. 
Adopted.— 1892,  p.  2%. 

The  Committee  on  Judiciary  respectfully  report  that  they  have 
examined  the  memorial  from  the  Little  liiver  Presbytery,  of  the 
Texas  Synod,  in  regard  to  the  action  of  the  Texas  Synod,  relative 
to  the  boundary  lines  of  Little  Piver  Presl)ytery,  and  find  in  the 
papers  l>efore  them  that  no  specific  eoni])laint  is  made  by  the 
Presbytery  against  the  action  of  the  Synod.  However,  your 
Committee  would  recommend,  in  response  to  the  menujrial,  that 
you  reaffirm  the  former  deliverance  of  the  General  Assemldy — 
that  the  Synod  has  original  jurisdiction  in  determining  and  es- 
tablishing the  boundary  lines  of  Presbyteries.  Ado])ted. — 1892, 
p.  41. 

J  2.    May    Synod   transfer    the    membership  of   a  min- 
ister ? 

In  ilie  examination  of  the  minutes  of  Sangamon  Synod,  the 
"('ommittee  found  that  tlie  Svnod   liad  made  "'a  transfer  of  min- 


THE  SY\On.  169 

istei-s  from  cxne  Presbytery  to  another."     The  Assembly  r-egarded 
this  "as  unconstitutional." — 184T,  p.  (iOv,  MSS. 

Synods  iuiA-e  no  light  to  change  the  Presbyterial  relations  of 
a  minister  or  ministers;  except  in  constituting  new  Presbyteries. 
in  which  case  they  have  constitutional  jurisdiction  in  reference 
to  both  territory  and  ministers.-^-lH4^,  ]>.  ()20,  ]\I8S. 

Your  Committ4?e  appointed  on  the  minutes  of  Iowa  Synod, 
"would  report  that  they  have  examined  the  minutes  of  that  Synod, 
of  September.  18(>3,  and  find  that,  by  a  resolution  of  that  body, 
the  niembershi[)  of  Rev.  Wm.  l.ynn  was  changed  from  Iowa  to 
Oskaloosa  Presbytery,  without  changing  the  boundaries  of  those 
Presl)yterics.  This,  in  the  opinion  of  yoiir  Conmiittee.  is  a  depart- 
ure from  our  liook  of  Discipline.  We  can  conceive  of  very  ex- 
treme circumstances  when  such  action  is  justifiable,  but  in  such 
cases,  an  account  of  the  circumstances  should  be  spread  upon  the 
minutes.     Adopted. — 1865,  ]).  113. 

The  General  Assembly  did  not  concur  in  the  following  repoi-t: 
Your  Committee  on  the  ]\Iinutes  of  the  Synod  of  Iowa,  submit 
the  following  report: 

We  have  examined  the  Minutes  of  1812,  1873  and  1874.  In  the 
Minutes  of  1872,  we  hnd  that  the  Synod  transferred  the  mem- 
bership of  some  of  its  members  from  their  resj)ective  Presbyteries 
to  the  Presljytery  of  C'olesbnrg,  in  order  to  j)reserve  a  quorum 
in  said  P^esbyte^}^  This,  we  think,  was  iniconstitutional. — 187r», 
p.  19. 

Your  Cloiiimittee  on  the  Minutes  of  the  Synod  of  Ohio  woidd 
resi>ectfuUy  report,  that  we  have  examined  said  minutes,  and  see 
nothing  that  demands  criticism,  except  that  a  minister  of  one 
Presbytery  was  transferred  to  another,  which  we  think  is  contrary 
to  our  Constitution,  and  a  bad  precedent  to  establish,  and  cannot 
he  recognized  except  in  extreme  cases.     Approved. — 1896,  p.   63. 

The  question  ])resented  in  the  minutes  of  Pacific  Synod  has 
been  considered.  The  question  is.  whether  a  minister  with  a  letter 
of  dismission  and  recommendation  can  be  received  as  a  memlier 
of  a  Synod  in  another  section,  before  he  has  been  received  and 


170  J\IKT  IW.  CIH'RCH  COURTS. 

constituted  a  member  of  a  Presli^-tery  in  such  Synod?  It  is  our 
opinion  that  a  minister  must  hecome  a  member  of  a  Presbytery 
by  its  action  before  .ho  can  be  a  member  of  Synod.  Adopted. — 
1877,  p.  20. 

J  3.  The  name  of  the  Presbytery,  of  a  member  of  the 
Synod,  should  be  given. 

Your  Committee  a])])()inted  to  examine  the  ]\Linutes  of  the  Green 
Itiver  Synod  wouhl  respectfully  re])ort,  that  they  find  said  minutes 
in  good  order,  except  the  following  omissions,  viz.:. 

In  making  out  the  roll  of  members  in  attendance,  it  is  iiot 
stated  from  wliat  Presbyteries  tlie  elders  came. — 1870.  }).   1").' 

J  4.  Can  a  Synod  legalize  the  acts  of  an  irregular  Pres- 
bytery ? 

Ji'csulrcil,  That  Syiiods  eanuut  legalize  the  illegal  eonslilution 
and  acts  of  Presl)yterics.     Adopted.— 1841,  j).  (;2(».  :\ISS. 

This  question  is  answered  in  our  reply  to  the  I'eport  of  the 
Committee  on  the  Minutes  of  iJrazos  Synod.  In  addition  to  that, 
we  lay  down  this  general  principle  of  law:  That  no  legislative 
body  can  legalize  the  acts  of  another  legislative  body,  nor  can 
an  appellate  court  legalize  the  decisions  of  an  inferior  court.  We 
admit  that  a  legislature  might  legalize  the  acts  of  inferior  courts 
or  the  acts  of  ministerial  olTicers;  but  the  distinction  must  be 
constantly  borne  in  mind,  that  no  legislative'body  can  legalize  acts 
which  it  was  the  exclusive  ])rer()gative  of  another  legislative  body 
to  ]>ass  U])on.  Any  other  conclusion  would  involve  infinite  dif- 
ficulty and  confusion.     Approved. — 1875,  ]).  .")2. 

In  the  nuitter  of  the  report  of  tlie  Committee  on  the  Minutes 
of  Brazos  Synod,  referred  to  \is.  we  respectfully  submit  that  we 
were- unable  to  distinguish  with  precision  the  nature  of  the  duty 
required  of  us.  We  could  not  sujjpose  that  the  Assemldy  meant 
that  we  should  go  into  an  examination  of  the  minittes  of  Synod 
except  so  far  as  the  same  wei'e  criticised  by  the  report  of  the  Com- 
mittee on  said  minutes,  and  if.  upon  such  examination,  it  were 
found  that  any  legal  question  was  laised  by  said  re})ort,  then 'it 


THE  SYNOD.  17L 

>"oul(l  1)0  ]»JC)])er  for  lis  to  eonsidc]-  aiul  (k'U'niiiiU'  siicli  legal  (|ues- 
tiuiis.  Upon  this  view  of  our  duty  in  the  premises,  we  pi'oceeded 
(o  examine  said  report,  and  the  minutes  referred  to  therein;  and 
we  find  the  (question  ])resented  in  said  report,  whether  tlie  Synod 
lias  the  ])0wer  to  A'alidate  aets  done  at  an  ine^ular  session  of 
Preshytery.  hy  sini])ly  reeogiiizinji'  said  session. 

llie  Committee' are  of  the  opinion,  tliat' if  the- irregularity  eohi- 
plained  of  did  not  extend  "to  aiiytliing  vital^shcli  as  the  legality 
of  the  session — then  such  act  -  of  Pr^cshyta-y  might  not  he  void, 
hut  that  no  act  of  Synod  could  give  them  a  validity  which  they 
did  not  originally  possess.  If  such  irregularity  extended  to  any 
matter  essential  to  a  legal  session  of  Preshytery — such  as  meeting 
at  the  time  and  })lace  ap})ointed  l)y  Synod,  or  anything  of  thai 
character,  ihen  all  such  acts  of  Preshytery  are  void,  and  no  act  of 
S^'nod  coidd  give  them  legality  or  validity.  The  j'lde  of  the  law 
is  ])lain,  that  it'  thi-  act  of  the  hody  he  ofiginally  void,  then  no 
act  of  any  other  judicatory,  not  having  original  jiu'isdiction  in 
the  i)reniises.  can  make  it  good.  The  Preshyteries  have  original 
jurisdiction  within  the  limits  prescriljed  hy  law.  They  are  mere 
creatures  of  the  law  and  can  do  nothing  exce2)t  hy  the  authority 
of  law.  The  Synod  has  appellate  jurisdiction,  and  cannot  perform 
legislation  u})on  original  (piestions  which  helong  exclnsively  to 
Preshyteries.  It,  therefore,  follows,  that  any  act  of  Synod  which 
attemi)ts  to  legalize  acts  of  Preshyteries,  over  which  said  Synod 
had  no  original  jurisdiction,  is  a  simple  nullity,  and  cannoi  have 
the  efl'ect  to  give  validity  to  preslnierial  acts  originally  void.  In 
addition  to  the  nile  of  law  on  this  suhject,  it  would,  in  our  opinion, 
l>fi  a  very  dangerous  precedent  to  estahlish,  hy  saying  that  Pres- 
hyteries coidd  holdly  act  in  defiance  of  all  law,  and  then  present 
their  acts  to  Synod  for  api)roval  and  ratification.  Such  a  prece- 
dent and  ])ractice  would  destroy  all  suhordination  on  the  part 
of  the  inferior  judicatories,  and  would  he  suhversive  of  all  legal 
authority  and  all  good  government.     Adopted. — 1875,  p.  24.' 

J  5.  Acts  of  a  Synod  without  a  constitutional  element, 

ratified. 

I'jion  the  juinutcs  of  the  Colorado  Synod,  a  question  arises  as 
io  the  constitutional  or<;anization  of  its  last  meeting.     Tliis  Com- 


1 72  PAR  T  IV.,  CHURCH  CO  UR  TS. 

mittee  entertain  the  opinion  that  tliere  was  wanting  a  eonstitutiouat 

element  in  its  organization,  but  in  consequence  of  ini}X)rtant  vested 
rights  that  may  have  accrued  since  the  Synod  adjourned,  tliis 
(vommittee  recommends  that  the  Assembly  ratify  the  acts  of  ^aid 
Synod.     Adopted.— 18(30,  p.  74. 

)6.  Synod  cannot,  on  an  overture,  order  a  Presbytery^ 

to  re-open  a  case  that  has  passed  by 

review  and  control. 

The  following  was  rDncurred  in  Ity  the  Assembly: 

The  decision  of  the  point  which  the  memorialists  wished  tlie 
Assembly  to  decide  will  either  sustain  the  action  of  the  Presbytery 
[Sangamon],  or  that  of  the  Synod  [SanganionJ.  It  appears  tliat 
the  Synod,  in  the  Fall  of  18G4,  set  aside  the  action  of  the  Pres- 
bytery deposing  liev.  A.  Davis,  as  irregular,  and  ordered  the  Pres- 
bytery to  give  him  a  rehearing,  or  a  new  trial.  On  a  careful 
<'xamination  of  the  memorial  and  accompanying  papers,  we  do 
not  find  irregularity  in  the  action  of  the  Presbytery.  In  June, 
1802,  Rev.  A.  Davis  was  deposed  from  the  ministry,  on  a  charj^e 
of  immorality,  which,  in  the  judgment  of  the  Presbytery,  he 
confessed. 

It  does  not  appear  that  any  appeal  was  taken  from  this  action- 
It  was  aj)pr()ved  l\v  the  Synod  at  its  session  in  the  Pall  of  1862. 
The  memorialists  state  that  no  disapprobation  of  the  action  of  the 
Presbyter}-  was  manifested  until  the  year  had  i)assed.  At  the  last 
meeting  of  the  Synod,  in  the  Fall  of  1864,  Mr.  Davis  presented 
an  overture  in  which  he,  in  connection  with  four  members  of 
Presbytery  and  four  other  individuals,  set  forth  certain  statements 
purporting  to  show  irregularity  in  the  action  of  the  Presbyt-ery. 
This  overture,  not  a  regular  appeal,  was  entertained  by  the  Synod. 
It  appears  to  be  positively  stated  in  this  document  that  the  said 
Davis  did  not  confess  the  charge;  and  upon  this  outside  statement 
the  Synod  reversed  the  action  of  the  Presbytery,  and  its  own 
action  in  1862,  and  put  the  case  back  in  the  hands  of  the  Pres- 
bytery for  another  hearing. 

The  Presbytery  was  competent  at  the  time  of  its  decision  to 
know  whether  the  accused  confessed  the  charge.     The  Synod,  in 


THE  SVyOD.  175 

1^2,  when  the  case  was  fresh,  approved  the  action  of  the  I'res- 
bytery.  11'  the  action  ol  llie  I'resbytery  woii  irregular  tiie  accused 
liad  the  right  of  appeal  and  could  have  exercised  it,  and  have 
found  retli'ess,  in  the  Synod  of  1862,  and  from  the  action  of  that 
Synod,  if  aggrieved  by  it,  could  have  appealed  to  the  Assendjly,  as 
was  his  regular  remi'dy.  The  Committee  recommend  the  adoption 
of  the  subjoined,  and  in  doing  s^o,  we  decide,  not  on  the  guilt  of 
innocence  of  the  accused,  but  on  the  question  of  irregularity. 

Resolved,  Tliat  the  Assembly  does  hereby  sustain  the  action  of 
the  Sivugamon  I'resbyten',  in  June,  18G2,  and  the  action  of  Sanga- 
mon Synod,  approving  that  of  the  Presbytery,  at  its  Fall  sitting 
of  1862,  and  that  the  Assembly  hereby  disa})i)roAe  the  action  of 
the  Synod  of  1864  as  irregular,  and  directs  the  Synod  to  revei-se 
the  said  action.— 1865,  pp.  188,  189. 

J  7.  Can  Synod    order  a    Presbytery   to  drop   a   name 

from  its  roll? 

We  find  an  order  [by  Kentucky  Synod )  directing  Cumberland 
Presbytery  to  erase  the  naHie  of  a  member  from  its  list,  without 
stating  any  process  of  trial,  which  your  Committee  regard  as  an 
unconstittitional   act.     Adopted. — 1857,  }).   15. 

The  following  wag  adopted: 

In  the  matter  of  the  protest  found  in  the  minutes  of  West  Ten- 
nessee Synod,  in  which  comjilaint  is  made  of  the  action  of  the 
Synod  in  instructing  the  Memphis  Pres])ytery  to  drop  from  its 
roll  the  name  of  John  A.  Dewoody.  your  Committee  are  of  the 
opinion  that  the  action  of  s<iJd  Synod  wa.s.  iinder  all  the  cir- 
cumstances, eminently  proper  and  ]ierel)y  recoirimend  tlio  adoption 
of  the  following: 

Resolved,  That  it  is  the  sense  of  this  General  Assembly,  as  ex- 
pressed sidjstantially  by  the  Assembly  two  yeai-s  ago  [1855,  p.  49] 
that  it  is  highly  impro])er.  disorderly,  and  subversive  of  the  Gov- 
ernment of  our  Church,  for  any  Presbyterv  to  receive  as  a  mem- 
ber, or  recognize  any  nuni  as  an  orderly  minister  of  the  Cumber- 
land Presbyterian  Church,  against  whom  a  sentence  of  susj)ension 
or  deposition  bas  ])een  pronounced,  until  .said  sentence  has  been 
legally  revoke^l  or  withdrawn. — 1857,  p.  61. 


J74  PART  IV.,  CHrRCH  COrh'TS. 

The  action  of  Nolin  l'l•e^;l)yten•  in  ()rclainin>i-  ^Irs.  T..  ^l.  Woos- 
ley  to  the  work  oi*  tlie  (Jospel  niinisti'v  was  without  autliority  of 
the  Holy  Scri])tui'es.  and  without  authority  ol'  tlie  Constitution^ 
linles  of  Discipline  and  Confession  oF  Faith  of  the  CundK'rUVnd 
Preshyterian  Chnrcli,  and  such  ordination  was  and  is  null  and  void. 

The  action  of  tlie  Synod  of  Kentucky  in  dechiring  said  oidiua- 
tion  withont  autliority  fiom  tlic  Confession  of  Faith  or  llie  Holy 
Scriptnres,  was  and  is  ri^lit  and  correct. 

The  order  of  tlie  Synod  of  Kentnc]\'y  iusti'uetinu-  Nohn  I'res- 
bytery  to  retire  the  name  of  ^Irs.  1..  M.  W'oosley  lioiu  its  Hst  of 
ministers  was  right  and  proper,  and  sliould  ^\v  atlii'nied. 

We  recommend  tliat  the  a])peal  of  ^Irs.  Woosh-y  he  (Hsniissed^ 
and  the  action  of  the  Synod  of  Kentucky  he  ratified  and  altiruied. 
Adopted.— 1894.  p.  23. 

J  8.  Synod  may  remand  with  instructions. 

If,  in  the  progress  of  the  exain-ination.  the  Synod  llnds  evidences 
of  guilt  [of  a  minister  I  not  contained  in  any  of  the  charges, 
they  should  instruct  the  Preshytery  to  try  him  on  these  points,^ 
if  deemed  of  sufficient  importance  to  demand  the  censure  of  the 
Church.     x\do])ted.— 1858.  ]).  33. 

When  a  minister  under  censure  of  his  Preshytery,  appeals  to 
the  Synod,  has  the  Synod  the  right  to  judge  the  num.  and  to  Judge 
of  the  proceedings,  and  to  approve  or  condemn  them,  and,  if 
out  of  order,  to  remand  the  case  with  instrTictions? 

"^'onr  (Committee  |Judiciai*yI  would  answer,  that  any  judicature 
to  which  an  appeal  has  lieen  taken,  has  a  right  to  examine  the 
whol.^  proceedings  with  the  testimony,  and.  if  they  find  it  ac- 
cording to  order,  tc  affirm  the  decision  of  the  court  helow;  and, 
if  not  according  to  order,  to  remand  it  with  instructions.  Adopted. 
—1858.  p.  33. 

\9»  When  a  call  on  Presbytery  is  unconstitutional. 

In  the  minutes  of  1848,  the  Synod  [Illinois]  called  upon  Van- 
dalia  Preshytery  to  send  up  the  minutes  and  documents  relating 
to  the   case   of   A.   P.    Trowsdale.   basing   the   demand    on   public 


TH1-:  SYXOI).  175 

minor.  A'rnidalj;!  Pre^liyteiT  rofiised  to  oomph",  for  the  reasons 
that  ten  Year>«.  liad  elapsed  ^iiice  it  withdrew  the  license  of  A.  V. 
Trowsdak".  and  several  of  the  witnesses  had  died;  and  for  the  id- 
ditional  leason  that  the  minutes  of  the  Presln'tery  had  passeil  tlie 
Synod  at  the  proper  time,  without  remark.  Illinois  Synod  refen-od 
the  ease  to  this  General  Assi'mhly.     Therefore, 

Resolved.  That  in  the  opinion  of  this  General  Assembly  the  de- 
'mand  of  the  Synod,  in  calling  oii  Vandalia  Presbytery,  was  un- 
constitutional.    Ado]. ted.— 1849.  p.  23. 

20.  Corresponding  members,  and  visiting  brethren. 

Gexekal  Hegulatioxs,  Section  Ji. — ^linisters  in  good  stand- 
ing in 'Other  Presl)yteries,  or  in  any  ecclesiastical  body  with  which 
this  Church  has  established  correspondence,  being  present  at  any 
meeting  of  a  I'resln'tery  or  Synod,  may  be  invited  to  sit  and  de- 
liberate as  advisor}'  members.  Ministers  of  like  standing  in  other 
e^  angelica]  Churches  may  be  invited  to  sit  as  visiting  brethren. 
It  is  proper  for  the  Moderat<n-  appropriately  to  introduce  these 
•ministers. 

We,  your  Committee  on  the  Minutes  of  Oregon   Synod,   would 
respectfully  report  that  we  find  two  irregularities: 
■   1.  That  visiting  brethren   were   put  upon   regidar   committees, 
and  put  their  si'gnatures  to  the  reports. 

2.  Tliat  a  visiting  brother  was  made  Stated  Clerk,  pro  ^e?ii.,  and 
signed  the  minutes  as  such.      Adopted.- — 1.S92.   p.   53. 

[Note. — The  terms  '"advisory  memlKn-s"  and  "visiting  brethren" 
are  frequently  confounded.  The  foregoing  case  is  manifestly  an 
instance  of  that  kind. — J.  V.  S.] 

2 J.  Synod  held  on  Sunday. 

Your  Committee,  appointed  to  examine  the  mintites  of  the  Synod 
of  l>razos,  report  that  v\  e  have  had  a  printed  copy  of  the  minutes 
of  1870,  -of  said  Synod,  before  us,  and  find  them  in  the  main 
correct.  They,  however,  adjourned  on  Saturday  to  meet  on  Sab- 
bath morning,  whicb  your  Committee  think,  to  say  the  least,  is 
not  commendable.     Adopted. — 1871.  p.  13. 


176  PAR  T  IV.,  CHf  'RCH  CO  UR  TS. 

22.  A  Synod  should  obey  the  Assembly. 

The  Pennsylvania  Synod  of  1867  resolved:  "That,  for  the  time 
l:)eing,  we  will  withdraw  our  co-operation  from  the  General  As- 
^embl}',  in  the  way  of  declinin*:  to  support  the  Boards  of  the 
Church,  synodically  or  individually,  or  in  any  other  way  that 
would  express  our  sympathy  with  said  Assembly  in  its  teachings 
<»n  these  questions/' 

To  this  the  Assembly  replied,  that  "such  action  by  a  Synod  is 
subversive  of  the  best  interests  of  the  Church,  and  contrary  to  the 
/;onius  of  our  ecclesiastical  government." — 1868,  \\.  18. 

23.  Synods  must  see  that    their   Presbyteries  obey  the 

Constitution. 

It  [the  Synod]  has  a  constitutional  right  to  order  a  reconsidera- 
tion of  any  irregidarity  or  departure  from  the  Discipline,  and 
may  properly  recommend  a  Presbytery  to  rescind  an  act,  and  may 
also,  if  necessity  seem  to  require  it,  reconnnend  that  the  Moderator 
call  a  special  session  of  the  I'resbytery  forthwith. — 1834,  pp.  3^0, 
321.  MSS. 

24.  A  Synod  may  not    correct   its    minutes    after  they 

have  passed  the  Assembly. 

The  decision  is,  that  the  Syno<l  [Kentucky]  had  no  right  to 
cori-ect  its  minutes  after  they  had  passed  the  Assem])ly.  Yoar 
Conmiittee  are  of  opinion  that  tlie  decision  is  correct,  and  would 
rc'cduimend  that  it  be  sustained.     Adopted. — 1853,  p.  11. 

We  find  tliat  they  read,  corrected,  and  approved  a  part  of  the 
minutes  of  a  former  meeting  [Illinois  Synod],  which  act  we  under- 
stand to  be  a  violation  of  the  rule  forbidding  the  correction  ol  a 
]ninute  after  final  adjournment.     Adopted. — 1882,  p.  14. 

25.  May    Synod    direct    a    Presbytery    to    correct    its 

record  ? 

We,  therefore,  do  not  sustain  the  appeal  charging  the  Presby- 
tery with  irrogidai-  or  disorderly  proceeding,  there  beino-  onlv  one 


THE  SYNOD.  177 

error  or  omission  in  the  record,  wliicli  the  Presbytery  should  have 
been  directed  to  correct  or  supply.     Adopted.— 1864,  p.  138. 

26.  None  but  regular  ministers   and   elders    entitled  to 

sit  in  Synod. 

We  have  examined  the  minutes  of  Oregon  Synod  for  session  of 
June,  1886.  We  find  the  minutes  in  good  form,  with  no  departure 
from  the  usages  of  our  Church,  excei)t  the  following  paper  which 
was  adopted  by  that  body: 

"Wliercas,  Much  of  the  Christian  work  of  the  world  is  done  by 
faithful  Christian  women,  and 

"TTVtereas,  They  are  safe  in  counsel  and  zealous  in  effort;  there- 
fore, 

"Resulved,  That  we  invite  the  various  congregations  within  the 
bounds  of  this  Synod  to  send  each  one  lady  representative  to 
future  meetings  of  the  Synod,  who  shall  have  a  right  to  speak 
u})on  all  subjects  not  considered  in  interlocutory  session,  and  to 
exercise  an  advisory  influence  on  all  matters  before  the  Synod 
relating  to  the  interests  of  the  cause  of  Christ  within  our  bounds." 

We  think  this  a  departure  from  the  usage  of  Presbyterianism  of 
doubtful  propriety,  and  dangerous  tendency.  Xot  on  the  ground 
of  sex,  but  because  it  is  calling  lay  members  into  a  judicature  of 
the  Church  in  a  semi-organic  way.  Referred  to  Judiciary  Com- 
mittee.—1887,  p.  20. 

The  Committee  on  Judiciary  submitted  the  following  report 
on  the  matter  presented  in  the  foregoing  report  on  the  records 
of  Oregon  Synod,  which  was  adopted: 

The  Committee  on  Judiciary  have  considered  that  part  of  the 
report  of  the  Committee  on  the  Minutes  of  the  Synod  of  Oregon, 
wliich  has  been  referred  to  this  Committee,  and  report  thereon 
as  follows: 

We  are  of  opinion  that  said  report  should  be  adopted,  and  we 
so  recommend. 

The  proposed  action  of  said  Synod  would,  as  we  think,  be  in 
conflict  with  our  government,  and  for  this  reason,  as  well  as  for 
the  reasons  assigned  in  the  report  under  consideration,  said  action 
should  not  be  approved.     Adopted. — 1887,  pp.  20,  21. 
12 


178  J'ART  IV.,  CHURCH  COURTS. 

21,  Synod  cannot   be    made  the   final  court  of  appeal. 

The  inemurial  from  llie  PriiKi'lou  i'lesbylery,  referred  tu  us, 
asking  for  a  change  of  the  Form  of  Government  in  reference  to 
the  formation  and  legal  powers  of  I'resbyteries,  Synods,  and  the 
General  Assembly,  .  .  .  has  been  duly  considered  by  us.  Your 
Committee  is  of  the  ojunion  that  the  changes  ])roposed  are  so  radi- 
cal, and  subversive  of  the  forjuci'  pi  act  ice  of  the  Church,  that  it 
would  be  unwise  to  attempt  such  policy.  We  therefore  I'ccomuiend 
that  the  prayer  of  said  memorialists  be  not  granted.  Adopted. — 
1875,p.  23. 

The  meuKirial  from  iiouham  Presbytery  requests  that  the  tSynod 
be  made  the  linal  court  of  appeal,  except  upon  doctrinal  and  con- 
stitutional (pieslions.  Section  GT,  on  page  IIU,  of  the  Book  of 
Church  Govern uieiit  ])rovides  that  "livery  decision  made  by  any 
Church  court.  e.\cei)t  the  highest,  is  sul)ject  to  the  review  of  a 
superior  court,  and  may  be  l)rought  before  it  ])y  general  review 
and  control,  reference,  appeal,  or  complaint." — Adopted. — 1887, 
p.  13. 

The  Pittsburg  Presbytery,  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian 
Church,  convened  in  i-egular  session,  in  Pittsburg,  Pa.,  April  7-9, 
189G,  by  a  unanimous  vote,  adopted  the  following  resolulion: 

""liesoli-ed.  That  ihe  Pittsburg  Presbytery,  of  the  Cumljerland 
Presbyterian  Church,  hereby  memorialize  the  General  Asseml)ly, 
at  its  coming  nu'cling.  to  ordain  and  decree  that  the  Synod  shall 
l)e  a  coui't  of  final  apjical  in  matters  of  ap])eal.  complaint  and 
reference,  which  do  not  affect  tlie  doctrine  or  Constitution  of  the 
Church." 

The  Judiciary  Committee,  to  which  was  referred  the  menujrial 
from  the  Pittsl)urg  Presbytery  relating  to  ai)])eals.  ask  to  make 
the  following  report: 

The  memorialists  ask  that  "in  matters  of  appeal.  eom])laint  and 
reference,  which  do  not  affect  the  doctrine  or  Constitution  of  the 
Church,"  Synod  shall  l)e  a  court  of  final  appeal. 

The  change  asked  would  be  a  radical  one,  and  would  require 
a  two-thirds  vote  of  this  body  and  the  vote  of  a  majority  of  the 
Presbvteries. 


THE  c:J:NERAL  ASSEMBLY.  '  17^ 

We  do  uut  lliiiik  it  would  \w  wise  to  propose  the  change,  iu 
the  language  suggested,  lieeause  it  might  be  construed  to  give 
Synods  the  power  to  decide,  without  appeal,  whether  the  par- 
ticular case  involves  (ptestions  of  doctrine  and  Constitution.        -:: 

We  think  Synods  should  not  have  that  power,  without  appeal. 

On  the  other  hand,  if  an  appeal  should  be  allowed,  and  the 
Assembly  should  be  asked  to  decide  whether  the  given  case  in- 
volves the  Constitution  or  doctrine  of  the  Church,  the  facts  would 
have  to  ]je  laid  before  the  Asseml)ly,  in  order  intelligently  to 
determine  the  matter,  and  that  would  be  ecpiivalent  to  a  direct 
appeal.  " 

If  the  Constitution  were  so  altered  as  to  name  the  specific 
matters  which  Synod  might  finally  adjudicate,  it  might  be  well. 

But  we  respectfully  recommend  that  the  Assembly  decline  to 
accede  to  this  proposition  of  the  memorialists. — 1896,  pp.  59,  60. 

This  rej)ort  was  referred  to  the  next  General  Assembly,  which 
adopted  it.— 1897,  p.  69. 

IV.  THE  (;kneeal  assembly. 

Constitution.  Skci'iox  40.- — The  General  Assembly  is  the 
highest  court  of  this  Cluu'ch.  and  rejjresents  in  one  body  all  the 
particular  churches  Iheix'of.  It  bears  the  title'  of  the  General 
Assembly  of  the  Cumbei'land  Presbyterian  Church,  ami  constitutes 
the  bond  of  union,  jieace.  corresjiondence.  and  mutual  confidence 
among  all  its  churches  anrl  courts. 

J.  Formation  of  the  General  Assembly. 

The  su1)ject  of  a  General  Assend)ly  was  again  taken  up,  and 
after  mature  (U'liberation  and  fervent  and  solemn  })rayer  the 
Cij-eat  Head  of  the  Chui'ch.  in  an  unusual  manner,  seemed 
graciouslv  to  afl'ord  his  light,  and  a  decision  was  made  in  favor 
of  a  General  Assembly.  The  vote  stood  thus:  for  a  delegate 
Synod,  20;  for  a  General  Assembly.  67. 

V>l\erenfi,  This  Synod  have  determined  to  constitute  a  General 
Assembly; 

Tlefyolved.  That  the  following  Synods  be  constituted,  viz.:  1.  The 
McGee,  Bamett.  Sangamon.  Illinois.  St.  Louis,  and  Arkansas  Pres- 


180  PART  IV.,  CHURCH  COURTS. 

byteries  compose  a  Synod  to  be  known  as  the  Missouri  Synod, 
which  shall  meet  the  first  Tuesday  in  October,  1829,  at  Potosi, 
Washington  County,  State  of  Missouri;  and  that  Eev.  Finis  Ewing 
be  the  first  Moderator,  and  in  case  of  his  failure,  the  Eev.  Samuel 
King.  2.  That  the  Anderson,  Princeton,  Logan,  and  Indiana  Pres- 
byteries compose  a  Synod  to  be  known  as  the  Green  Eiver  Synod, 
to  meet  the  second  Tuesday  in  October,  1829,  at  tlie  town  of 
Henderson,  in  Henderson  County,  State  of  Kentucky;  and  that 
the  Eev.  David  Lowry  be  the  first  Moderator,  and  in  case  of 
liis  failure,  the  Eev.  Alexander  Chapman.  3.  That  the  Nashville, 
Lebanon,  Knoxville,  and  Hopewell  Presbyteries  compose  a  Synod 
to  be  known  as  the  Franklin  Synod,  to  meet  the  third  Tuesday 
in  October,  1829,  at  the  Big  Spring  Meeting  House,  in  Wilson 
County,  State  of  Tennessee;  and  that  the  Eev.  Thomas  Calhoun 
be  the  first  Moderator,  and  in  case  of  his  failure,  the  Eev.  Samuel 
McSpadden.  4.  That  the  Alabama,  Bigby,  Elk,  and  Tennessee 
Presbyteries  compose  a  Synod  to  be  known  as  the  Columbia  Synod, 
to  meet  on  the  fourth  Tuesday  in  October,  1829,  at  Huntsville, 
State  of  Alaoama;  and  that  the  Eev.  Eobert  Donnell  be  the  first 
Moderator,  and  in  case  of  his  failure,  the  Eev.  James  B.  Porter. 
— From  Minutes  of  Cvmherkuid  Synod,  October,  1828. 

Resolved,  That  tho  several  Presljyteries  be  authorized  and  re- 
quired to  appoint  and  send  commissioners  to  the  General  Assem- 
bly of  the  Cumberland  Presljyterian  Church,  which  is  to  meet 
at  Princeton,  Kentucky,  on  the  third  Tuesday  in  May,  1829,  in 
the  following  ratio,  viz.:  Each  Presbytery  consisting  of  twelve 
or  more  ministers  shall  send  two  ministers  and  two  elders. 

Resolved,  That  all  the  business  which  has  been  transacted  by 
this  Synod,  the  reports  and  accounts  which  were  to  be  made  to 
our  next  Synod,  be  referred  to  the  firet  meeting  of  the  General 
Assembly;  and  this  Synod  be,  and  the  same  is  hereby,  dissolved. 
— From  Minutes  of  Cumberland  Synod,  October,  1828. 

2.  First  meeting:  of  the  General  Assembly. 

On  Tuesday,  the  19th  day  of  May,  in  the  yeai-  of  our  Lord  one 
thousand  eight  hundred  and  twenty-nine,  a  quonmi  of  the  com- 
missioners who  had  been  appointed  by  their  respective  Presby- 


THE  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY.  181 

teries,  according  to  the  instructions  of  the  last  Synod,  met  at  the 
town  of  rrinceluu,  Caldwell  County,  State  of  Kentucky,  for  the 
purpose  of  constituting  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Cumberland 
Presbyterian  Church. 

The  Kev.  Robert  Donnell  being  invited,  opened  the  meeting 
by  a  sermon  from  1  Kings,  third  chapter,  and  ninth  verse. 

The  Eev.  Thomas  Calhoun,  being  then  invited,  took  the  chair 
and  constitiited  the  General  Assembly  by  prayer. — 1829,  pp. 
1,  2,  MSS. 

Eev.  Thomas  Calhoun  was  chosen  Moderator,  and  Rev.  Richard 
Beard,  Clerk.— 1829,  p.  i,  MSS. 

Rev.  Franceway  R.  Cossitt  was  appointed  Stated  Clerk. — 1829, 
p.  IG,  MSS. 

With  the  exceptions  of  1839  and  1844,  tJie  General  Assembly 
has  met  annually.  Until  1855  it  met  on  the  third  Tuesday  of 
May,  at  11  o'clock,  a.m.,  since  which  time  it  has  met  on  the  third 
Thursday  of  May,  at  11  o'clock,  a.m. 

The  following  table  exhibits  the  time  and  place  of  meeting, 
together  with  the  names  of  the  Moderators  and  Stated  Clerks  of 
the  Assembly,  showing  also  the  niunber  of  commissioners  enrolled 
at  each  meeting. 


182 


PART  //'.,  CHURCH  COURTS. 


The  General  Assembly,  1829-1^ 


Date. 


1829,  May  10. 

1830,  May  IS 
1831,Mavir  . 

1832,  May  15.. 

1833,  May  21   . 

1834,  May  20. 

1835,  May  lit. 
183t),  May  17 . . 

1837,  May  Ifi.. 

1838,  May  15.. 

1840,  May  1!».. 

1841,  May  18.. 

1842,  May  17.. 

1843,  May  10. . 

1845,  May  2J. . 

1846,  May  19. . 

1847,  May  IS. . 

1848,  May  Kl.. 

1849,  May  15.. 

1850,  May  21 .  . 

1851,  May  20  . 

1852,  May  IS. 

1853,  May  17  . 
1S54,  May  Ki.. 
1855,  May  15 . 
1850,  May  15., 

1857,  May  21 . . 

1858,  May  20.. 

1859,  May  19. 

1800,  May  17., 

1801,  May  10., 

1802,  May  15., 
\m\,  May  21 . 

1804,  May  19. 

1805,  May  18. 
1800,  May  17. 
Wn,  May  10. 
1868,  May  21 . 
1809,  May  20. 

1870,  May  19. 

1871,  May  18. 

1872,  May  10. 

1873,  May  15. 

1874,  May  21 . 

1875,  May  20. 

1876,  May  is. 

1877,  May  17. 

1878,  May  10. 

1879,  May  15. 

1880,  May  20. 

1881,  May  19. 

1882,  May  IS. 

1883,  May  17. 

1884,  May  15. 

1885,  May  21 . 
1880,  May  20. 

1887,  May  19. 

1888,  May  17. 

1889,  May  10. 

1890,  May  15. 

1891,  MaV  21 

1892,  May  19. 

1893,  May  18. 

1894,  May  17. 

1895,  May  10. 

1896,  May  21 . 

1897,  May  20. 

1898,  May  19. 


Place. 


Moderator. 


Princeton,  Ky 

Princeton,  Ky 

Priucctou,  Ky 

Na.shyillf,  Tenn 

Nashyillc,  Tenn 

Nash-yill<',  Tenn 

Princeton,  Ky 

Nashyille,  Tenn 

Princeton,  Ky 

Lebanon,  Tenn 

Elkton,Ky 

0%yensbon),  Ky 

0\yensboro,  Ky 

Owcnsboro,  Ky 

Lebanon,  Tenn 

0\yenHboro,  Ky 

Lebanon,  O 

Memphis,  Tenn  

Princeton,  Ky 

<  "larlcsyille,  Tenn .  .  . . 

Pittsburg,  Pa 

Nashville,  Tenn 

Princeton,  Ky 

Memphis,  T<'nn 

Lebanon,  Ti'nn 

Louisyille,  Ky 

Li'xington,  Mo 

Hunts-^ille,  Ala 

Evans\-ille,  Ind 

Nashville,  Tenn 

St.  Louis,  Mo 

O\y(nsboro,  Ky 

Alton, Dl. 

Lebanon,  O 

Eyansyille,  Ind 

O%yensbor(>,  Ky 

Memphis,  Tenn 

Lincoln,  111 

Murfrecsboro,  Tenn 
Warrensburg,  Mo. . 
Nasll^^lle,  Tenn... 
Evansville,  Ind  .    . . 

HuntsA-ille,  Ala 

SpriuKfield,  Mo 

.Jefferwm,  Tex 

Bowling  Green,  Ky. 

Lincoln,  111 

Lebanon,  Tenn 

Memphis,  Tenn 

Eyans-\-ill(%  Ind 

Austin,  Tex 

Huntsyille,  Ala 

Nashyille,  Tenn 

JIcKi-esport,  Pa.. . . 
B('ut(>n\'ille,  Ark. . . 

Scdalia,  Mo 

C<)%'ington,  O 

Waco,  Tex 

Kansas  City,  Mo  — 
Union  City,  Tenn . 
0^vensboro,  Ky 
Memphis,  Tenn 
Little  Rock,  Ark. . 

Eugene,  Ore 

Meridian,  Miss 

Birmingham,  Ala. 

Chicago,  111 

Marshall    Mo 


Stated  Clerk. 


Thomas  Calhoun  +. 
James,  B.  Porter  +  . 
Alex.  Chapmanf. 
Samuel  Kingf. 
Th<  )mas  Calhoun  +. 

r.  R.  Cossittf 

Samuel  King  + 

Reuben  Burro\v  -j-. . 
Robert  Donnellf. 
Hiram  A.  Hunter  + 
Reiiben  Burrow +. 
William  Ralston  t  , 

Milton  Birdt 

A.  M.  Bryan  + 

Richard  Beard  + 

M.  H.  Bonei 

Hiram  A.  Hunter  t 
Milton  Bird +.. 

.Tnhu  L.  Smith  T 

Ri  'uVjen  Burrow  t.  ■ 
Milton  Bird  + 
David  Lowrvf. . 

H.  S.  Porter-h 

Lsaac  Shook-r 

M.  H.  Bimet  

Milton  Birdi 

(Larson  P.  Reedf 
Felix  .Johnson "r. . . , 

T.  B.  Wilson +. 

S.  Ct.  Burnevr 

A.  E.  Cooper-i- 

P.  «.  Rea 

Milton  Bird-r 

.Jess  ',  Andcrsiinf  ■ 

H.  Douglass  f 

Richard  Beard t  . 

,J.  B.  Mitchell 

(i-.  W.  Mitchell. 
S.  T.  Anderson  +. 

•T.  V.  Provine 

J.  B.  Logan -j- 

C.  H.Bell 

.1.  W.  Poindexterf 

T.  C.  Blake+ 

W.  S.  Campbell +. 

,1.  M.  Gill 

A.  B.  Miller 

D.  E.  Bushnell 

.1.  S.  Grider 

A.  Templeton  +      . 

W.  .J.  Darby 

S.  H.  Buchanan 

A.  J.  McGlumphy 
.John  Prizzell  +*.... 
G.  T.  Stainback. .  . . 

E.  B.  Crisman 

Nathan  Green*.    . . 

W.H.  Black 

J.  M.  Hubbert 

E.  G.  McLean 

E.  E.  Beard* 

W.  S.  Danley 

W.  T.  Ferguson.  . . 

F.  R.  Earle 

M.  B.  DeWitt 

A.  W.  Hawkins. 
H.  S.Williams 

H.  H.  Norman*  . 


F.  R.  Cossitt  T. 

F.  R.  Cossitt  + 

F.  R.  Cos.sittT 

F.  R.  Cossitt  +. . 

F.  R.  Cossitt  + 

James  Smith  i 

James  Smith  -1- 

.Tam^'S  Smith i 
James  Smith + 
.James  Smith +  .  .  .  . 
.James  Smith +  . 
C.  G.  McPherson+. 
C.  G.  McPhersonf. 
C.  G.  McPherson  +. 
C.  G.  McPherson  +. 
C.  G.  McPhersonf. 
C.  G.  McPher.son  +. 
C!.  G.  McPherson  +. 
C.  (t.  McPhersonf. 

Milton  Bird  + 

Milton  Birdf  

Milton  Bird  -r 

Milton  Birdf 

Milton  Birdi 

Miltoh  Birdr 

Milton  Birdr  

Miltcin  Bird  + 

Milton  Birdi 

Milton  Birdi 

Milt.m  Birdi 

Milton  Birdi 

Milt(.n  Birdi 

Milton  Birdi 

Milton  Birdi 

Miltoi.  Birdi 

Milton  Birdi 

Milton  Birdi 

Milton  Bird  i 

Milt(m  Birdi 

Milton  Birdi 

Milton  Birdi 

Milton  Birdi 
John  Frizzell  i*. . . 
John  Frizzelli'-. . . 
John  Frizzelli'.  . 
John  Frizzelli*. . . 
John  Frizzelli*.. . 
JohnF;-izzelli*.. 
John  Frizzelli*.. 
John  Frizzelli*.. 
John  Frizzelli*. . . 
John  Frizzelli*.  ■ 

T.  C.  Blakei 

T.  C.  Blakei 

T.  C.  Blakei 

T.  C.  Blakei 

T.  C.  Blakei 

T.  C.  Blakei 

T.  C.  Blakei 

T.  C.  Blakei 

T.  C.  Blakei 

T.  C.  Blakei 

T.  O.  Blakei 

T.  C.  Blakei 

T.  C.  Blakei 

J.  M.  Hubbert .... 
J.  M.  Hubbert .... 
J.  M.  Hubbert 


Mem- 
bers. 

26 
36 
34 
33 
32 
45 
40 
43 
44 
45 
55 
53 
57 
68 
93 
84 
70 
99 
75 
102 
71 
107 
108 
112 
101 
99 
106 
124 
131 
168 
51 
58 
73 
64 
77 
155 
173 
184 
173 
167 
173 
182 
165 
185 
169 
184 
171 
205 
143 
194 
187 
183 
204 
148 
183 
193 
187 
217 
217 
220 
213 
229 
226 
167 
208 
200 
224 
221 


i  Deceased.        *  Ruling  Elder,  others  being  ministers. 


THE  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY.  183 

3.  Basis  of  representation  in  the  General  Assembly. 

C'oxsTiTi'Tiox,  Sectiox  41. — Every  Presbytery  shall  be  entitled 
to  send  one  minister  and  one  ruling"  elder;  bnt  if  it  consists  of 
eiofhteen  or  more  ministerial  nicniliei-s,  it  may  send  an  additional 
minister  and  nding  elder. 

4.  Commissioners  to  the  General  Assembly. 

CoxsTiTUTiox.  Sectiox  41. — Kaeh  Commissioner,  before  lii^ 
name  shall  be  enrolled  as  a  member  of  the  General  Assembly, 
shall  ])roduce  from  liis  Presbytery  satisfactory  evidence  of  his 
appointment. 

Your  Committee  appointed  to  examine  the  eligibility  of  Eev. 
J.  II.  W.  Jones  as  a  commissioner  to  this  General  Assembly,  would 
report  that  the  papers  in  onr  hands  show  that  he  was  chosen 
as  a  connnissioner  to  this  ({eneral  Assembly  by  Obion  Presbytery 
at  its  regular  meeting.  ]\Jarch  13,  1893.  After  the  adjournment 
of  Presbytery  the  question  of  the  eligibility  of  said  J.  II.  "\V.  Jones 
'was  raised  and  an  extra  session  of  Presbytery  convened  ]\Iarch  30. 
At  this  meeting  the  ])revious  action  of  Presbytery  was  confirmed. 
Yoiir  Committee  understand  that  at  this  meeting  Ik-other  Jones 
received  thirty-eight  of  the  forty  votes  recorded  as  present.  Before 
the  close  of  said  meeting  a  solemn  protest  was  entered  to  the  afore- 
said action  by  Pev.  J.  A.  McDonald  and  T.  J.  Latimer,  basing 
said  protest  uj)()n  the  fact  that  J.  II.  W.  Jones  has  been  residing 
for  abont  two  years  in  the  city  of  St.  Louis,  without  the  bounds 
of  this  Presbytery.  Therefore  they  claim  that  he  is  ])tirred  from 
being  a  commissioner  to  this  General  Assembly.  But  your  Com- 
mittee find  by  diligent  inquiry  that  Brother  Jones  has  attended 
all  the  meetings  of  Presbytery,  and  has  attended  Synod  as  a 
delegate,  ;ind  that  he  is  now  the  i)astor  of  more  than  one  church 
in  the  bounds  of  Obion  Presbytery  and  spends  fully  two-thirds 
of  his  time  in  the  1)0unds  of  the  Presbytery.  Your  Committee 
therefore  see  no  reason  why  he  should  not  be  a  member  of  this 
body,  and  we  recommend  that  his  name  be  enrolled  as  such. 
Adopted.— 18i)3,  pp.  11,  12. 


184  PART  IV.,  CHURCH  COURTS. 

The  question  is  upon  the  eligibility  of  Kev.  W.  L.  Williams  to 
sit  as  a  conuuissioner  Irom  West  Iowa  Presbytery,  upon  regular 
credentials  of  appointment  as  second  alternate,  and  m  the  absence 
of  the  principal  and  first  alternate.  There  ap2)ears  no  restriction 
in  our  government  upon  this  subject,  and  as  the  appointment  of 
alternates  is  for  the  purpose  of  insuring  as  far  as  possible  repre- 
sentation in  the  higher  courts,  we  submit  that  the  Presbytery 
is  competent  to  determine  the  number  of  those  ap])ointed  as  alter- 
nates. Therefore  we  recommend  that  Brother  Williams  be  seated. 
Adopted.— 1893,  p.  12. 

Your  Committee  beg  leave  to  report  that  we  have  examined  the 
credentials  of  Kev.  E.  C.  Boaz  and  find  them  regular.  The  protest 
against  his  being  seated  as  a  commissioner  of  this  body  1)eing 
verbal  only,  we  have  no  grounds  to  recognize  the  same.  Ado[)ted. 
— 189(i.  ]).  9. 

(1)  Not  necessary  to  be  a  pastor  in  order  to   bi-:  a  com- 

missioner TO  the  General  Assembly. 

Is  a  minister  having  no  pastoral  charge,  on  that  account  ren- 
dered ineligiljle  to  a  seat  in  the  General  Assemljly?  Decided 
that  he  is  not.— 1846,  p.  494,  MSS. 

(2)  Commissioners   should   remain    through    the    Assembly. 

Besohed,  That  the  Presbyteries  within  the  l)ounds  of  the  Church 
be,  and  are  hereby,  requested  to  appoint  and  commission  no  mem- 
ber to  this  body  who  will  not  remain  diu'ing  the  whole  of  its 
deliberations,  unless  called  to  leave  by  some  intervening  providence, 
and  that  if  any  member  travel  on  the  Sal)bath  day.  in  going  to 
or  returning  from  the  Asseml)ly,  he  be  dealt  with  for  an  im- 
morality.    Ado]>ted. — 1852,  p.  31. 

(3)  Commissioners  are  accoi'Ntable  to  their  Pkeshyteries. 

ResohecL  That  it  is  the  opinion  of  this  Assembly  that  it  has  not 
the  right  to  require  commissioners  to  render  an  account  for  failure 
to  attend  at  the  commencement  of  the  session  of  the  Assembly, 
they  being  accountable  to  their  respective  Presbyteries. — 1832.  pp. 
98,  99,  MSS. 


THE  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY.  185 

(4)  COMMISSIOXEHS  MAY  CHANGE  TUEIK  VOTK.S  HEEOEE  THE  KKSULT 

IS    ANNOUXCED. 

By  consent  of  the  Assembly,  the  nile  was  suspended,  to  give 
place  to  the  unfinished  business  of  last  evening,  which  was,  to 
announce  the  result  of  taking  the  yeas  and  nays  on  the  reference 
of  the  Special  Committee  on  the  Memorial  from  Indiana  Pres- 
b^'tery,  pending  which  announcement,  three  brethren,  P.  G.  Ilea, 
J.  Lf.  Payne,  and  William  Kerr,  were  permitted  to  change  their 
vote  from  the  affirmative  to  the  negative,  which  result  was  then 
announced  by  the  Moderator. — 186-1,  ]).  12G. 

5.  Advisory  members  in  the  General  Assembly. 

Whereas,  Eev.  David  Lowry,  of  Minnesota,  and  Kev.  Hiram 
Douglass,  of  Georgia,  aged  and  experienced  minister*  of  our 
Church,  are  in  attendance  on  the  meeting  of  the  Assembly,  and 
this  body  appreciating  age  and  experience;  therefore. 

Resolved,  That  we  cordially  invite  said  brethren  to  sit  and  de- 
liberate, as  members,  except  voting.     Adopted. — 1864,  p.  108. 

[XoTE. — This  was  under  the  Old  Book,  and  is  contrary  to  the 
'■'Revised"'  Government  of  the  Church.  See  General  Eegulations, 
Section  0.— J.  V.  S.] 

6.  A  quorum  of  the  General  Assembly. 

CoxsTiTtTiox,  Sectiox  42. — Any  twenty  or  more  of  these  com- 
missioners, at  least  ten  of  whom  shall  be  ministers,  being  met  on 
the  day  and  at  the  place  ap])ointed,  shall  be  a  quorum  for  the 
transaction  of  business. 

7.  The  Assembly  must  meet   as  often  as  once  in  two 

years. 

Constitution,  Section  41. — The  General  Assembly  shall  meet 
as  often  as  once  every  two  years,  at  such  time  and  place  as  may 
have  been  determined  at  its  ])receding  meeting. 


186  PART  //'.,  CHURCH  COURTS. 

It  was  lawful  under  the  Old  liouk,  and  is  also  under  the 
New,  to  hold  biennial  sessions;  but,  excepting  in  183'J  and  1844, 
the  General  Assembly  has  met  annually  since  its  organization  in 
1829.  Several  unsuccessful  attempts  have  been  made  to  change 
from  annual  to  biennial  sessu)ns. 

The  following  resolution  was  lead  and    laid  on  the  table: 
Eesoli-ed,  That   the  General   Assembly   shall    meet    biennially. — 
1835.  p.  250,  MSS. 

The  memorial  from  the  Nashville  Preshytery,  referred  to  your 
Committee,  favoring  biennial  instead  of  annual  meetings  of  the 
General  Assembly,  has  been  before  us.  but  we  would  recommend 
that  the  petition  of  the  memorialists  be  not  granted.  Adopted. 
— 18T5.  ]..  23. 

We  have  before  us  a  petition  from  the  Pennsylvania  Presby- 
tery, praying  that  when  you  adjourn  it  be  to  meet  at  the  usual 
time,  in  the  year  189(1,  and  that  you  take  steps  to  make  the 
meetings  of  tlie  General  Assembly  biennial.  We  recommend  that 
the  ])etition  be  not  granted.     x\dopted. — 1894.  p.  18. 

We  would  recommend  that  the  petition  from  the  Pennsylvania 
Presbytery,  asking  that  the  General  Assembly  adopt  biennial  ses- 
sions, instead  of  annual  sessions  as  heretofore,  be  not  granted. 
•Adopted.— 1895,  p.  43. 

The  General  Assembly  in  1897  (Minutes,  ]).  63).  appointed  a 
committee  "to  draft  a  plan  for  raising  a  commissioner's  fun." 
This  Committee  favored  biennial  sessions  of  the  Assembly.  Its 
report  on  this  point,  which  was  referred  to  the  Committee  on 
Ways  and  Means,  is  as  follows: 

The  Constitution  of  our  Church  seems  to  f(u-eshadow  that  tinu> 
and  develo]unent  may  establish  the  propriety  of  biennial  sessions 
of  our  General  Assembly 

Possessing  now'  the  legislation  of  almost  a  century,  with  thor- 
oughly equipped  and  competent  Boards  and  Committees  watching 
and  directing  all  interests  and  enterprises  of  the  Church,  we  be- 
lieve the  "fullness  of  time"  demands  the  change. 

Thereby  better  and  more  uniform  representation  will  Ijc  secured; 


THE  CEAERAL  ASSEMBLY.  I87 

legislation  siniplilied  and  nuuiniizetl;  useless  and  embarrassing 
changes  avoideil,  and  well-nigh  hail'  ul  the  present  Assembly  ex- 
penses saved. 

We  unanimously  favor  biennial  sessions  of  our  Assembly,  and 
suggest  that  the  next  meeting  be  held  in  1!)00,  A.D.,  and  that  the 
regidar  sessions  be  held  every  two  years  thereafter. — 1898,  p.  28. 

The  Committee  on  Ways  and  Cleans  nuide  a  report  on  the  fore- 
going as  follows,  which  was  adojited: 

Your  Committee  are  of  the  opinion  that  inasmuch  as  the  As- 
sembly may  at  each  meeting  iix  the  time  for  its  next  meeting, 
provided  such  meeting  be  within  the  constitutional  period  of  two 
years  from  adjournment,  it  would  not  be  wise  to  attempt  further 
legislation  on  this  subject.  Further,  your  Committee  fear  that 
biennial  meetings  would  result  in  a  want  of  proper  growth  in  the 
various  enterprises  of  the  Church;  that  the  fires  upon  the  altars 
would  soon  burn  low;  that  much  needed  care  and  watchfidness 
would  be  lost.  and.  indeed,  we  fear  that  the  retrograde  movement 
along  these  lines  woiild  prove  a  loss  greater  than  coukl  be  com- 
pensated for  b}'  the  amount  of  money  saved.  Your  Committee 
therefore  recommend  that  there  be  no  further  legislation,  at  least 
for  the  ])resent.  upon  this  subject. — 1898,  p.  78. 

8.  Provision  for  failure  to  meet  at  the  appointed  time. 

Constitution,  Section  -14. — If.  for  any  cause,  the  General  As- 
sembly shall  fail  to  meet  at  the  time  and  place  to  which  it  stands 
adjourned,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  [Moderator,  or,  in  case  of 
his  absence,  death,  or  inability  to  act,  the  Stated  Clerk,  to  call  a 
meeting  as  early  as  practicable,  at  such  place  as  he  may  designate, 
for  the  transaction  of  the  regidar  business;  and  for  this  purpose 
a  circular  letter  shall  be  sent  to  the  Stated  Clerks  of  the  Presby- 
teries, not  less  than  sixty  days  before  the  proposed  time  for  the 
meeting. 

In  case  of  the  death,  absence,  or  inability  to  act  of  both  the 
Moderator  and  Stated  Clerk,  such  meeting  may,  in  like  manner, 
be  called  by  the  commissioners,  or  one  or  more  of  them,  from 
any  five  of  the  Presbyteries. 


188  PART  n.,  CHURCH  COURTS. 

9.  To  lengthen  the  time  of  the  sessions. 

Tlic  following  was  adopted: 

\\]u'vi'(\>^.  The  work  necessaiT  to  l)e  done  by  the  Ueneral  As- 
senihly  has  l)eeonie  greatly  enlarged.  re(|uiring  much  more  time 
for  the  proper  consideration  of  the  interests  of  the  Church  coming 
befoi'e  it  than  was  necessary  in  former  years;  therefore, 

L'csolrccl,  That  this  Genei'al  Assembly  is  of  the  opinion  that 
the  length  of  lime  usually  occupied  by  its  proceedings  should  be 
considerably  lengthened;  also,  that  the  Presbyteries  in  electing 
conmiissionei-s  to  the  next  General  Assembly  should  take  this 
deliverance  into  account,  and  only  such  should  be  sent  to  the 
General  Assembly  as  will  Ite  willing  to  remain  over  a  second  Sab- 
bath, if  necessary,  and  until  the  business  of  the  General  Assem- 
bly shall  be  fully  completed;  also,  that  the  Presbyteries  be  en- 
joined to  recjuire  a  strict  account  of  commissioners  in  the  matter 
of  remaining  till  the  close  of  the  General  Assembly's  proceedings. 
1889,  ])]).  36,  37. 

JO.  The  Moderator  of  the  General  Assembly. 

[Note. — See  Part  W.,  Section  1,  "^lodei'ators  of  ("luu-ch 
courts/'  p.  101.] 

(1)  The  Modekatok  appoixts  the  Staxdixc;  Committees. 

'I'hc  Judiciary  Committee  have  considered  the  resolutions  offered 
by  liev.  B.  D.  Cockrill,  wherein  it  is  pro])osed  that  the  appoint- 
ing of  Standing  Committees  at  the  opening  of  each  session  of 
the  General  Assembly  be  taken  out  of  the  hands  of  the  Moderator, 
and  be  intrusted  to  a  committee  of  five  members  to  be  appointed 
by  the  Moderator,  etc. 

This  Committee  respectfidly  suggest  that  they  are  not  able  to 
see  any  sufficient  reasons  for  altering  the  present  law  of  the 
(*hurcli  in  this  regard,  and  therefore  recommend  the  rejection  of 
the  said  resolutions.     Adopted. —  1S9U,  p.  18. 


THE  GENERA!.  ASSEMBLY.  189 

(2)  In  case  of  the  death  of  the  Stated  Clerk,  the  Mod- 

erator  MAY   appoint   a    PRO   TEMPORE    ClERK. 

[Note. — See  (2)  unclei'  Section  1 1 ,  below,  "Tlie  ]\Ioderator  ap- 
points a  Stated  Clerk,  pro  teni.'"] 

(3)  The  names  of  the  Moderators  of  the  General  As8emp.ly. 

[Note. — For  the  list  of  the  names  of  the  Moderators  of  the 
General  Assembly,  see  Part  IV.,  Section  2,  "First  meeting  of  the 
Assembly,"  p.  182.] 

U.  The  Stated  Clerk  of  the  Assembly. 

[Note. — See  Part  W .,  Section  2,  "Clerks  of  Church  courts," 
p.  102.] 

(1)  List  of  Stated  Clerks. 

(a)  Eev.  F.  R.  Cossitt,  D.D.,  was  elected  in  1829  (p.  IG,  MSS.), 
and  resigned  in  1834. 

Q))  Rev.  James  Smiih,  was  chosen  in  1834  (]).  242,  MSS.),  and 
ceased  to  act  in  1841. 

(c)  Rev.  C.  G.  McPhcrson  was  elected  in  1S41  (p.  H(iO,  MSS.), 
and  resigned  in  1850. 

(d)  Rev.  Milton  Bird,  D.D.,  was  chosen  in  1850  (p.  16),  and 
died  July  26,  1871  (Minutes,  1872,  p.  104).  Rev.  F.  B.  Cris- 
man,  the  Permanent  Fngrossing  Clerk,  assumed  the  dnties  of 
Stated  Clerk  (1872,  p.  104),  and  discharged  them  until  the 
next  meeting  of  the  Assembly,  to  the  satisfaction  of  that  body 
(1872,  p.  31). 

[Note. — For  the  office  and  duties  of  Permanent  Fngrossing 
Clerk,  see  below,  Part  IV,  Section  13.] 

(e)  Ruling  Elder  John  Frizzcll  was  elected  in  1872  (p.  31),  and 
resigned  in  1883  (p.  27). 

(/)  Rev.  T.  C.  Blake,  D.D.,  was  chosen  in  1883  (p.  27),  and  died 
Feb.  9,  1896  (p.  4).  The  Moderator,  Rev.  M.  B.  DeWitt,  D.D., 
called  upon  Rtv.  J.  M.  Hubbert,  who  had  been  the  First  Assistant 
Clerk  for  twenty-four  years,  to  assume  the  duties  of  Stated  Clerk 


190  PART  I \.,  CHURCH  COURTS. 

luitil  iho  nieetiiig  the  Assembly  (189G,  i)p.  3,  4).  The  Assembly 
expressed  "its  heai'ty  aiipi'uval  (jf  the  course  ])ui'sued  hy  the  Mod- 
erator/' and  "its  appreciation  of  the  valuabk-  services  ivndered  iu 
behalf  of  this  l)ody.  and  of  the  Cumberland  i^-esl)yterian  Chureli 
at  large,  1)y  the  Kev.  J.  51.  llul)berl."     (j).  !).) 

{(j)  llvv.  J.  M.  llubberl,  DJ).,  was  elected  in  l.S5)(i  (p.  10),  and 
continues  to  serve  at  this  time,  1899. 

(2)  The  ]\Ioi)K1jatok  appoints  a   Staikd  Ci.kkk.   imjo  tkmpoue. 

To  the  (Jeneral  Assembly  of  the  ( 'uinhei'laud  I'ri'sliyteiian  Cliurch, 

in  session  at  Birmingham,  Ala.: 

Dear  Ukktiikex:  As  ^loderaior  oi'  ymir  venerable  body.  1  sub- 
mit the  rollowing  for  youi-  consideration  and  appi'oval.  \n  Feb- 
ruary last.  IJev.  T.  ('.  IMake.  D.D.,  the  Stated  Clerk  of  the  General 
Assejiibly,  was  called  aw;iy  from  eajlh  by  death,  and  it  became  nec- 
essaj'V  to  take  steps  to  su])])ly  his  place,  until  the  Assembly  should 
meet  and  elect  his  successor.  Ipon  consultation  as  to  the  proper 
mode  of  ]»roeeeding,  it  was  thought  best  for  nu'  to  issue  a  public 
call  u])on  IJev.  J.  51.  llubbert  to  enter  at  once  upon  the  temporary 
discharge  of  the  functions  of  the  Stated  Clerk's  office,  and  prepare 
for  the  ])i'esent  meeting  of  your  venerable  body.  Uelieviug  that 
this  coui'st'  was  the  very  best  that  c(udd  l)e  taken  to  meet  the  emer- 
gency. 1  issued  the  call,  which  was  ])ublished  in  77/e  C nmberlaiid 
Fredji/fcrinii  and  in  the  *S7.  Louis  Observer  of  February  27,  1896. 
That  call  was  as  follows:  / 

To  the  Presbyteries,  in  ])articnlar.  and  to  the  Cumberland  Pres- 
byte]-ian  Church,  in  general:  Dear  JJi'ethren — As  the  "General 
Peg'siations"  iu  our  Confession  of  Faith,  wherein  llu'  duties  of 
5Iodej'ators  and  Stated  Clei'ks  aie  di'fiued.  make  mi  jirovision  for 
jjroeedure  iu  ca<e  of  the  death  of  the  Stated  Clei'k  of  any  Church 
court  d;irJng  the  inlei'im  of  the  regular  meetings  of  such  court, 
and  as  T.  C.  Plake.  D.l)..  the  honored  and  beloved  Stated  Clerk  of 
the  General  Assembly  of  our  Church,  has  been  called  to  his  reward 
in  heaven,  i  deem  it  jti'oper  to  make  the  following  announcement 
and  ixupiest.  viz.:  Pev.  J.  51.  Hul)bert,  of  Lebanon,  Tenn..  has  been 
First  Assistant  Clerk  of  the  General  A.ependily  for  the  past  twenty- 
four  years,  seiviug  with  great  efficiency  and  acceptance  under  Dr. 


THE  CilNERAL  ASSE3IBLY.  191 

E.  ]).  Crisman,  Judge  John  Frizzell  and  Dr.  T.  C.  Blake  as  Stated 
Clerks.  His  prepaiatiun  I'ur  immediately  assuming  the  position  of 
Staled  Clerk,  [no  ieiitpure,  will  be  recognized  by  all  concerned,  and 
will  give  assurance  that  all  necessaiy  steps  will  be  taken  to  enable 
the  General  Assembly  to  cntei'  u])on  its  duties  at  its  next  regular 
meeting,  in  Birmingham,  Ala.,  without  embarrassment.  In  addi- 
tion to  the  above,  it  is  proper  tt)  say  that  the  family  of  our  departed 
])r.  Blake  lias  given  me  written  assurance  of  its  ap])roval  of  the 
course  1  am  now  pursuing  in  view  of  the  emergency,  and  I  hereby, 
as  Moderator  of  the  (jenei'al  Assembly  of  the  Cumberland  Presby- 
terian Chui-eh.  re(piest  IJev.  ,1.  M.  IIul)bert  to  enter  at  onci.'  u|)on 
the  duty  which  devolves  upon  the  Stated  Clerk  of  the  Asseml)ly, 
and  that  he  proceed  to  prepare  fully  for  the  coming  meeting  of 
that  venerable  body. 

I  re([uest  all  Stated  Clerks  of  Presbyteries,  and  all  other  ])ersons 
having  any  business  to  be  presented  to  the  General  Assembly,  to 
comnmnicate  with  Bev.  J.  ^M.  Ilubbei't.  at  Lebanon.  'I'eiin..  and 
that  all  care  l)e  taken  to  assist  him  in  the  important  work  he  is 
re(piested  to  do.  ^1.  B.  DkWitt, 

M (idem fur  nf  l/w  Gc'iicrdl  Assciiihh/. 
Spring-held,  Mo.,  February  K.  180(i. 

Bev.  J.  M.  IIubl)eit  immediately  accejited  the  responsible  office 
to  which  he  was  thus  called,  and  has  made  due  ])reparation  for  this 
meeting,  as  became  the  Stated  Clerk  of  the  Assembly. 

:\I.  P>.  DeWitt,  Moderator. — ISlXi.  ])p.  3.  4. 

The  following  (-ommunicalion  was  theii  read  to  the  (it'ueral   As- 
semhly : — 
To  the  Genera]  Assembly  of  tbe  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Cbui'ch, 

B>irniingliam.    Alabama.    .May,    ISfXi: 

Dear  ]5i;ktiii;i:x:  .\fter  the  death  of  yonr  ellicieiit.  venerable, 
and  honored  Stated  Clerk.  Rev.  T.  C.  Blake,  D.D..  which  occurred 
on  February  !».  lSJ)(i.  conceniing  wbich  mournfid  event  announce- 
ment has  already  been  otlicially  brought  to  yonr  notice,  yonr  ^Mod- 
erator.  Eev.  :\r.  B.  DeWitt.  D.D.,  and  Dr.  B.lake's  family  requested 
that  T,  as  Dr.  Blake's  Assistant  Clerk,  should  nssmne  the  office  and 
perform  its  dnties  nntil  the  meeting  of  yonr  Eeverend  Body,  and 
I  have  done  so  to  the  best  of  my  ability.     The  records,  papers,  and 


192  PART  I \'.,   CHURCH  cor RTS. 

other  effects  ])ertaining  to  tlie  otiice  I  now  lir.ve  in  cliarge,  subject 
to  your  directions. 

I  Ijeg  leave  to  state  that  I  voluntarily  proposed  to  Dr.  Blake's 
family  that  my  services  in  this  capacity  should  be  rendered  wdthout 
compensation,  and  I  asked  that  I  should  be  permitted  to  petition 
your  Reverend  Body  that  Dr.  Blake's  full  salary  shall  continue,  and 
be  paid  to  his  widow,  from  the  time  of  his  death  until  the  end  of 
the  Asseml)ly's  fiscal  year,  April  30,  1890 ;  and  I  do  hereby  earn- 
estly make  that  request. 

Praying  the  blessing  of  God  ui)on  your  delilx'ratious,  I  am 

Yoiir  hunil)le  servant, 

J.   ^r.    UlBBERT, 

Ad'wKj  Staled  T'/rrZ'.— 1S!»(),  ])p.  4,  5. 

Elder  H.  II.  Buquo  then  offered  the  following  pajier,  which 
was  adopted: 

1.  It  is  with  profound  sorrow  that  this  Assembly  has  received 
the  announcement  of  the  death  of  its  revered  Stated  Clerk,  the 
Rev.  T.  C.  Blake,  D.D. 

2.  The  Assembly  hereby  ex])resses  its  hearty  approval  of  the 
course  pursued  by  the  Moderator  in  requesting  the  Rev.  J.  M. 
Hubbert,  Dr.  Blake's  Assistant  Clerk,  to  assume  the  duties  of  the 
office. 

3.  The  Assembly  also  expresses  its  appreciation  of  the  valuable 
services  rendered  in  behalf  of  this  body  and  of  the  Cumberland 
Presbyterian  Church  at  large  by  the  Rev.  J.  ^I.  Ilubbert,  who  has 
so  satisfactorily  discharged  the  duties  of  the  office  of  Stated  Clerk 
since  the  death  of  Dr.  Blake,  and  we  record  our  hearty  thanks  for 
these  generous  and  faithful  services,  and  Mr.  Hubbert  is  hereby 
requested  to  continue  to  discharge  the  duties  of  this  office  imtil  the 
Assembly  shall   fill  the  vacancy. 

4.  Since  it  is  Mr.  Hubbert's  ])roposition  and  request  that  his 
services  in  this  capacity  shall  be  accepted  without  compensation, 
in  order  that  the  salary  of  the  office  may  be  continued  to  Dr. 
Blake's  wife  from  the  time  of  his  death  to  the  close  of  the  Assem- 
bly's fiscal  year,  therefore,  resolved,  that  the  x4.ssembly's  Treasurer 
is  hereby  directed  to  pay  to  Dr.  Blake's  widow  any  balance  due  on 
salary  from  the  time  of  Dr.  Blake's  death,  February  9,  to  May  1, 


THE  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY.  193 

189(),  and  the  thanks  of  the  Assembly  are  tendered  Mr.  Hubhert 
for  this  generous  gift  to  Mrs.  Bhd-ce. 

5.  The  Moderator  shall  appoint  a  committee  of  two  to  prepare 
a  suitable  minute  for  the  records  of  this  Assembly  regarding  the 
death  of  Dr.  Blake,  the  Assembly's  Stated  Clerk.— 1896,  p.  9. 

The  following  resolution,  offered  by  Kev.  M.  B.  DeWitt,  was 
adopted : 

Resolved,  That  Kev.  D.  M.  Harris,  Kev.  J.  M.  liubljert,  and 
Rev.  B.  P.  Fullerton,  be  appointed  a  Committee  to  consider  what 
course  should  be  taken  in  case  of  the  death  of  the  Stated  Clerk 
of  any  Church  court,  in  the  interim  of  meetings;  and  make  a 
report  to  the  Assembly  at  its  next  meeting. — 189G.  p.  63. 

The  Committee  ai)i)ointed  at  last  Assembly  to  draft  a  rule  of 
procedure,  in  case  of  the  death  of  the  Stated  Clerk  of  any  judicatory 
in  the  interim  between  meetings,  reported  as  follows,  and  the 
report  was  adopted: 

Your  Committee  a})pointed  to  consider  what  course  should  be 
taken  in  case  of  the  death  of  a  Stated  Clerk  of  any  Church  court 
in  the  interims  of  meetings,  recommend  that  in  all  such  cases 
the  Moderator  of  the  court  shall  have  power  to  name  a  pro  tempore 
Clerk,  who  shall  take  charge  of  the  books  and  pa})ers  of  the 
deceased  Clerk,  and  discharge  all  the  duties  and  obligations  of  a 
regularly  elected  Stated  Clerk  until  the  court  concerned  shall 
fill  the  vacancy.  ,  D.  M.  Hakrfs, 

J.    M.    HUBBEET, 

B.    P.    Fullerton. 

—1897,  p.  75. 

(3)  The  duties  of  the  Stated  Clerk. 

Resolved,  That  it  is  the  duty  of  the  Stated  Clerk  to  be  present 
at  each  meeting  of  the  General  Assembly,  to  give  transcripts  from 
the  records  of  the  Church,  and  make  such  explanations,  and  fur- 
nish such  matter,  as  may  be  necessary^  for  the  action  of  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly,  and  that  he  be  permitted  to  take  part  in  debates 
in  all  matters  in  relation  to  the  duties  of  his  office.  Adopted, 
—1837,  pp.  295,  296,  MSS. 
13 


194  PART  IV.,  CHURCH  COURTS. 

Tlic  Committee  appointed  to  (leiine  the  thities  of  the  Stated 
Clerk  of  the  General  Assenihly  recomiiK'nd  the  follo\vin»r  ad- 
ditional duties: 

1st.  It  shall  he  his  cinty  to  fiii'nish  all  the  stationei'v  for  the 
use  of  the  General  x\ssemhly. 

2nd.  lie  shall  furnish  a  docket  uf  the  husiiirss  for  the  action 
of  the  General  Asscmhly.  as  taken  fioiii  the  ]\liiHitcs  of  the  same, 
and  such  other  husiness  as  may  he  forwai'ded  to  him  fi'om  time 
to  time. 

3rd.  lie  shall  transcrihe  for  the  press,  such  parts  as  may  l)e 
necessary  of  the  ^linutes,  to  he  puhlished  from  year  to  year; 
he  shall  coi'rect  the  ])roof  and  superintend  the  printinu'  of  all 
]\Iinutes  and  pa])ers  uliicli  sliall  l)e  ordered  to  he  printed  l)y  the 
(ieneral  Asseml)ly. 

lie  shall  send  one  copy  to  each  oidaiiu'd  minister  in  llie  Cum- 
hei'hmd  Preshvterian  Church  of  whose  achli'css  he  may  l)e  informed, 
and  to  anv  other  person  or  jiersons  that  the  General  Asseml)ly 
may  desi<inate. 

4th.  He  shall  copy  the  original  l\linutes  at  each  session. 

.Jtli.  He  shall  liave  charge  of  all  the  liooks  ami  pajx'rs  of  the 
(}enei'al  Asseml)ly.  and  shall  cause  the  ^linutes  to  he  transcribed 
into  a  l)ook  or  hooks  ])rovided   for  the   puri)ose. 

(ilh.  He  shall  make  extracts,  fi-om  the  recoi'ds  of  the  house,  in 
a  fail"  hand,  of  the  ndes  foi-  conduct in,a'  the  husiness  thereof, 
and  at  every  staled  mt'cting  have  it  e.\])osed  in  a  puhhc  ]iart  of 
the  house,  that  all  the  mend)ei's  may  have  access  to  it  for  in- 
formation.    Adojtted. — 18uT.  [ip.  .jOy-.jlO.  ^ISS. 

[A'oTi:. — 'l"lu'  sixth  item  was  rc]>eak'd  in  fS4  7.  MSS.  Minutes 
1847.  }).  :.(;i. — I.  V.  8.] 

Tlie  following  re]wrt  was  adopted: 

The  Committee  to  whom  were  referred  the  i-esolutions  touching 
the  duties  of  the  Stated  Clerk.  resiK'ctfully  recounnend  the  adop- 
tion of  the  following: 

Jit'i<o]ve(L  That  it  he  mack-  the  duty  of  our  lioaid  of  Foreign 
and  Homestic  Missions,  also  our  Boaid  of  I'uhlication.  and  all 
other  r)()ai'ds  which  may  hereafter  ])v  created,  to  ti'ansmit  such 
re))orts.  through   the  Slated   Clerk,  and   that  such   re]torts  he  for- 


THF.   (;j:X/:k\iL  assembly.  196 

^var(^e{l  in  siuh  tiiiu'  ;is  will  enable  llu"  Clerk  to  meet  the  require- 
ments hereinafter  sjiecified.  ..     .■•,,,.  —-^'^ "    — ^    ffi 

BvAn]fVi].  Tliat  it  he  made  the  duty  of  the  Stated  Clerk,  by 
oonx'sjioiideni-e  and  hy  all  otlier  means  of  information  which  he 
mav  deem  advisable,  to  ])rocnre  and  transmit  to  the  Asseml)ly,  by 
mc<ins  hereafter  si)eeified.  reliable  information  of  the  condition 
of  our  literai'V  and  other  institutions,  colleges,  synudical  and  ])res- 
])yterial  scliools,  etc.,  giving,  in  l)rief.  tlie  amount  of  patronage, 
the  number  of  young  men  ijrenaring  for  the  ministry,  the  Pres- 
l)yteries  from  which  they  come,  the  course  of  study  they  are  l)Ur- 
suing,  whether  regular  or  iri'egular.  the  means  by  which  their 
e.\])enses  are  defrayed,  whether  by  their  own  resources,  or  hy  public 
or  individual  munificence.  Also,  liy  means  of  correspondence  with 
the  Stated  Clerks  of  Presbyteries,  or  otherwise,  to  procure  and 
transmit  to  the  Asseml)ly  a  statement  of  what  the  several  Pres- 
lu'terii's  are  doing'  on  the  subjects  of  general  education,  missions 
and  Sabbath-school  instruction.  * 

Besohrd.  That  it  be  made  the  duty  of  Synods  and  Presbyteries, 
church  Sessions,  and  individuals,  in  praying  and  granting  appeals, 
in  offering  memorials,  references,  etc.,  to  the  Assembly,  to  forward 
such  appeals,  memorials,  etc.,  to  the  Stated  Clerk,  in  such  time 
as  to  enable  him  regfularly  to  table  and  present  them  before  the 
Assend)ly. 

Resolved,  furlher.  That  the  Clerk  shall  avail  himself  of  all 
practicable  means  to  perfect  our  statistics,  and  give  in  his  annual 
re))ort  a  tabular  exhibit  of  oui-  nunieiiral  strength. 

liesolred.  That  the  Stated  Clei'k  l)e  retpiired  to  collate  all  such 
reports  and  items  of  statistical  information  as  are  indicated  abc7ve, 
and  pultlisli  iliem.  for  tlie  use  of  the  Assendily.  immediatelv  i)re- 
ceding  its  I'egular  meetings. 

llexidrcd.  Tliat  it  be  the  duty  of  the  Staled  Clerk,  in  transcrib- 
ing' the  ^Minutes  of  the  Assembly,  to  indii-ate  l)y  marginal  notes 
the  contents  of  each  ])age.  in  such  manner  that  these  marginal 
notes  shall  constitute  a  faithful  index  of  contents  of  the  whole 
book.— 18.")().  p.  31. 

Pesides  the  duties  devolving  u]>on  the  Stated  Clerk  b"  the  Form 
of  (iovernment.  it  shall  be  his  duty  to  i)erf()rm  the  work  of 
Clerk  during  the  meetings  of  the  Ceneral  Assend)lv.  and  for  this 


196  PART  IV.,  CHURCH  COURTS. 

purpose  he  may  appoint  such  temporary  Clerks  as  may  be  neces- 
sary. He  shall  furnish  Stated  Clerks  of  Presbyteries  such  forms 
for  statistical  reports  as  may  from  time  to  time  be  prescribed, 
and  shall  collect  and  pay  over  to  the  Treasurer  such  assessments 
for  contingent  fund  as  may  from  time  to  time  be  ordered  by  the 
General  Assembly.    Adopted. — 18T2,  p.  ol, 

^^■]ler^as,  It  is  very  important  that  the  true  statistics  of  the 
Church  should  be  obtained,  and  whereas  this  work  cannot  be 
accomplished  unless  the  Stated  Clerks  of  Presbyteries  and  the 
Clerks  of  church  Sessions  will  do  their  whole  duty;  therefore, 

Besolved,  1.  That  it  shall  be  made  the  imperative  duty  of  the 
Stated  Clerk  of  the  General  Assembly  to  report  to  the  Presby- 
teries interested,  those  Stated  Clerks  who  fail  to  do  their  duty, 
and  that  the  Presbyteries  be  requested  to  remove  these  incthcient 
Stated  Clerks,  and  to  a})point  others  who  will  do  their  duty. 

2.  That  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Stated  Clerks  of  Presby- 
teries to  report  to  the  Presbyteries  the  names  of  the  Clerks  of 
church  Sessions  who  fail  to  discharge  their  obligations  in  this  par- 
ticular, and  that  the  Presbyteries  be  directed  to  urge  upon  church 
Sessions  the  removal  of  iuefhciont  Clerks  of  Sessions,  and  the 
appointment  of  faitbful  ones  in  their  stead.  Adopted — 1889,  p. 
53. 

The  Committee  on  Overtures  have  had  under  advisement  the 
memorial  from  McGee  Presbytery,  asking  the  General  Assembly 
to  abrogate  the  deliverance  of  1889,  requiring  the  Stated  Clerk 
of  the  General  Assembly  to  report  to  their  respective  Presbyteries 
the  names  of  the  Stated  Clerks  thereof  who  fail  to  perform  their 
duties  faithfidly;  and  a  like  duty  on  the  part  of  Stated  Clerks 
of  Presbyteries  regarding  ineihcient  Clerks  of  Sessions. 

We  find  no  reason  for  disturbing  the  previous  deliverance  of  the 
General  Assembly  upon  this  subject,  and  we  recommend  that  the 
prayer  of  the  memorial  be  not  granted.     Adopted. — 1891,  p.  15. 

On  account  of  the  neglect  or  inefhciency  of  many  Clerks  of 
Sessions  and  of  Stated  Clerks  of  Presbyteries,  it  has  been  impos- 
sible for  the  Stated  Clerk  of  the  Assembly  to  gather  full  and 
correct    statistics    and    information    from    the    Presbyteries    and 


THE  GENERAL  ASSEMBL  Y.  197 

churches.  We  recommend  that  after  the  Stated  Clerk  of  the  As- 
sembly has  made  diligent  efforts  to  secure  satisfactory  reports 
from  the  Stated  Clerk  of  any  Presbytery,  without  success,  he 
shall  rej^ort  the  same  to  the  Presbytery,  and  ask  it  to  remove  the 
delinquent  Clerk  and  elect  one  who  will  perform  the  duties  of 
the  office.  This  action  shall  also  apply  to  Stated  Clerks  of  Synods 
that  are  delinquent  in  discharging  the  duties  of  their  office.  Also, 
that  you  advise  similar  action  upon  the  part  of  the  Stated  Clerk 
of  the  Presbytery  in  reference  to  delinquent  sessional  Clerks. 
Adopted.— 1898,  p.  51. 

{a)  It  is  the  Stated  ClcrVs  duty  to  print  and  distribute  the 
Minutes. 

Resolved,  That  the  Stated  Clerk  be  requested  to  withhold  the 
gratuitous  distribution  of  the  Minutes  from  the  bounds  of  any 
delinquent  Presbyteries.      Adopted. — 1860.   p.    38. 

The  following  resolutions  were  adopted: 

Resolved,  That  the  Stated  Clerk  be  instructed  that  in  distribut- 
ing the  Minutes  of  the  Assembly,  he  shall  mail  to  the  members 
of  no  Presbytery  which  is  delinquent. 

Resolved,  That  the  Stated  Clerk  be  instructed  to  publish  at 
least  three  thousand  copies  of  the  Minutes  of  every  Asseml)ly  for 
gratuitous  distribution.  First  to  the  ordained  preachers,  licen- 
tiates, and  candidates,  and  then  to  such  elders,  deacons,  and 
other  prominent  mend)ers  of  the  Church  as  may  furnish  their 
addresses.— 1870,  p.  3-4. 

The  Stated  Clerk  shall  have  printed,  for  gratuitous  distribution, 
four  thousand  copies  of  the  Minutes  of  each  General  Assembly; 
to  be  distributed,  to  the  ordained  ministers,  licentiates  and  can- 
didates; to  the  Clerks  of  church  Sessions,  and  to  the  bodies  of 
Christians  with  which  the  General  Assembly  is,  or  may  he  in 
correspondence. 

The  Stated  Clerk  will  not  distribute  Minutes  to  those  in  the 
bounds  of  a  Presbyteiy  which  may  be  indebted  on  account  of 
contingent  tax  to  the  General  Assembly,  but  ministers,  licentiates. 


198  PART  IV.,  CHURCH  COURTS. 

candidates  and  Clerks  of  Sessions  in  such  Presbyteries  may  be 
allowed  to  purchase  the  Minutes  at  tifty  cents  per  copy.  Adopted. 
—18:3,  p.  34. 

We  recommend  that  the  IMinntes  of  the  Cleneral  Asseml^ly  be 
sent,  free  of  charge,  to  ordained  ministers,  licentiates.  Stated  Clerks 
of  Synods  and  Presbyteries  who  are  not  ininisters.  Clerks  of  Ses- 
sions, Boards  of  the  Church,  the  various  Schools  of  the  Church, 
and  to  such  "exchanges"  as  your  Stated  Clerk  may  elect;  also 
that  your  Stated  Clerk  kec])  the  Minutes  on  sale,  in  pamphlet  form, 
at  tifty  cents  a  copy.  ])()stpaid.  and  in  cloth  binding  at  seventy- 
five  cents  a  copy.     Ado})ted. — 189^.  ^^.  4G. 

The  follo^nng  was  concurred  in: 

Heretofore  it  has  been  the  ordei-  of  the  Assembly,  that  the  Stated 
Clerk  should  not  send  the  Minutes  to  the  ministers  and  Clerks  of 
Sessions  of  any  Presbytery,  until  their  contingent  tax  is  paid  in 
full.  We  recomnu'iid  that  tliis  rule  or  order  i)e  rescinded,  and 
that  the  Alinutes  be  sent  to  all  those  entitled  thereto,  without  re- 
gard to  the  ])ayment  or  non-j)ayment  of  said  contingent  tax. 
It  is  of  the  greatest  imj)ortance  that  the  ^linutes  be  printed  at 
the  earliest  time  practical)le,  after  the  adjournment  of  the  As- 
sembly, and  that  every  minister  and  Clerk  should  be  informed, 
at  the  earliest  ])ossible  moment,  as  to  the  deliverances  of  the 
Assembly,  the  policy  of  the  Church,  and  all  the  proceedings  of 
the  supreme  judicatory,  and  thus  be  kept  in  touch  with  the  Chtirch 
as  it  is  to-day.  The  delay  or  failure  to  receive  the  Minutes 
catises  a  loss  of  interest  in  the  aft'airs  of  the  Church,  causes  lethargy 
and  carelessness,  and  the  Church  at  large  finally  suffers,  from  a 
penalty  imposed  on  those  whom  it  designs  to  jjunish  for  derelic- 
tion of  duty.  We  are  constrained  to  believe  that  it  will  be  wise 
for  the  Assembly  to  rely  u])on  the  honesty  and  integrity  of  the 
Presbyteries,  and  uj)on  their  sense  of  duty  and  loyalty  to  the 
Chitrch.  to  pay  this  tax,  rather  than  upon  a  |)enalty  to  enforce 
the  performance  of  their  duty,  the  penalty  im])osed  being  the 
withholding  of  that  official  information  as  to  the  operation  of  the 
Church,  so  much  needed  by  those  in  authority  and  having  charge 
of  the  congregations  and  to  whom  the  ])eople  in  a  large  meastire 
look  for  information  concerning  such  matters. — 1897,  p.  02. 


THF.   GENERAL  ASSEMBLY.  199 

{[))  li  is  the  dutij  of  the  Stated  Cterl-  to  emptoy  a  reporter. 

The  iollowiii*:-  resolutions  were  adopted: 

h'esolrecl.  Tliat  tlie  Stated  Clerk  of  the  General  Assembly  be 
insti'ucted  to  ein])lov  a  coni])etent  i'e])orter  to  attend  and  report 
the  pi'oeet'diniis.  in  full,  of  subseciuent  General  Assemblies,  and 
that  he  make  all  neeessaiv  arrangements  to  secure  ample  reports 
of  the  ])roceediniis  for  the  seeular  ])ress.  as  well  as  for  the  ])a])ers 
of  the  Ghurelu  and  that  the  ex])enses  of  the  same  be  i)aid  out  of 
the  eontin<ient  fund  of  the  Genei'al  Assend)ly. 

L'esotved,  That  no  re])orts  of  the  proceedings  of  the  (General  As- 
send)ly  be  permitted.  excei)t  such  as  may  Ije  reviewed  and  per- 
mitted by  the  Stated  Clerk. — 1S:4,  j).  33. 

The  following  ])aper.  offered  by  Kuling  Elder  Hamilton  Parks, 
was  ado])ted: 

Whe-reas.  All  the  meml)ers  of  this  General  Assem])ly  have  seen 
and  ai)i)reciated  the  great  convenience  and  assistance  rendered  this 
Assem))ly  by  the  printed  Pi-eliminary  Pamphlet,  prepared  by  llev. 
J.  M.  Hu1)bert,  Stated  Clerk,  containing  the  rejjorts  of  the  various 
boards,  and  a  summary  of  the  important  mattei's  that  would  come 
before  this  Assend)ly;  and, 

Whc-reas,  All  the  Committees  have  derived  much  benefit  from 
the  services  of  the  stenographer  and  typewriter  employed  for  their 
use  by  our  Stated  Clerk;  and, 

Whc-reas.  i\\  the  assistance  thus  furnished,  this  Assembly  has 
been  enabled  to  ti'ansact  its  business  in  a  more  satisfactory  and 
speedy  manner;  therefore  be  it 

Resulved,  That  we  indorse  and  commend  the  said  action  of  our 
Stated  Clerk, -and  recommend  that  he  continue  to  furnish  such  aid 
and  assistance  tt>  future  2Vssend)lies,  and  also  that  he  furnish  such 
othei-  assistance  as  he  may  deem  to  the  best  interest  of  the  General 
Assembly.— 1898,  p.  95. 

(r)  It  is  the  duty  of  the  Stated  Cterl-  to  conduct  the  correspondence 
with  other  ecctesinstical  bodies. 

On  motion,  it  was  ordered  that  hereafter  correspondence  between 
this  General  Assembly  and  other  ecclesiastical  bodies  be  conducted, 


200  PART  11'.,  CHURCH  COURTS. 

on  the  part  of  the  General  Assembly,  b}^  the  Stated  Clerk,  the 
Rev.  T.  C.  Blake,  and  his  Assistant,  the  Eev.  J.  M.  llubbert. — 
1884,  p.  34. 

(t/)  Lt  la  the  duly  of  the  Slated  Clerk  to  receive  and  receipt  for 
the  roidiiKjent  fund. 

The  Stated  Clerk  shall  eolleet  and  j^ay  over  to  the  Treasurer 
such  assessments  i'or  contingent  fund  as  niay  from  time  to  time 
be  ordered  by  the  Ceneral  Asseml)ly.     Adopted. — 18T2,  p.  31. 

The  rejiort  of  the  Committee  on  Finance  was  ado})ted,  and  is 
as  follows: 

Upon  a  consideration  of  the  resolution  offered  by  the  Kev.  \\. 
E.  Copeland,  referred  to  us,  incpiiring  whether  the  Stated  Clerk 
or  the  General  Assembly's  Treasurer  is  the  ])ro})er  officer  to  re- 
ceive and  receipt  for  the  General  Assembly's  contingent  fund, 
your  Committee  recommend  that  the  Stated  Clerk  receive  and 
receipt  for  said  fund,  and  turn  the  same  over  to  the  Trea.surer, 
taking  proper  vouchers  therefor,  so  that  the  respective  rejtorts  of 
said  officers  may  furnisli  a  check  upon  each  other. — 1880,  j).  45. 

The  following  was  adopted: 

We  reconmiend  that  you  direct  your  Stated  Clerk  to  pay  moneys 
received  on  contingent  tax  to  your  Treasurer  quarterly,  and  that 
your  Treasru'er  ])ay  all  l)illp  ])romptly  when  the  money  is  in  the 
treasury.— 1898,  p.  64. 

{e)  Tt  1.9  the  duty  of  the  Sliilrd  Cirri-  to  jirrforiii  the  duties  of 
Enyrossin g  C lerk. 

Besides  the  duties  devolving  upon  the  Stated  Clerk  by  the  Form 
of  Government,  it  shall  be  his  duty  to  perform  the  work  of  C!lerk, 
during  the  meetings  of  the  Assembly,  and  for  this  ])urpose  he  may 
appoint  such  temporary  clerks  as  may  be  necessary.— 1872,  p.  31. 

The  Stated  Clerk  shall,  in  addition  to  his  services  as  such,  per- 
form the  duties  of  Engrossing  Clerk,  during  the  meetings  of  the 
(Jcneral  Assemblies,  and  may  select  such  assistants  for  that  pur- 
pose as  he  may  see  proper. — 1873.  p.  34. 


THE  CEMikAL  ASSEMBLY.  201 

(/)  Dutie.'i  of  the  Stated  Clerk-   in   reference  to   traiisportntidii. 

The  following"  resolutiou  was  adoj^tcd:  Uesuhed,  That  here- 
after the  Stated  Clerk  of  the  General  As.seiid)ly  shall  have  the 
exclusive  control  of  arranging  with  all  lines  oT  transjjortation  lead- 
ing to  the  place  where  the  General  Assembly  may  he  holden, 
for  reduced  rates  to  members  anti  visitors,  and  that  no  one  else 
be  allowed  to  interfere  with  this  plan,  or  make  such  arrangements 
only  as  it  may  be  done  through  said  Stated  Clei'k. — 1881.  p.  39. 

The  following  was  adoj)ted:  Resolved,  That  arrangements  for 
reduced  rates  in  attending  the  General  Assembly  shall  hereafter 
not  be  restricted  to  our  Stated  Clerk. — 1882,  }).  34. 

(4)  The  Salary  of  the  Stated  1'eei{K. 

The  Committee  appointed  to  settle  a  salary  upon  the  duties  of 
the  ofhce  of  Stated  Clerk.  rej)ort  that,  after  examining  into  the 
various  duties  to  Ije  discharged  by  the  Stated  Clerk,  we  ai'e  of 
opinion  that  not  less  than  forty  dollars  per  annum  will  be  suf- 
ficient, exclusive  of  postage  on  all  communications  addressed  to 
him  as  Stated  Clerk.     Ado])ted.— 1S:5:.  pp.  310,  311,  MSS. 

Resolved,  That  the  law  allowing  the  Stated  Clerk  the  sum  of 
forty  dollars  annually  be  rei)ealtd,  and  that  he  be  allowed  for  his 
services  the  sum  of  one  hundred  dollars  annually,  also  the  ex- 
penses incident  to  the  office  of  Stated  Clerk.  Ado])ted. — -18.-)(). 
p.  31. 

The  Stated  Clerk's  salary  for  these  duties  (Stated  and  Engi-oss- 
ing  Clerk's  duties)  shall  ]je  three  bundled  dollars  per  anjinm, 
besides  incidental  aiul  traveling  ex])enses.     Adopted. — 1872,  ]).  31. 

[XoTE. — At  this  time  tbei-e  ^\•as  a  Permanent  fmgrossing  Clerk, 
Avho  was  also  cv-officio  Treasurer,  and  received  two  htindred  dollars 
per  annum.     Minutes,  1871,  }).  31. — J.  V.  S.] 

AVe  recommend  also,  that  he  [Stated  Clerk]  and  the  Treasurer, 
be  required  to  give  bond  large  enough  to  secure  all  the  money 
they  receive  for  the  contingent  fund,  said  bonds  to  be  made 
payable  to  tlie  Assembly's  Board  of  Trustees.  Adopted. — 1872, 
p.  31. 


302  PART  Il\,  CHURCH  COURTS. 

it  was  decided  that  the  Stated  Clerk  shall  be  allowed  three 
hundred  dollars  as  fompeiisatioii  for  his  services. — 187  3,   p.   34. 

We  note  that  the  salary  oi'  the  Stated  Clerk  is  tliree  hundred 
dollars,  which  we  believe  to  be  insutheient,  and  we  hereby  recom- 
mend that  it  be  increased,  tor  the  present,  to  live  huudred  dollars. 
Adopted. — 1884,  j).  3  k 

Your  Committee  are  ul'  the  opinion  that  the  labor  rc(piircd 
of  the  Stated  Clerk  is  very  considerable,  and  almost  constant, 
and  we  believe  it  to  be  such  as  to  justify  an  increase  of  his 
salary.  We  therefore  recommend  that  the  salary  of  said  Clerk, 
from  Alay  1,  188T,  to  Ma}'  1,  1888,  lie  fixed  at  the  sum  of  six 
hundred  dollars.     Adopted. — 188i,  p.  25. 

In  view  of  the  increased  amount  of  labor  required  of  the 
Stated  Clerk,  we  recommend,  that  his  salary  be  placed  at  nine 
hundred  dollars  instead  of  six  hundred  dollars.  Adoj)ted. — 1890, 
]).  3G. 

The  following  was  adopted:  In  view  of  the  enlargement  of 
the  work  and  the  necessity  of  extra  hel])  to  get  the  Minutes  out 
in  good  time,  we  recommend  that  the  salaiy  of  the  Stated  Clerk 
be  increased  one  hundred  dollars. — 1891,  p.  30. 

^lemorials  from  two  Presbyteries  have  been  placed  before  your 
Committee,  asking  that  the  salary  of  your  Stated  Clerk  be  reduced. 
After  careful  consideration  of  this  question,  your  Committee 
recommend  that  the  i)rayer  of  these  memorialists  be  not  granted. 
Adopted.— 1892,  p.   39. 

The  following  recommendation  was  adopted:  We  further  recom- 
mend that  the  salary  of  the  Stated  Clerk  of  the  General  Assem- 
bly bf  reduced  to  eight  hundred  dollars  per  annum. — 1894,  \^.  48. 

Your  Committee,  however,  has  freely  and  fully  discussed  the 
nuUter,  and  believing  not  only  that  the  Stated  Clerk  really  earns 
more  money  than  his  present  salary,  but  inasmuch  as  in  a  certain 
sense  he  represents  the  denomination,  and  the  office  being  one 
of  character  and  dignity  in  the  denomination,  we  recommend  that 
his  salary  he  fixed  at  one  thousand  dollars  i)er  annum.  Adopted. 
—1895,  p.  47. 


THJ-:  CENHKAL  ASSEMBLY.  203 

In  answer  to  a  nienioiial  rcl't'ired  to  it,  the  Committee  on 
Finance  recommended   the   following,   which   was   adopted: 

Concerning  the  salary  of  the  Staled  Clerk,  we  respectfully  refei- 
you  to  the  action  of  the  last  Assendjly,  which  fixed  the  salary  of 
the  Stated  Clerlv  at  one  thousand  dollais,  and  we  reconnnend  that, 
for  the  reasons  then  named,  no  change  he  made. — ISUti,  p.  30. 

12.  Engrossing  Clerk  of  the  Assembly. 

From  the  organization  of  the  General  Assemhly.  in  1S2!),  until 
1871,  it  was  the  custom  to  elect  at  each  meeting  a  mend)er  of 
the  body  to  act  as  an  Engrossing  Clerk,  who  turned  over  the 
Minutes  and  all  documents  coming  into  his  hands  to  the  Stated 
Clerk.     Following  is  a  list  of  these  Clerks: 

1829,  Richard  Beardf  ;  1S30,  Richard  Beardf;  1831,  Joseph  A. 
Coppt;  1832,  Wm.  H.  Bigham  f ;  1833,  Laban  Jonesf;  1834, 
Milton  Birdt;  1835,  M.  H.  Bone  f ;  1836,  Joseph  B.  Hillt;  1837, 
Wm.  H.  Bigham  t;  1838,  James  Smith  f;  1840,  J.  S.  McClainf*; 
1841,  J.  T.  A.  Henderson'!';  1842,  Cyrus  Haynes'i";  1843,  J.  S. 
McClain'f*;  1845,  B.  K.  Pierson 'f ;  1846,  J.  S.  McClainf*;  1847, 
Samuel  Bondf'';  1848,  W.  Burgess  i" ;  1849,  Cyrus  Haynesj'; 
1850,  John  G.  White;  1851,  John  Caryf;  1852,  Collins  J.  Brad- 
leyt;  1853,  John  G.  White;  1854,  M.  H.  Bone 'h  1855,  R.  C.  Ew- 
ingt*;  1856,  J.  B.  Logan 'f ;  1857,  W.  B.  Watterson 'i' ;  1858,  H. 
H.  Harrison  'f  '■';  1859,  Smith  Parks f*;  i860,  W.  S.  Campbell  f  ; 
1861,  A.  B.  Miller;  1S62,  J.  C.  Bowdon  f  ;  1863,  Azel  Freeman 'f ; 
1864,  J.  H.  Nickell  f ;  1S65,  J.  R.  Brown  f  ;  1866,  John  Frizzell  f  * ; 
1867,  D.  G.  Molloy;  1868,  E.  B.  Crisman  ;  1869,  John  Frizzell  f*; 
1870,  J.  C.  Van  Patten;   1871,  R.  S.  Reed  f. 

13.  Permanent  Engrossing  Clerk  of  the  Assembly. 

In  1871  a  Permanent  Engrossing  Clerk  was  elected,  as  appears 
from  the  following:  As  a  means  for  the  dispatch  of  business 
resulting  from  practical  skill  and  uniformity  in  the  discharge 
of  the  duties  of  office,  your  Committee  recommend  the  establish- 
ment of  the  office  of  Permanent  p]ngrossing  Clerk,  and  that  you 

t  Deceased.  *  Ruling-  Elder,  others  bein<r  ministers. 


204  PART  IV.,  CHURCH  COURTS. 

elect  some  suitable  ])erson  to  till  said  oliice,  whose  duty  it  shall 
be  to  serve  the  Assembly  at  all  her  ineetiugs,  keeping  a  true 
and  faithful  record  of  all  her  doings,  assisted  by  such  person  or 
persons  as  he  may  from  time  tu  lime  select  for  the  purpose.  It 
shall  also  be  his  duty,  as  soon  as  practicable,  after  the  close  of 
each  Assembly,  to  deliver  to  the  Stated  Clerk,  a  copy  of  the 
wliolc  pruccetlings.  carefully  prej)ared  for  the  press.  Your  Com- 
mittee would  also  suggest  the  propriety  of  making  said  Clerk 
i'.v-(ilp(:i<i  Treasurer  of  the  Assembly,  and  that  he  be  allowed  two 
hundied  dollars  jver  annum  for  his  services,  in  addition  to  his 
traveling  expenses  when  not  a  cominissioner  to  the  Assembly. 
Adopted. — 1871,  p.  31. 

In  jHirsuance  of  the  recouimendation  in  the  foregoing  report, 
Hev.  K.  J).  Crismau  was  unanimously  elected  Permanent  En- 
gi'ossing  Clerk. — 187  1.  p.  31. 

In  1872  (p.  31).  the  Asseuibly  made  it  the  tluty  of  the  Stated 
Clerk  "to  [lerform  thi'  work  of  Clei'k  during  the  meetings  of 
the  (ieneral  Assenil)ly,  and  for  this  pur])ose  he  may  appoint  such 
Tem])orai'y  Clerks  as  may  be  necessary." 

I  NoTK. — See  Part  1\'.,  (r)  "It  is  the  duty  of  the  Stated  Clerk 
to  ))ert'orui  tlie  duties  of  thigrossing  Clerk,"  p.  2UU.J 

14.  Temporary  Clerks  of  the  Assembly. 

According  to  the  dehverance  of  the  Assembly  in  1872,  the 
Stated  Clerks,  since  that  time,  have  discharged  the  duties  of 
Engrossing  Clerks,  uaiiung  such  Tem])orary  Clerks  as  were  found 
necessary.  The  following  have  served  as  Temporary  Clerks:  Rev. 
J.  M.  Hubbert,  1873-!M;  (who  had  also  assisted  the  Permanent 
Engrossing  Clerk,  in  1872);  Rev.  R.  M.  Tinnon,  188t),  1888;  Rev. 
M.  A.  Maxey.  1881;  Rev.  G.  T.  Thompson.  1882;  Rev.  W.  B.  Pres- 
ton. 1884,  1894-98;  Rev.  E.  E.  Morris,  1885,  188();  Ruling  Elder 
T.  M.  Hurst,  1887;  Rev.  A.  G.  P.ergen.  1887.  1889-94.  1897;  Rev.. 
J.  IT.  Morton.  1888;  Rev.  Charles  :\ranton,  1889-94,  1890-98;  Rev. 
J.  Y.  Stephens,  1895-98. 


THE  UEXERAL  ASSEMBEY.  205 

15.  Treasurer  of  the  General  Assembly. 

[Note. — See  Part  W .,  "L'hurcli  courts/*  Section  3,  '•Treasurer 
of  Church  courts,"  \).  10-5. J 

It  is  very  difficult  to  secure  accurate  and  fidl  information  in 
reference  to  the  Treasurers  in  the  earlier  years  of  the  Assembly. 
It  appears  tliat  none  was  elected  before  1834. 

(1)    A    LIST    OF    TIIP]    TkEASURERS    OF    THE    GeXEKAL    ASSEMBLY. 

In  183-t  Ruling  Elder  Dr.  Sidney  Smith  was  elected  Treasurer. 
In  1835  he  was  succeeded  by  Ruling-  Elder  Joseph  Kirkpatrick. 
In  1837  Ruling  Elder  ^Y.  L.  Martin  became  Treasurer,  and  re- 
signed in  1842.  In  1847  the  Stated  Clerk,  Rev..  C.  G.  McPher- 
son,  was  elected  Treasurer.  In  1850  he  resigned  the  office  of 
Stated  Clerk,  and  from  1850  to  1851  Rev.  R.  Beard  served  as 
Treasurer  pro  tempore.  Rev.  L.  R.  Woods  was  elected  Treasurer 
in  1851,  and  seems  to  have  served  until  1855.  At  this  date 
Rev.  Thomas  P.  Calhoun  was  chosen.  His  term  of  service  was 
short,  for  in  1857  Rev.  W.  D.  Chadick  was  elected,  who  was  suc- 
ceeded by  Rev.  M.  Bird  in  1862;  and  he  gave  place  to  Rev.  J.  S. 
Grider  in  1866,  who  resigned  in  1868.  ' 

Rev.  E.  B.  Crisman  was  elected  to  the  office  in  1868,  and  re- 
signed in  1873,  when  Ruling  Elder  John  Frizzell  was  chosen  to 
fill  the  place.  He  served  two  years,  when,  in  1875,  the  Board 
of  Publication  was  made  Treasurer,  and  continues  to  discharge 
the  duties  of  the  office  at  the  present  time,  1899. 

(2)   TkEASUKEKS  required  TO  GIVE   BOXD. 

Resolved,  That  the  Treasurer  of  the  General  Assembly,  elected 
at  this  session  (and  all  future  Treasurers),  be  required  to  execute 
a  bond,  with  security,  to  be  approved  by  the  Moderator,  for  the 
faithful  discharge  of  the  duties  appertaining  to  his  trust  as  such 
Treasurer,    Adopted. — 1855,  p.  33. 

(3)  Remuxeratiox  of  the  Treasurer. 

Whereas,  The  labors  of  the  Treasurer  of  this  Assemblv  have 
never  been  remunerated,  although  often  burthensome  and  attended 


206  PART  II'.,  CHURCH  COURTS. 

with  expenses  of  travel  and  contjiunption  of  time  on  the  part  of 
liim  on  wliom  the  duties  of  tliis  responsible  oilice  are  by  this 
body  imposed;  tlierel'ore, 

Ilesulved,  That  this  Assembly  allow  the  Trea.'^uier  five  per  cent. 
on  all  moneys  received  and  disbursed  by  liiiii.  and  that  this 
resolution   lake  etl'cel   from  this  session.      Adojiteil. — ISliO,   ji.   37. 

The  Treasurer  shall  be  allowed  live  per  ceiil.  upon  disl)ni-se- 
nients.  as  compensation  for  his  services.     .V(loi»ted. — 18T3,  p.   34. 

(!)     DlTIKS    OF    TllK    TUKASriiKll    IX    COLLECTING    THE    COXTINUENT 

FIXD. 

li'esolred.  That  the  Treasurer  of  the  General  Assembly  be,  and 
he  is  hereby,  requested  to  correspond  with  llie  deliutpieiit  I'res- 
hyteries,  throngh  their  Stated  Clerks,  inforiuin^ii-  them  of  our  in- 
debtedness, through  their  negligence,  and  leipiest  them  im- 
mediately to  forwai'd  their  ai'reaiages;  also  to  intorm  them  that 
the  Stated  Clerk  is  now  and  hereby  instrncted  not  to  forward  any 
^linules  to  any  ministei's  within  ihe  boiuids  of  said  delinquent 
]'res])yteries.     Adopted.— 18(50,  j).   38. 

I  XoTE. — V>\  subsequent  deliverances  of  the  (Jeneral  Assendjly 
it  is  made  the  duty  of  the  Stated  Clerk  to  collect  the  Contingent 
Fund.  See  Part  IV.,  (d)  "It  is  the  duty  of  the  Stated  Clerk 
to  receive  and  recei]it  foi-  the  Contingent   FumL"' — J.  A'.  S. ] 

(.-))     'J'lll.;    Tl{EASrHi:K     IXSTin'CTKI)    TO     I'AV     I'.II.LS    I'ltOMl'TLY. 

The  following  was  a(lo])ted:  We  I'ecoinmend  that  you  direct 
your  Siali'd  Clerk  to  })ay  moneys  received  on  contingent  tax  to 
your  Treasurer  quarterly,  and  that  youi-  Treasurer  pay  all  hills 
])romptly  when  the  nioiu-y  is  in  the  treasury. — 1898,  p.  (51. 

16.  The  General  Assembly  Contingent  Tax. 

Cexekal  liK(;rLATioxs,  Section  12. — The  Church  coiu-ts, 
above  the  chui-ch  Session,  may  from  time  to  time  make  such 
assessmpnts  u])on  their  c(uistituent  bodies  as  may  he  nccessaiy  to 


THE  GENERAL  ASSEMULY,  207 

meet  the  contingent  expenses  of  the  court  making  the  assessment; 
ma}'  provide  the  way  antl  manner  in  which  tlie  same  shall  be 
])aid,  and  prescril)c'  such  i-uh's  iu  relation  thereto  as  may  he 
deemed  necessaiy   to   se'curc   the   piouij)!    j)aymcnt    thereof. 

(1)  I'l.Ax  OF  isi:. 

The  Committee  to  wliom  was  rcfcircd  the  resolution  to  devise 
a  jdan  l)y  which  a  contingent  fund  may  Ije  raised  to  defray  the 
necessar}'  expenses  of  llic  (Jeneral  Assem])ly,  Ijeg  leave  to  report 
that  they  find  no  funds  hclouging  to  the  Assembly  that  can  be 
used  to  defray  its  L'.\[)ruscs.  The  Assendily  1)cing  c()m})osed  of 
commissionei's,  appointed  by  (be  Presbyteries,  your  Committee 
is  of  0])inion  tlud  ibcy  slioidd  not  be  taxed  with  the  expenses 
of  the  Assend)ly,  l)ut  tliat  tbe  w  boh'  Chtirch  shoubl  l)ear  tlie  l)ur- 
den.  They,  tberefore,  I'ecommend  lliat  each  I'lcsbytci-y  entitled  to 
four  commissioners  be  rc(piested  to  raise  tbe  sum  of  ten  dollars 
and  each  Presbyteiy  entitled  to  two  commissioners  be  re({uested 
to  raise  the  sum  of  live  dollars  and  forward  tbe  same  to  tlie 
Treasurer  of  the  General  Assembly  as  soon  as  i)racticable,  to  l)e 
ap])ropriated  by  bim  as  the  Assendjiy  may  direct.  Adopted. — 
1847,  J)]).  GTl,  075,  :\1S8. 

(2)     MODIKICATTOX    01-'    1849. 

^Micreas,  This  (Jenei'al  Assembly  re(piires  of  each  of  tbe  larger 
Presl)yteries  five  dollars  and  two  dollai's  aiul  lifly  cents  of  each 
of  the  smaller  ones  (l)y  ^"largei'"  is  meant  such  as  aic  entitled  to 
four  delegates,  and  by  "■smaller"  such  as  aie  entitled  to  two),  to 
be  forwarded  to  tbe  next  Assend)ly.  for  com])ensating  the  Stated 
Clerk  and  defraying  otber  contingent   ex])enses;  tberefore, 

liCSuh-eJ,  That  tbe  Treasurer  be,  and  he  is  hereby,  required  to 
report  to  tbe  next  (ieneral  Assend)ly  the  compliance  (u-  ]U)n- 
conijiliance  of  the  several  Presbyteries.  And,  further,  that  he 
make  a  full  rc])ort  of  all  moneys  ])aid  out  by  bim  and  for  wbat 
))ur])oscs,  so  that  ihc  Assembly  mav  be  enabb^d  to  determine  what 
amount  to  levy  on  Ibe  Presbytei'ies  in  future.  Adopted. — lS41b 
pp.  20,  27. 


208  PAR T  IV.,  CHURCH  CO  L  R  TS. 

(3)  IJate  of  fifty  cexts  for  each  mixister. 

The  following:  was  ado])ted: 

\Mierms,  Tliere  is  manifestly  great  inequality  and  unfairness 
in  the  manner  in  wdiich  the  contingent  fund  of  this  General  As- 
sembly is  now  raised,  as  a  weak  Presbytery  of  only  three  or 
four  ministers  is  no\v  required  to  pay  into  that  fund  as  much 
as  a  Presbyter}'  with  eleven  ministers,  and  one  with  twelve  min- 
isters is  required  to  raise  as  much  as  one  with  twenty-five  or 
thirty  ministers;  therefore, 

Fesolved,  That  all  former  regulations  on  this  subject  be,  and 
are  hereby,  repealed,  and  that  the  following  apportionment  be 
adopted : 

That  each  Presbytery  pay  annually  to  the  contingent  fund  of 
the  Assembly  at  the  rate  of  fifty  cents  for  each  ordained  minister 
within  its  bounds,  and  that  this  rule  take  effect  from  the  close 
of  this  session  of  the  Assembly. — ISfiO,  p.  30. 

(4)  Commissioners'  Fund. 

The  following  was  adopted:  Wlirrrds,  It  is  important  that  all 
our  Presbyteries  be  fully  represented  in  every  General  Assembly; 
and  whereas  many  of  them  are  so  remote  from  the  places  where 
the  General  Assembly  meets  that  they  cannot  have  a  full  delega- 
tion in  said  Church  court,  according  to  our  present  method  of 
procuring  funds  to  defray  commissioners'  expenses;  and  whereas 
it  is  but  just  and  proper  that  the  representation  and  expenses 
of  the  different  portions  of  the  Church  should  be  equalized  as 
as  far  as  practicable;  therefore, 

Resolved,  That  you  require  each  PresbyteiT  in  your  body  to 
send  up  to  each  of  your  meetings  an  amount  of  money  equal 
to  one  dime  per  member  in  the  several  congregations  of  said 
Presljyteries,  as  a  contingent  fund,  subject  to  the  order  of  the 
General  Assembly. 

Resolved,  That  the  Assembly  require  her  Treasurer  and  two 
others,  members  of  the  body — appointed  at  each  meeting  to  aid 
him — to  serve  as  a  standing  committee  to  receive  and  dis- 
burse said   funds  as  follows: 


THE  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY.  209 

1.  Defray  the  expenses  of  the  Assemljly,  sucli  as  Clerk's  salary, 
the  Treasurer's  traveling  expenses  when  nut  a  commissioner, 
stationer}',  publishing  iMiniites,  etc. 

2.  The  commissioners  from  each  Presbyter}^  wliich  has  paid  its 
part  of  said  fund,  shall  be  entitled  to  draw  on  said  Committee 
for  the  amount  of  their  traveling  expenses,  said  commissioners 
presenting  their  bills  jointly  to  the  Committee. 

3.  Commissioners  failing  to  bring  up  to  the  Assembly  the 
amount  due  from  their  Presbyteries,  or  failing  to  present  to  said 
Committee  a  full  statement  of  their  dues,  shall  not  receive  aid 
from  the  Assembly's  fund  until  said  statement  be  presented,  and 
their  arrearages  paid. 

4.  This  Committee  shall  keep  a  just  and  full  account  with  all 
the  Presbyteries,  and  submit  its  report  to  the  Assembly  near  the 
close  of  each  meeting. 

5.  This  Committee  shall  be  called  the  Assembly's  Financial 
Committee — the  Assembly's  Treasurer  being  its  regular  chairman. 

Resolved,  That  you  order  your  Stated  Clerk  to  give  an  early 
notice  of  this  regulation  to  the  Stated  Clerk  of  each  of  your 
Presbyteries  by  circular  or  otherwise,  that  all  may  be  prepared  to 
report  said  funds  at  your  next  meeting. — 1868,  pp.  35,  36. 

The  Financial  Committee  submitted  the  following  report,  which 
was  adopted: 

Yom-  Financial  Committee  report  the  accompanying  summary 
statement  as  the  schedule  of  what  they  have  done  during  your 
present  sessions  in  receiving  and  disbursing  the  commissioners' 
fund,  in  accordance  with  the  order  of  the  last  General  Assembly. 

In  addition  to  what  may  be  seen  by  this  summary  statement, 
we  will  mention  that  we  have  received  information  that  fifty-four 
Presbyteries  have  expressed  a  willingness  to  co-operate  in  this  or 
a  similar  plan;  one  Presbytery  has  rejected  the  plan;  fourteen 
Presbyteries  have  taken  no  action  on  the  subject;  and  from  thirty- 
one  .  Presbyteries  we  have  received  no  information,  and  therefore 
cannot  report  their  action. 

Your  Committee  are  of  the  opinion  that  a  system  to  equalize 
expenses  of  commissioners  to  the  Assembly,  will  ultimately  com- 
mend itself  to  the  favor  of  all  the  Presbyteries.     It   will  take 

14 


210  PART  ir..   CHf'A'CH  COTA'TS. 

Timo  and  patience  to  )  eii'eot  a  ])lan  and  seetnt'  the  <,^'neral  co- 
operation of  Presbyteries. 

In  order  to  remove  objection:^  wliieli  liave  been  made  by 
a  number  of  the  Presbyteries,  we  recommend  the  adoption 
of  the  foHowing  in  the  stead  of  tlie  phtn  adopted  1)y  the 
last  Assembly. 

Wli'-rcas,  It  is  important  that  all  our  Pi-esbyteries  be  fully  repre- 
sented in  every  (General  Assendjly;  and  whereas,  it  is  but  just  and 
])ro])er  that  the  rei)resentation  and  exjienses  of  the  different  por- 
tions of  the  Church  should  be  equalized  as  far  as  practicable; 
therefore. 

nef«ih-('(].  That  you  require  each  Presliytery  in  youi-  body  to  send 
up  to  each  <if  your  meetings,  or  to  the  Treasurer,  previously  to 
the  meeting,  an  amount  of  money  equal  to  one  dime  per  member 
in  the  several  congregations  of  said  Presbytery,  as  a  commissioners' 
lund. 

Eesuhcil.  That  the  Assembly  require  her  Treasurer  and  ,tvvo 
others.  nieml)ers  of  the  l)ody — ai)i)ointed  at  each  meeting  to  aid 
],iiii — .^o  serve  as  a  Standing  Committee  to  receive  and  disburse 
funds  as  follows: 

1.  The  comniissiuners  from  each  Presbytery  shall  }tresent  their 
Kills  I'or  traveling  expenses,  jointly   to   the   Committee. 

'i.  The  eounni.vsioners  from  each  Presbytery  which  has  paid  her 
part  of  said  fund,  shall  be  entitled  to  draw  on  .<aid  Committee 
for  the  amoiuit  of  their  traveling  expenses,  and  in  case  any  Pres- 
bvterv  has  not  paid  the  whole  of  said  fund  due  from  lier.  then 
her  commissioners  shall  be  allowed  to  draw  in  i)ro{)ortion  to  the 
amount  paid  in  by  the  Presbytery,  and  the  amount  of  the  traveling 
expenses  of  her  commissioners. 

3.  This  Conmiittee  shall  keej)  a  just  and  full  account  with  all 
the  Presbyteries,  and  sttbmit  its  report  to  the  Asseml)ly  near  the 
close  of  each  meeting. 

4.  This  Committee  shall  be  called  the  Assembly's  Financial 
Committee,  the  Assembly's  Treastirer  being  its  regulai-  chair- 
man. 

From  the  fact  that  many  of  the  Presbyteries  did  not  ftilly 
understand  the  j)lan.  your  Committee  rec-ommend  that  what  ap- 
pears on  the  accompanying  summary  statement  as  the  arrearages 


I  HE  (;i:.\ERAL  ASSEMBLY.  211 

of  various  Presbyteries  to  the  cominissioners"  liind.  shall  not  be 
considered  as  arreai'ages,  l)Ut  that  the  Assembly  urjze  e\ery  Pres- 
bvterv  to  collect  and  forward  ])roni])tly,  in  future,  the  fund  above 
l)rovided  for.  and  which  is  so  ini]>ortanl  to  the  welfare  of  the 
Church. 

Two  papers  have  been  referred  to  us  on  the  subject  of  the  As- 
sembly's financial  plans,  on  which  we  report  as  follows:  The 
decision  of  the  present  Genei'al  x^ssembly  corroborates  our  de- 
liberate views,  as  cxja'cssed  in  the  following  resolution,  which  we 
reconunend  for  your  adojition:  ^* 

liesohed.  That  it  is  ine.\i»edient  to  repeal  the  law  taxing  the 
Presbyteries  an  amount  equal  to  fifty  cents  for  each  ordained  min- 
ister, until  the  conmiissioners"  iund  plan  is  fully  inaugurated  and 
the  Presbyteries  working  uj*  to  it.  and  not  then  unless  there  is 
a  prospect  »jf  sufhcient  surplus  funds  from  the  commissioners'  fund 
to  meet  contingent  expenses  of  the  Asseml)ly. — 18(i9.  pp.  30.  31. 

(-■))  Kate  ok  one  noLLAH  for  each   ^[inisier. 

Whereas.  The  present  contingent  tax  ou  the  Presbyteries  is 
wholly  inaderpiate  to  meet  the  cuj-rcnt  expenses  of  the  Assembly: 
therefore, 

Ri'solreJ.  1.  That  the  contingent  tax  on  the  Presbyteries  be  in- 
creased to  double  the  jirc^ent  tax.  so  that  in  future  everv  Pres- 
bytery shall  be  required  to  ]iay  annuidly  for  this  account  an 
amoiuit  of  money  ecpial  to  one  dollar  for  every  ordained  preacher, 
beginning  with  the  year  1871. 

BesolreiJ.  2.  That  this  tax  shall  be  due  on  the  first  dav  of 
January  for  each  year,  and  shall  be  forwarded  to  the  Assemblv's 
Treasurer  by  that  day.  or  as  soon  as  practicable  thereafter. 
Adoj.ted.— 18:0.  p.  34. 

(H)  Repeal  of  commissioxers"  fund  law. 

Eesohecl.  That  the  i)laji  for  raising  a  commissioners"  fund,  adopt- 
ed l)y  the  Assembly  of  1868,  be  herebv  abandoned.  Adopted. — 
1871.  p.  10. 

[XoTE. — This  ])l;in  never  met  with  any  considerable  success, 
hence  its  repeal. — J.  V.  S.] 


212  PART  IV.,  CHURCH  COURTS. 

:  (?)  Tax  based  ox  the  xumbee  of  commuxicaxts. 

The  following  recommendations  as  to  the  financial  operations 
of  the  General  Assembly  were  made,  wliich  were  adopted: 

1.  That  a  contingent  tax  equal  to  two  cents  for  each  communi- 
cant within  the  hounds  of  the  Presbyteries,  he  paid  over  to  the 
Stated  Clerk  of  the  General  Assembly  for  the  purpose  of  defraying 
its  incidental  expenses. 

2.  This  contingent  tax  shall  be  due  and  payable  on  the  first 
day  of  May  in  each  year. — 18T3.  p.  34. 

The  Committee  on  Finance  recommend  that  "the  contingent 
tax  upon  the  Presbyteries  be,  for  the  ensuing  year,  three  cents 
per  communicant."'     Adopted. — 1875,  p.  38. 

(8)    PlAXS    foe    JIEETIXG    COMMISSIOXEES'    EXrEXSES.    LOST. 

The  report  of  the  Committee  on  Finance  in  relation  to  the  en- 
tertainment of  the  General  Assembly  was  called  up.  and,  on  motion, 
was  referred  to  a  Special  Committee,  with  instructions  to  devise 
a  plan  for  the  entertainment  of  the  General  Assembly  and  for 
equalizing  the  expense  of  commissioners,  and  to  report  to  the  next 
General  Assembly. 

Ministers  J.  W.  Poindexter,  R.  H.  Caldwell,  and  J.  M.  Gill, 
and  Euling  Elders  E.  McDavitt  and  A.  J.  Calkins  were  appointed 
on  said  Committee. 

The  following  paper,  offered  by  Eev.  E.  B.  Crisman,  was  also 
referred  to  this  Committee: 

Resolved,  That  in  the  future  the  several  Presbyteries  will  be 
expected  to  pay  the  boarding  of  their  commissioners  to  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly,  as  well  as  their  traveling  expenses,  and  that  here- 
after the  General  Assembly  will  not  ask  nor  expect  free  enter- 
tainment; but' this  shall  not  be  so  construed  as  to  disapprove  of 
individual  commissioners  accepting  free  entertainment  when  kindly 
offered,  nor  (if  the  General  Assembly's  accepting  free  entertain- 
ment when  offered. — :1882,  p.  37. 

This  Committee  reported  to  the  Assembly  in  1883.  Its  report 
was  referred  to  the  next  Assembly,  and  to  the  Presbyteries  for  an 
expression  of  their  views  thereon,  and  is  as  follows: 

The  Committee  appointed  by  the  General  Assembly  to  consider 


THE  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY.  213 

and  report  a  uniform  system  of  mileage  and  per  diem  allowance, 
whereby  full  provision  may  be  made  for  the  traveling  and  boarding- 
expenses  of  the  commissioners  to  our  General  xVssemblies,  and  to 
meet  the  contingent  expenses  of  each  Assembly,  respectfully  re- 
port: 

The  principle  is  well  established,  both  in  our  Form  of  Govern- 
ment and  practice,  that  the  Presbyteries  should  provide  for  the 
payment  of  the  traveling  expenses  of  the  commissioners  to  the 
General  Assembly.  * 

Your  Committee  are  of  the  opinion  that  the  more  remote  and 
feeble  Presbyteries  should  be  aided  by  the  more  central  and 
strong  Presbyteries.  "Bear  ye  one  another's  burdens,"  is  not 
only  of  Divine  authority,  but  reasonable  and  just.  Experience  has 
shown  that  some  plan  by  which  the  expenses  shall  be  equally  dis- 
tributed among  all  the  Presbyteries,  is  necessary  to  secure  a  re- 
spectable and  full  delegation.     It  is  therefore  recommended: 

1.  That  a  Permanent  Committee  on  this  subject  be  appointed 
by  this  General  Assembly,  whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  present,  from 
year  to  year  the  probable  amount  necessary  to  meet  the  expenses 
hereinbefore  mentioned,  with  a  statement  of  the  per  capita  rate, 
based  on  the  number  of  ordained  ministers  in  each  Presbytery,  or 
upon  the  number  of  communicants  in  the  several  Presbyteries. 

2.  That  the  Presbyteries,  at  their  stated  meeting  next  following 
the  adjournment  of  the  General  Assembly,  apportion  the  amount 
required  of  their  churches  as  they  deem  best. 

3.  That  the  churches  be  instructed  to  pay  over  their  respective 
apportionments  at  the  stated  meeting  of  their  Presbyteries  next 
preceding  the  meeting  of  the  General  Assembl}- — the  whole 
amount  due  from  the  Presl)yteries  to  be  for^varded  to  the  General 
Assembly  by  their  commissioners  or  other  appointed  officers. 

4.  That  as  early  as  the  fourth  day  of  the  sessions  of  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly,  the  apportionment  of  each  Presbytery  be  paid  in 
full,  and  a  bill  of  the  necessary-  expenses  of  its  commissioners  be 
presented  to  the  Permanent  Committee  above  provided  for.  It 
is  understood,  however,  that  the  commissioners,  both  in  coming  to 
and  returning  from  the  General  Assembly,  will  avail  themselves 
of  any  commutation  of  fares  that  may  be  offered  in  season;  and 
that  in  other  cases  they  are  to  take,  when   practicable,  the  most 


214  PART  II '. ,   CHURCH  COL  RTS. 

economical  route;  no  allowance  to  be  made  I'or  extra  accommoda- 
tions on  the  way.  Also  that  no  one  will  charge  for  return  ex- 
penses, imless  he  intends  to  go  back  to  his  Held  of  labor;  and  that 
no  one  on  a  business  tour,  or  excursion  of  pleasure,  will  make  a 
convenience  of  the  meeting  of  the  (jeneral  xVssembly  and  expect 
the  payment  of  his  expenses  from  the  general  fund.  Also,  that 
the  commissioners,  as  soon  after  their  arrival  as  practicable,  are  to 
report  themselves  to  the  Committee  of  arrangements  and  have 
their  respective  places  of  abode  assigned  them. 

h.  That  the  Permanent  Committee,  above  ])rovided  for,  after 
ap]n'opriating  from  the  whole  sum  an  amount  sulhcient  to  meet 
the  estimated  contingent  expenses  of  the  General  Assembly,  he  in- 
structed to  audit  these  bills  for  traveling  and  l)oard,  and  pay  them, 
fro  rata  (if  found  in  accordance  with  the  preceding  regulations), 
as  tar  as  tlie  funds  will  permit. 

().  That,  in  order  to  avail  themselves  of  tlie  proceeds  of  tliis 
fund,  the  Presbyteries  must  contribute  tlieir  full  ])]oportiou  to  it, 
according  to  the  fcr  capita. 

i.  That  the  fund  shall  be  disbursed  from  year  to  year  by  the 
Conmiittee,  and  be  used  for  the  ])urpose  of  defraying  the  expenses 
of  commissioners,  wha  are  not  othenvise  })rovided  for. 

8.  Provided  nothing  herein  contained,  shall  be  a  bar  to  the  ac- 
ceptance of  free  entertainment  by  the  General  Assembly,  either  in 
whole  or  in  part,  when  tendered. 

9.  That  the  Treasurer  be  authorized  to  ])ay  the  account  of  the 
Committee,  after  it  has  been  approved  by  the  Finance  Committee 
of  the  General  Assembly.— 1883,  pp.  21,  22. 

The  Stated  Clerk  made  the  following  liej)ort  on  Mileage  of  Com- 
inissioners,  which  was  concurred  in: 

The  Presbyteries  favoring  tlie  mileage  system  submitted  by  the 
last  General  Assembly  are  the  following:  Anderson,  Gregory, 
Guthrie,  Indiana.  Kansas,  Kirksville,  Kirkpatrick,  Lexington, 
Madison,  Mississippi,  Ozark,  Pennsylvania,  Platte,  Princeton, 
Pocky  Mountain,  Sangamon,  San  Jacinto,  Talladega,  Tehiiacana, 
Wabash.  T'nion— 21.— 1884,  p.  1-1. 

Several  resolutions  on  mileage  of  commissioners  were  presented, 
and  referred  to  a  special  committee  consisting  of  Ministers  IT.  F. 


THE  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY.  215 

Bone,  W.  W.  Hendrix,  K.  M.  Wliite,  W.  (J.  il.  rerrv,  and  ItuUug 
Elder  E.  E.  Beard. — ia84:,  p.  IG. 

The  Committee  on  Mileage  of  Commissioners  made  a  report, 
which  was  laid  on  tUe  table,  and  then,  on  motion.  Ruling  Elder 
John  Erizzell  was  appointed  a  Committee  of  One  on  Mileage  of 
Commissiuners  with  the  request  that  he  report  at  the  next  meeting 
of  the  (iencTal  Assembly. — 1881,  p.  ol. 

The  Eeport  of  the  Committee  on  Mileage  was  taken  from  the 
docket,  and  a  motion  to  refer  the  s<ime  to  the  Presbyteries  for  their 
action  was,  afier  discussion,  lost,  the  vote  being  seventy-six  in  the 
aflfirmative  and  forty-five  in  the  negative. — 188."3,  p.  18. 

The  report  of  the  Conmiittee  on  Unance  was  rejected,  but  it 
was  ordered  to  l)e  recorded  for  information,  and  is  as  follows: 

]\IoDERATOit  AND  Bketiirex: — Your  Committee  on  Finance 
respectfully  submit  report  Xo.  2.  We  have  carefully  considered 
a  memorial  from  the  Kansa.«  Presbytery  asking  that  you  rescind 
the  order  requiring  a  tax  of  fifty  cents  from  each  congregation, 
and  in  connection  tlierewith  a  ]»aper  pro})Osing  a  general  fund 
from  which  the  expenses  of  commissioners  to  the  General  As- 
sembly shall  be  paid. 

We  recommend  that  you  adopt  the  following,  in  lieu  of  all  ]ire- 
vious  arrangements  for  meeting  the  contingent  expenses: 

1.  Each  Presbytery  shall  pay  annually  into  the  treasury  of  the 
General  Assembly  a  sum  equal  to  ten  cents  for  each  resident  com- 
municant of  the  clnu-ches  in  its  bounds;  the  fund  thus  secured  to 
be  used  for  paying  the  contingent  expenses  of  the  General  Assem- 
bly. a]ul  also  the  traveling  expenses  and  board  of  eommissionei'S. 

2.  Each  commissioner  .shall  be  provided  by  the  Stated  Clerk 
with  a  blank  form,  upon  which  the  railroad  agent  or  agents,  at 
the  })lace  or  places  where  he  puix-hases  his  ticket,  shall  certify  to 
the  cost  of  the  ticket  and  the  agreement  as  to  the  return  rate. 
These  certificates  shall  be  deposited  with  the  Stated  Clerk,  as  soon 
as  possible,  after  the  arrival  of  the  commissioner  at  the  General 
Assembly. 

3.  Immediately  after  the  adjournment  of  the  General  Assembly. 
the   Stated   Clerk  shall   remit  to  each  commissioner  the  amount 


216  PART  //".,  CHURCH  COURTS. 

which  is  shown  by  the  certitieate  of  the  railroad  agent  to  have 
been  the  amount  of  his  traveling  expenses,  and  also  an  amount 
equal  to  one  dollar  ($1.00)  per  day  for  the  time  the  commissioner 
has  been  in  attendance  at  the  x\ssembly. 

4.  Whenever  the  expense  of  each  commissioner  from  any  one 
Presbytery  shall  amount  to  more  than  fifty  dollars  ($50.00),  the 
Stated  Clerk  shall  pay  the  expenses  of  only  one  commissioner  from 
that  Presbytery,  if  it  is  entitled  to  two;  but  if  it  is  entitled  to  four 
commissioners  then  he  shall  pay  the  expenses  of  two. 

5.  Whenever  a  Presbytery  is  in  arrears  to  the  General  Assembly, 
the  Stated  Clerk  shall  not  pay  the  expenses  of  its  commissioners, 
until  the  arrearage  is  made  good. 

().  AYlienever  a  commissioner  shall  depart  from  the  Assembly  be- 
fore the  final  adjournment,  the  Stated  Clerk  shall  not  pay  his  ex- 
penses, unless,  in  the  judgment  of  a  committee  to  be  appointed  by 
each  Assembly  for  this  purpose,  he  has  good  and  sufficient  reasons 
for  such  departure. — 1896.  pp.  49.  50. 

The  General  Assembly  in  1897,  (p.  63),  appointed  a  Special 
Committee,  consisting  of  Ruling  lilders  I.  W.  Goodnight,  11.  H. 
Norman,  and  L.  P.  Padgett,  \\hose  duty  was,  to  "formulate  a  plan 
for  raising  and  distributing  money  for  contingent  exi)en.ses  nf  the 
Assembly,  and  for  a  commissioners'  fund." 

The  Committee  submitted  the  following,  whicli  was  referred  to 
the  Conunittee  on  Ways  and  Means: 

We  esteem  it  highly  desirable  that  our  Church  should  occupy  a 
plane  of  progi'ession  and  strength,  rendering  the  General  Assembly 
independent  as  to  places  of  meeting  and  free  from  embarrassment 
in  its  sessions,  thus  relieving  the  congregations  of  the  burdens  and 
inconveniences  incident  to  gratuitous  entertainment,  and  leaving 
the  Assembly  free  to  place  its  sessions  so  ;is  to  attain  tlie  greatest 
good  for  Christianity  and  the  Church. 

To  this  end  we  hope  to  see,  at  an  early  day.  an  Asseml)ly  fund 
provided  which  shall  cover  the  entertainment  of  all  delegates 
while  attending  the  Asseml)ly.  We  Ijelieve  such  a  system  both  de- 
sirable and  feasible,  but  doubt  if  the  Churcli  is  now  ready  for  such 
an  advance;  and  contenting  ourselves  "to  make  haste  slowly,"  we 
report  against  the  present  erection  of  an  Assembly  fund  for  the 
entertainment  of  commissioners. 


THE  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY.  217 

In  order  to  provide  full  and  fair  representation  in  our  Assembly 
from  all  Presbyteries  alike,  strong  and  weak,  near  and  far,  we 
believe  the  Assembly  should  raise  a  sum  sufficient  to  meet  its 
current  expenses  and  also  pay  for  the  transportation  of  its  com- 
missioners. 

Under  such  a  system  the  Assembly  would  avoid  the  necessity  of 
rotating  to  "out  of  the  way"  points;  but  could,  and  likely  would, 
occupy  central  and  accessible  positions. 

Thus  sititated  we  assume  that  an  Assembly  would  compj'ise  350 
delegates.  The  average  mileage  of  two  hundred  of  tliese  would 
not  exceed  $20.00  each,  $4,000.00. 

Estimating  the  mileage  for  the  remaining  hfty,  at  $00.00  each, 
$3,000.00,  we  have  an  aggregate  nuleage  of  $':,000.(»0;  when  to 
this  is  added  $3,000.00  for  current  Assembly  expenses,  we  should 
be  compelled  to  raise  $10,000.00,  to  cover  the  running  expenses  of 
the  Assembly  and  the  transportation  of  its  members. 

Estimating  that  we  have  180,000  active  mendjers,  an  average 
per  capita  tax  of  six  cents  per  member  would  more  than  provide 
the  fund,  if  all  should  pay.  Assuming  that  only  two-thirds  of 
this  number  would  respond  to  the  Assembly's  call,  we  should  still 
have  a  membership  of  120,000  upon  whom  we  could  rely  foi-  the 
fund;  and  a  tax  of  nine  cents  upon  these  would  slightly  exceed 
the  amount. 

We  feel  assured  that  the  per  capita  tax  necessary  to  yield  said 
fund  would  in  no  event  exceed  ten  cents,  which  would  now 
realize  $12,000.00,  giving  a  sufficient  surplus  to  cover  any  ])rob- 
able  faihtre  in  collections. — 1898.  p.  29. 

The  Committee  on  Ways  and  Means  reported  as  follow^^,  which 
was  adopted: 

The  Assembly's  Committee  on  Commissioners'  Fund  report 
against  the  present  erection  of  an  Assembly's  Fund  for  the  en- 
tertainment of  Commissioners  while  in  attendance  upon  the  Gen- 
eral Assembl}''s  sessions.  Your  Committee  recommends  concur- 
rence in  this  item  of  Sjjccial  Committee's  report. 

Your  Committee  have  careftilly  examined  the  plan,  for  the 
transportation  of  commissioners,  presented  in  said  report:  have 
also  considered  the  numiorials  from  Nebraska  P^esbyte^3^  Greer 
Couutv    Presbvterv,    Louisiana    Presbvterv,    Pacific    Svnod.    Towa 


218  PART  IV.,  CHURCH  COURTS. 

Synod,  Rushville  Presbytery,  and  McGee  Presbytery,  asking  that 
a  plan  be  adopted  for  raising  a  fund  out  of  wliicii  to  pay  tlie 
transportation  of  the  conimissionei-s  to  the  General  Assembly. 

Your  Committee  would  heartily  indorse  said  plan,  and  would 
recommend  the  adoption  of  this  item  of  the  report,  were  it  not 
for  the  many  difficulties  and  disadvantages  which  would  l)e  very 
lihely  to  arise. 

We  are  of  the  opinion  that  the  plan  would  not  work  well, 
and  would  give  rise  to  much  dissatisfaction  and  unnecessary  litiga- 
tion, and  in  all  probability  would  result  in  reducing  the  represen- 
tation of  Presbyteries  in  the  General  xVssembly  more  than  is  now 
caused  by  iiuibility  on  i)art  of  weak  Presbyteries.  While  your 
Committee  would  be  glad  if  the  desires  and  needs  of  weak  Pres- 
byteries could  in  this  regard  be  fully  met.  yet  we  are  not  just  now 
able  to  see  that  the  plan  presented  by  Special  Committee,  al- 
though meeting  special  needs  of  weak  Presbyteries,  will  avoid 
other  iticonveniences  which  would  undoubtedly  work  hurt  and  dis- 
satisfaction. We  are  unanimously  of  the  opinion  that  this  matter 
of  finance  should  be  left  under  the  control  of  Presbyteries. 

We,  therefore,  recommend  non-concurrence  in  this  item  of 
Special  Committee's  rejjort. — 1898,  p.  79. 

(9)  Rate  of  one  dollar  for  each  minister. 

An  amount  equal  to  one  dollar  for  each  ordained  minister  be- 
longing to  the  Presbytery  at  the  time  of  making  its  annual  report, 
shall  be  annually  assessed  upon  each  of  the  Presbyteries,  which 
shall  l)e  paid  to  the  Stated  Clerk  of  the  General  Assembly  on 
or  before  ^lay  1st  each  year.     Adopted. — 1883,  p.  44. 

(10)  Rate  of  one  dollar  and  fifty  cents  for  each  minister. 

To  meet  these  assessments,  the  ta.x  on  the  Presbyteries  must 
be  increased  from  one  dollar  on  each  minister  to  one  dollar  and 
fifty  cents.     Adopted.— 1886,  p.  21. 

(11)  Rate  of  two  dollars  for  each  minister. 

The  Genera]  Assembly  determined  that  eacli  Presbytery  be  re- 
quired to  pay  into  the  General   Assembly's  contingent  fund   two 


THE  UEXERAL  ASSEMBLY.  219 

dollars  ior  eac-li  urdaincil  pieaelic)'.  instead  of  one  dollar  and  lit'ly 
cents.— 18U0,  p.  oG. 

(l"^)  Kate  of  fifty  cents  fuh  each  ciiukch,  ix  addition  to 

THE   KATE  OF  TWO   DOLLAKS   FOIJ   EACH    MIXISTEK. 

We  reconimeud,  therefore,  that  inasmuch  as  a  copy  of  the 
Minutes  is  sent  to  every  church  Session  free,  a  tax  of  fifty  cents 
be  levied  upon  eveiy  ehurch  to  meet  the  deficit,  and  that  the  same 
be  collected  by  Fresbyterial  Treasurers  througli  the  church  Ses- 
sions and  sent  to  the  Stated  Clerk  of  the  General  Asseml)ly  as 
the  other  contingent  tax  is  sent.     Adopted. — 1893,  p.  -10. 

I'pon  the  assessment  of  this  tax,  T.  C.  Blake,  D.D.,  Stated 
Clerk,  made  the  following  favorable  comment: 

Let  me  assure  you  of  the  wisdom  you  disjjlayed  by  imposing  a 
tax  of  fifty  cents  on  every  congregation  in  the  bounds  of  the 
denomination.  True,  there  is  some  opposition  to  this  additional 
tax,  but  this  resistance  is  confined  to  a  ver\-  small  element.  Any 
one.  it  would  seem,  can  see  the  justice  of  this  tax;  for.  l)y  pacing 
the  same,  a  congregation  gets  a  copy  of  the  Minutes  of  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly,  and  really  at  less  than  cost.  All  other  Presbyterian 
bodies  tax  every  congregation  one  dollar  extra  for  their  Minutes. 
Let  me  then  urge  upon  you  the  importance  of  adhering  to  this 
most  reasonable  tax — a  tax  which  can  in  no  sense  be  considered 
oppressive  or  excessive,  for  it  does  not  average  om  ccnl  per  mem- 
ber.—1 894,  p.  15. 

(13)  Presbyteries,  not  preachers  axd  cihrches,  aee  taxed. 

Whereas,  There  ap])ears  to  be  considera])le  misinterpretation  of 
the  language  used  by  the  Assemldy  in  estal)lishing  the  contingent 
tax;  therefore. 

Besohed,  That  in  the  use  of  the  i)lirase  '"'an  amount  of  money 
equal  to  one  dollar  for  every  ordained  minister,"  the  Assembly 
taxes  Presbyteries,  not  preachers,  and  does  not  bv  anv  means 
contemplate  that  the  preachers  pay  the  tax,  but  that  the  Pres- 
byteries raise  the  amount  in  such  way  as  may  a]ipear  expedient, 
by  tax  on  the  churches  or  otherwise.    Approved. — 1871,  p.  33. 


220  PART  J  v.,  CHURCH  COURTS. 

We  have  carefully  considered  the  memorial  from  Kansas  Pres- 
bytery, asking  you  to  rescind  the  order  requiring  each  congrega- 
tion to  pay  an  annual  tax  of  fifty  cents  into  the  treasury  of  the 
General  Assembly.  We  agree  with  the  petitioners,  that  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly  has  no  constitutional  right  to  levy  a  tax,  except 
upon  its  own  constituent  bodies,  the  Presbyteries  (see  General 
Regulations,  Section  12),  yet  we  deem  this  additional  amoimt 
necessary  to  meet  the  contingent  expenses.  We,  therefore,  recom- 
mend that  you  order  as  follows,  in  lieu  of  all  previous  arrange- 
ments for  securing  a  contingent  fund: 

The  several  Presliyterics  of  the  C'umljerland  Presbyterian  Church 
are  hereby  directed  to  pay  annually  into  the  treasury  of  the  Gen- 
eral xA.ssembly,  to  meet  current  expenses,  a  sum  equal  to  two  dol- 
lars for  each  ordaiui"]  minister,  and  fifty  cents  for  each  congre- 
gation within  tlieir  oomids.     Adopted. — 1896.  p.  58. 

(14)  The   Stated   C'lekk   oannot   remit   or   compromise   the 

contingent  fund. 

The  General  Assembly  instructed  its  Stated  Clerk  not  to  settle 
by  compromise  any  elaims  which  the  General  Assembly  holds 
against  the  Presbyteries,  but  to  inform  them  that  the  Assembly 
ex])ects  them  to  pay  in  full  their  share  of  the  necessar}'  expenses, 
and  this  order  a])i)lies  to  Presbyteries  which  have  heretofore  been 
exem])t  from  the  contingent  tax. — 189G.  p.  30. 

The  Stated  I'lerk  was  directed  not  to  remit  or  compromise  dues 
in  arrears  from  delinquent  Presbyteries.  Any  Presbytery  in  ar- 
rears, and  feeling  itself  from  any  cause  entitled  to  relief  was 
directed  to  petition  the  Assembly  for  such  relief  as  it  may  desire, 
thus  submitting  each  case,  upon  its  individual  merits,  to  the  judg- 
ment of  the  Assembly. — 189T,  ]>.  G2. 

(15)  The   Assembly   alone   can    remit   or    compromise   the 

contingent  fund. 

The  Committee  on  Finance  suljmitted  the  following  report, 
which  was  adopted: 

The  Greer  County  Presbytery  has  asked  that  its  indebtedness 
to  the  General  Assembly  be  canceled,  and  that  it  be  permitted 
to  use  all  monev  collected,  for  work  within  its  own  bounds. 


THE  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY.  221 

Your  Committee  are  of  the  opinion  that  the  repudiation  of  Just 
debts,  or  the  settlement  of  financial  obligations  by  compromise 
or  cancellation,  is  an  indication  of,  and  enconragement  to.  loose 
moral  principle,  and  that  the  Church  of  Christ  cannot  afford  to 
sanction  such  a  course. 

It  may  be  especially  difficult  for  some  Presbyteries,  and  this 
one  in  particular,  to  meet  the  contingent  tax;  yet  we  surmise 
that  it  is  not  so  much  inability  to  pay,  as  lack  of  system  in 
collecting,  wliich  is  the  cause  of  their  indebtedness. 

Further,  to  permit  a  Presb}i:ery  to  use  its  funds  wholly  within 
its  own  bounds,  would  be  olj\'iously  unjust  to  other  weak  Pres- 
byteries, and  would  establish  a  precedent  which  would  involve 
the  Assembly  in  endless  confusion.  We  therefore  recommend  that 
the  prayer  be  not  granted. — 1896,  p.  30. 

The  following  report  of  the  Finance  Committee  was  adopted: 
We  have  considered  the  section  of  the  report  of  your  Stated 

Clerk  which  was  referred  to  us,  in  which  he  asks  direction  in  the 

following  cases: 

1.  Where  Presbyteries  have  paid  no  contingent  tax  for  years. 

2.  Where  delinquent  Presbyteries  pay  up,  and  ask  a  credit  for 
the  Minutes  of  former  years,  not  received. 

3.  Where  Presbyteries  ask  that  a  part  of  their  contingent  tax 
be  remitted. 

Covering  all  these  cases  we  recommend: 

That  you  reaffirm  the  action  of  the  Assembly  in  1896  and  1897, 
found  in  the  Minutes  of  1897,  page  62,  to  wit:  "That  the  Stated 
Clerk  be  directed  not  to  remit  or  compromise  dues  in  arrears 
from  delinquent  Presbyteries,  and  we  now  recommend  that  any 
Presbytery  in  arrears  and  feeling  itself  from  any  cause  entitled 
to  relief,  be  remitted  to  its  rightful  remedy  to  petition  the  As- 
sembly for  such  relief  as  it  may  desire^  thus  submitting  each  case 
upon  its  individual  merits  to  the  judgment  of  the  Assembly." — 
1898,  p.  63. 

In  regard  to  the  memorial  from  Kansas  Presbyter}%  we  recom- 
mend that  their  contingent  tax,  now  due,  $111.50,  be  reduced  to 
$60.  and  relative  to  the  request  of  Republican  Valley  Presbytery, 


222  PART  J \'.,  LTIL'KCI I  COURTS. 

we  recomineiid  thai  their  coiitiiigt'iil   lax   lie  reduced  Iruiii  $27.25 
to  $1U. 

Inasmuch  as  we  have  learned  that  Eden  Preshylerv  lias  now 
but  two  ordained  ministers,  and  that  the  Preshytery  is  not  able 
to  pay  its  contingent  tax,  we  recommend  tiiat  all  ta-\  now  due  from 
that  Preshytery  he  remitted.     Adojjted. — 1898,  p.  03. 

(Ki)    Xo    Hi:iMBUKSl';.MEXT    CAN    BK    MADK    TO    PhESBYTKKII->    THAT 

I'AY    l)r]';s    AFTEK   THE    SLPIM.V    OK   THE   ^[lXUTE8 

IS    EXHAUSl'Ei). 

That  no  reimhursement  of  credit  1)e  given  to  such  Pfeshyteries 
as  have  paid  up  their  delinquent  tax  without  receiving  the  former 
Minutes,  seeing  that  the  supplies  have  heen  exhausted,  and  that 
the  ])rinting  of  the  Minutes  reipiires  only  a  small  part  of  the  con- 
tingent tax.     A})proved. — 1898,  p.  (iS. 

(17)    The    Stated    Cleek    must    repoht    DELiXQfExr    1'hesby- 

TERIES   to   their    SvNODS. 

That,  inasmuch  as  the  arrears  of  Pres])yteries  on  contingent 
tax  amounts  to  over  two  thousand  dollars,  your  Stated  L'lerk  be 
directed  to  confer  with  such  Presbyteries  and  urge  them  to  pay 
at  once  all,  or  such  part  of  their  indel)tedness  as  they  may  be 
able. 

That  your  Stated  Clerk  call  the  attention  of  Synods  to  their 
delinqueut  Presl)yteries.  and  that  all  such  Preshyteries,  by  the 
counsel  and  direction  of  their  Synods,  re])ort  to  the  next  regular 
meeting  of  the  (ieneral  Assend»ly  how  much  of  theii'  arrears  they 
can  and  are  willing  to  j)ay. 

That  in  any  case  in  the  future  where  the  contingent  tax  of 
a  Preshytery  has  heen  due  for  one  year,  your  Stated  Clerk  be 
directed  to  call  the  attention  of  the  Synod  to  this  fact.  Adopted. 
—1898,  }).  63. 

(IS)   'I'lll':    FISCAL   ^EAR. 

The  following  re])ort  was  adopted: 

The  statistical  rejtorts  from  the  Stated  Clerks  of  Presbyteries 
shall  bo  in  such   form  as  may  l)e  y)rePcribod  by  the  Stated  Clerk 


THE  UE^'LKAL  ASSEMBLY.  223 

of  the  General  Assembly,  who  shall  iurnish  the  necessary  blanks 
for  the  |jurpo«e,  and   a  suniniary  of  these  reports  shall   be  pub-     • 
lished  with  the  Minult's  of  the  General  Assembly. — 1873,  p.   34. 

{(l)    Fiscdl  ijcar  rinses  April  -Ullh. 

These  statistical  reports  shall  Ijear  date  of  the  first  day  of  May 
in  eaeli  year,  and  shall  be  fonvarded  l)y  mail  to  the  Stated  Clerk 
of  the  General  Assemhly  as  soon  as  they  can  be  prepared,  and 
certainly  Ix'fore  the  tenth  of  May.  They  shall  include  one  years 
operation  of  the  churches  within  tlie  bounds  of  the  Presljyteries 
up  to  first  of  April  in  each  year. 

These  regulations  shall  supersede  all  oihers  on  this  suhject 
Adoj)ted. — 187  3,  p.  34.  ^ 

[h]   Fiscal  i/rar  closes  Decciiihrr  -Usf. 

After  a  conference  with  the  Committees  on  Church  Government, 
Overtures,  and  Kducation,  we  recommend  that  you  make  the 
fiscal  ye-ar  coincide  with  the  calendar  year,  and  that  this  fiscal 
year  close  with  December  31,  18i)7.  ^\'e  suggest  that  you  require 
all  of  your  Boards,  Presl)yteries.  Synods,  and  church  Sessions  to 
conform  to  this  order.     Ado])ted. — 189T,  p.  oo. 

That,  inasmuch  as  the  iiseal  year  lias  been  nuule  to  coincide 
with  the  calendar  year,  each  I'resljvteiw  sludl  pay  ta.\  on  the 
number  of  ^linisters  and  churches  reported  in  the  Assembly  Min- 
utes, and  this  tax  shall  fall  due  July  1st.  at  wliic-h  time  the 
Stated  Clerk  of  the  Assembly  sliall  send  a  iinancial  statement 
to  each  Presbyterial  Treasurer.     Adopted. — 181)8.  ]).  ()3. 

17.  No  titles  to  be  printed  after  names. 

The  following  resolution  was  a(b)[»li(l:  h'esdlrrd.  Tluit  in  the 
Minutes,  ])oth  written  and  jirinted.  of  this  (ieneral  Assemljly,  no 
academic  or  honorary  titles  shall  be  used. — 1881.  p.  T. 

Besolved.  That  in  the  Minutes,  both  written  and  printed,  of 
this  General  Assem])ly.  no  academic  or  honorary  titles  shall  be 
used.      Adopted.— 1882.  p.   7. 


224  PART  IV.,  CHURCH  COURTS. 

J  8.  Free    entertainment    should    be    provided   for   com- 
missioners, only. 

Tlie  following  resolution  was  adopted:  Besolved,  That  it  ia 
the  sense  of  this  General  Assembly  that  those  oii'ering  gratuitous 
entertainment  to  our  General  Assemblies  should  not  attempt  to 
provide  gratnitously  for  others  than  members  of  the  Assembly 
and  those  officially  connected  with  ibe  business  thereof. — 1881, 
p.  40. 

19.  Gathering  Statistics. 

The  following  preamble  and  resolution  were  adopted: 
Whereas,  A  correct  knowledge  of  the  statistics  of  our  Church 
is  of  great  im})ortance  to  us,  and  wherea.s  all  former  efforts  to 
acquire  the  same  have  failed, 

Besolved,  therefore,  That  this  General  Assembly  will  most 
urgently  request  each  and  every  Presbytery  under  its  care  to  make 
it  the  duty  of  its  Stated  Clerk  to  ascertain,  during  the  interval 
between  the  Fall  session  of  1848,  and  the  Spring  session  of  1849, 
the  number  of  communicants  within  the  bounds  of  said  Presby- 
tery, together  with  the  number  of  ordained  ministers,  licentiates, 
and  candidates  for  the  ministry,  as  well  as  the  number  of  con- 
gregations, and  that  each  Presl)ytery  transmit  a  copy  of  the  same 
to  the  next  General  Assembly,  by  its  commissioners. — 1848,  p.  20. 

Whereas,  Numerous  efforts  have  been  made  to  obtain  a  full 
statistical  report  of  the  Church,  and  all  having  failed: 

Resolved,  That  Brother  Milton  Bird  be  and  he  is  hereby  con- 
stituted a  standing  committee  on  the  statistics  of  the  Church; 
and  that  it  be  liis  dut}"  to  correspond  with  all  the  Presbyteries 
of  our  Church,  until  he  shall  be  pre])ared  to  make  a  complete 
statistical  report  of  all  ministers,  licentiates,  candidates,  congre- 
gations, and  members  in  our  communion.  And  be  it  further 
resolved,  that  all  previous  resolutions  touching  the  subject  be,  and 
they  are  hereby,  repealed.     Adopted. — 1849,  p.  17. 

Resolved,  That  the  General  Assembly  recommend  to  each  of  her 
Presbyteries,  the  following  rule,  viz.,  that  the  Moderator  cbosen 


Till-:  CEXERAL  ASSEMBLY.  225 

at.  the  Fall  ^;os?ion  lie  rtMjUJi'cd.  citlier  liy  lettor  or  otlionvisie.  to 
obtain  a  correct  statistical  re}>ort  of  all  the  congregations  of  the 
PresbyteiT.  and  re])ort  the  same  to  the  Spring  session;  immediately 
after  which  he  shall  forward  the  same  to  the  Stated  Clerk  of  the 
General  Assemhlv.  the  Preshyten'  paying  all  postage  necessary 
to  furnish  said  information.     Adopted. — 1S51.  p.   2". 

Hesdlvcd.  That  the  Sta.ted  Clerk  he,  and  he  is  hereby,  instrticted 
to  pre})are  blanks  that  will  enable  the  churches  to  niaki'  full  and 
complete  reports  to  the  Presbyteries,  the  Presbyteries  to  the  Synods, 
and  the  Synods  to  the  Ceneral  Assembly. 

Resolrech  That  the  lioard  of  Publication  Ijc  instructed  to  print 
and  kee])  constantly  on  hand  a  su])|)ly  of  these  blanks. 

Resolved,  That  the  churches  use  the  blanks  in  making  their 
reports  to  the  Presbyteries,  the  Presbyteries  in  making  their  re- 
ports to  the  Synods,  the  Synods  to  the  General  Assembly. 

Resolved.  That  each  Preshyten",  at  its  Spring  session,  fill  up  a 
blank  and  send  it.  up  to  the  General  Assembly  by  its  commis- 
sioners or  otherwise.      Ado])ti'd. — JSo^.   ]».   20. 

J^csolvcd.  That  the  several  Presbyteries  be  and  are  hereby  recom- 
mended to  furni.sh  themselves  with  blank  forms  of  reports,  printed 
as  per  order  of  the  Assembly,  and  make  their  annual  report  to 
the  Sta.ted  Clerk  of  the  Assemldy,  at  an  early  period  after  the 
meeting  of  the  Presbytery  next  preceding  the  Assembly.  Adopted. 
— lSo3,  p.  55. 

Res(dved,  That  the  Staled  Clerk  have  pid)lished  with  the  Minutes 
a  statistical  re])ort.  whenevei-  he  may  1)0  able  to  secure  one  which 
may  be  approxinuitely  correct;  and  whenever  necessary  to  do  so, 
he  will  ])lace  himself  \n  direct  connnunication  with  the  church 
Sessions.     Ado])ted. — ISTT.  ]>.  3~). 

Resdlved.  That  this  General  Asseml)ly  ask  the  Presbyteries 
throughout  the  Church  to  demand  of  their  Stated  Clerks  full  and 
complete  statistical  I'Cj^oi-ts  fi-oni  the  congregations  within  their 
jurisdictions.     Ado]>te(l. — ISSi,  ]).  ?>i. 

The  s]»ecial  Committee  on  Statistical  Tables  sulimitted  the  fol- 
lowing report,  which  was  adopted: 
15 


226  •       PART  II'.,  CHCRCH  COURTS. 

We  live  in  an  age  of  organization.  In  all  directions  there  is 
unity  of  purpose  and  concentration  of  action.  The  Church  must 
keep  alu-east  of  the  times  in  order  that  it  may  be  most  effectual. 
In  reporting  the  work  (jf  the  Clnircli,  ii  is  well,  as  has  been  the 
custom,  to  show  aggregates  hy  Presbyteries;  licnce,  we  would  recom- 
mend that  the  numerical  and  financial  exhibit  by  Presbyteries 
1)6  continued  as  heretofore. 

\\\\{  in  the  o])inion  of  your  Committee  the  time  has  come  when 
the  Church  needs  a  detailed  report  by  congregations.  The  Boards 
feel  keenly  the  need  of  such  an  exhibit  in  order  that  the  most 
effective  work  may  be  done  in  their  respective  quarters.  Such  an 
exhibit  would,  in  the  judgment  of  your  Committee,  be  of  great 
service  to  the  Presbyteries  and  Synods  in  bringing  the  churches 
in  their  ])ounds  up  to  their  full  ability.  The  Committee  submit 
herewith  the  following  form  for  such  a  table,  and  recommend 
that,  if  it  is  adopted,  the  ^Moderator  and  Stated  Clerk  of  this 
General  Assembly,  together  with  a  representative  from  each  Board, 
be  authorized  to  make  any  minor  alteration  in  eillu'r  of  the  tal)les 
that  may  be  found  necessary  to  fully  cany  out  ihe  spirit  lierein 
contemplated,  also  that  the  form  ado])t('d  be  printed  in  the  Min- 
utes of  this  General  Assembly,  as  information  to  the  Church  con- 
cerning the  statistics  to  be  reported  a  year  lu-nce. — 1S.S9.  p.   49. 

20.  A  directory  of  ministers  in  the  Church. 

Resolved,  That  a  Committee  of  three  be  raised  to  prepare  for 
])ublication.  in  conneetion  with  the  Minutes  of  this  Assembly,  a 
ministerial  directory.    Adopted. — 1854,  p.  10. 

21.  A  mortuary  list  of  ministers  to  be  printed. 

Iiesdlri'd.  That  llie  seveial  Presbyteries  be,  and  they  are  hereby 
requested,  to  uuike  out  a  list,  at  theii'  Fall  sessions,  in  1845,  and 
biennially  thereaftei'.  of  the  names  of  all  the  candidates,  licentiates, 
and  ordained  ministeis.  who  have  at  any  time  died  in  their  re- 
spective bounds,  specifying  their  age,  the  date  of  their  death, 
and  the  length  of  time  they  have  been  connected  with  the  Pres- 
bytery.    Siich  list  shall  accompany  the  minutes  of  Presbytery  to 


THE  CEXERAL  ASSEMBLY.  227 

SjTioJ,  there  to  be  embodied  in  the  Synod ".>  records  and  for- 
warded to  the  General  Assembly,  to  be  formed  into  a  general 
schedule  for  publication.    Adopted.— 1845.  p.  363.  MSS. 

Ee.solred.  That  in  the  phnted  Minutes  of  this  General  Assembly^ 
one  page,  or  nioie  if  necessary,  shall  be  set  apart  as  a  memorial 
page,  on  whiih  shall  be  printed  the  names  of  deceased  ministers 
properly  re])orted   to  the   .Stated   Clerk.      Adijptcd. — 18T2.   p.    "^3. 

22.  Dr.  Bcard^s  theory  of  the  Trinity  commended. 

The  report  of  the  committee  on  memorial  fi'om  ^liami  Presby- 
tery was  concurred  in  by  a  rising  vote,  no  one  voting  in  the 
negative.     Said  report  is  as  follows: 

Your  Committee  to  whom  was  referred  the  memorial  from  Miami 
Presbytery,  touching  the  doctrine  of  the  Trinity  as  taught  in  Dr, 
Beard's  Lectui-es  on  Theology,  have  had  the  subject  under  prayer- 
ful consideraliou.  and  we  submit  the  following: 

We  find  Dr.  Beard's  theoiy  of  the  Trinity,  as  taught  in  his 
Lectures  on  Theology,  in  perfect  harmony  with  the  doctrine  as 
held  by  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,  and  set  forth  in 
its  Confession  of  Fciith.  Chapter  II.,  Section  3.  and  it  is  also  in 
strict  conformity  with  the  "Word  of  God. 

We  reeommend  it  to  all  the  members  of  the  Cumberland  Pres- 
byterian Church  as  a  clear  elucidation  of  the  doctrine  of  the 
Trinity.— 18::.  p.  33. 

23.  Dr.  Blake's  Theology  Condensed  commended. 

The  following  resolution  was  adopted:  ir///'?T<7.s\  It  is  very  im- 
portant that  our  membership  be  thoroughly  indoctrinated  in  the 
theology  of  oui-  Church:  and,  ^Vlicreas.  "Theology  Condensed," 
brought  out  by  I^ev.  T.  C.  Blake,  contains  a  clear  statement  of 
the  doctrines  dear  to  the  hearts  of  Cumberland  Presbyterians;  and, 
Mlicrea!<.  The  arrangement  of  said  ])ook  renders  it  a  very  con- 
venient and  suitable  text-book  for  Sunday-schools;  therefore, 
ResoJveil.  That  this  General  Assembly  recommends  said  book  to 
the  favorable  consideration  of  all  our  people  and  of  all  our  Sun- 
day-school workers  as  a  valuable  assistant  in  their  work. — 1881^ 
p.  39. 


228  PART  II'..   CHLRCH  COURTS. 

24.  Deliverances  on  Sanctification. 

The  following  report  was  adojitetl: 

The  Coiiuuitlee  on  Overtures  have  hatl  under  eonsideration  lh« 
memorial  I'rom  the  Synod  of  Illinois,  iu  which  the  General  As- 
semblv  is  asked  to  interpret  the  meaning  of  Section  5G  of  the 
Confession  of    Faith,   touching   the  sul)ject  of  sanctification. 

The  ([uestiun  in  this  memorial  is  one  which,  in  our  opinion, 
moic  projierly  addresses  itself  to  the  Presbytery,  which  has  the 
••power  to  condemn  erroneous  opinions  which  injure  the  purity 
or  ])ea.ce  of  the  Church;  to  resolve  (piestions  of  doctrine  and  dis- 
cipline seriously  and  reasonal)ly  j>roposed."  (See  Constitution.  Sec- 
tion 31.)  While  we  recognize  the  power  of  the  Cieneral  Assembly 
''to  hear  Icslimony  against  error  in  doctrine,  and  inmiorality  in 
])ractice.  injuriously  affecting  the  church;  to  decide  all  controver- 
sies i-cspecting  doctrine  and  disci])line;  to  give  its  advice  and  in- 
struction in  conformity  to  the  government  of  the  Church  in  all 
i-ases  sul)mittcd  to  if  (see  Constitution.  Section  t3),  we  deem 
it  im])roi)er  for  you  to  exercise  that  ])Ower  in  this  case,  inasmuch 
as  the  i'reshvteries  themselves,  in  the  adoption  of  the  Confession 
of  i'"aith.  cvideiuiy  declined  to  make  a  more  ex])licit  statement 
of  the  doctrine  of  sanctification.  Any  deliverance  upon  this  sub- 
ject should  he  more  than  an  opinion.  If  made  at  all.  it  should 
involve  a  change  of  the  Confession  itself,  whicii  cau  be  attaiued 
<mly  through  constitutional  channels. — 1891.  pp.  l-").  IG. 

The  following  ]'e])ort  was  adojited: 

Your  Committee  has  had  l)efore  it  two  memorials  on  the  sub- 
ject of  sanctification.  One  of  these  is  a  simple  request  from 
Gregory  Preshytery.  memorializing  your  venerahle  court  to  "'make 
a.  deliverance  concerning  the  doctrine  of  sanctification  as  taught 
in  the  Bible.""  The  other  is  a  memorial  from  Charlotte  Presby- 
tery, in  which  it  is  stated  that  a  resolution  was  ado})ted  l>y  that 
Presbytery,  asking  the  General  A^sembly  to  ••make  a  deliverance 
on  the  subject:""  and  in  addition.  (iuite  an  amount  of  matter  is 
given,  setting  forth  that  the  Confession  of  Faith  does  not  define 
sanctification:  that  confusion  exists  among  the  churches  as  to 
the  teachings  of  our  Church  on  the  subject:  that  a  particular  case 


THE  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY.  229 

oi'  trouble  has  arisen,  iu  the  Presbjiery,  Iroiu  that  body*  refusing 
to  license  a  young  man  to  preach,  who  believes  that  sanetitication 
is  a  work  wrought  "■su1jse(|ueiit  to  conversion."  and  that  the  be- 
liever is  enabled  to  "live  \oid  of  offense  toward  God  and  be- 
licA^ers;"  and  that  several  niinisleis  of  the  I'resbytery  believe  and 
teach  that  siinctilication  is  a  "second  or  distinct  work  of  grace." 
It  is  also  stated  that  the  young  brother  over  whom  there  is  con- 
tention in  the  Ti-esbytery.  declares  that  he  does  not  hold  to  the 
doctrine  of  sinless  perfec-tion.  l)iit  teaclies  that  the  believer  can 
be  "entirely  sanctiticd."  just  what  this  lerui  includes,  not  being 
defined. 

Our  Confession  of  Faith  has  a  sluui  section  on  sanetitication, 
which  declares  that  it  is  a  doctrine  of  the  Holy  Scriptures,  that 
believers  should  avail  themselves  of  its  benefits;  that  "a  state  of 
sinless  perfection  in  this  life  is  not  amhorizL'd  by  the  Scriptures. 
and  is  a  dogma  of  dangerous  tendency."  The  pai'ticular  passages 
of  Scri])tu]-e  ])roof-te-\ts  quoted  in  the  Confession,  set  forth  the 
doc-trine  in  its  s})ii'itual  and  practical  aspects.  Now,  in  view  of 
these  facts  and  of  the  memorials  bcfoie  us,  yottr  Committee 
])resents  the  folhiwing,  and  recommends  its  ado})tion: 

(Jur  ConTession  of  Faith  declai-es  tliat  sanetitication  is  (1)  a 
liil)]e  doctrine;  (2)  it  is  involved  in  union  willi  Christ  (see  Cate- 
chism, answer  34);  and  (3)  therefore  it  is  not  a  "second  blessing." 
conferred  after  regeneration.  Therefore,  those  who  teach  that 
sanetitication  is  a  wm-k  or  state  of  "sinless  perfection.""  or  a  "second 
l)lessing."  obtained  apart  from  tlu'  work  of  the  TToly  Spirit  in 
regeneration,  teach  o])inious  contrary  to  the  Confession  of  Faith, 
and  those  who  insist  u])on  teaching  these  opinions,  to  the  disturb- 
ance of  tlie  churches,  are  gnilty  of  great  wnuig.  and  if  they  ])er- 
sist  in  so  doing,  should  1)0  dealt  with  by  the  pro]ier  authorities. 
This  statement  is  not  to  be  interpreted  as  confounding  sanetitica- 
tion with  I'egeneration  or  with  justification. — 189().  ])p.  46.  -47. 

Vtlicrca^.  It  is  ])e]icved  by  many  of  our  brethren  that  we  need 
a  clear-cut  and  l)etter  defined  statement  of  the  doctrine  of  sancti- 
fication.  in  onr  Confession  of  Faith;  therefore. 

Tiofiolveil.  That  R.  Y.  Foster.  D.D..  M.  B.  DeWitt.  D.D..  Kev. 
B.  G.  Mitchell,  and  TJev.  Chas.  ]\Iantou.  be  appointed  a  Committee 


230  PART  II'.,  CHURCH  COURTS. 

to  lormulale  the  duclriiial  views  ol'  llie  Cumberland  Presbyterian 
Church  on  the  doctrine  of  :^anctilit•ation,  and  report  to  the  next 
meeting"  of  tliis  liody;  and  if  it  meet  the  Assendjly's  views,  let  it 
be  sent  down  to  the  I'reshyteiies  for  eoniirmation,  and  if  con- 
firmed by  them,  il  i^  lo  be  inserted  in  our  Confession  of  i'aitli, 
in  lien  of  the  j)iesent  statement.     Adopted. — 18'J(),  pp.  Gl,  62. 

The  Special  Committee.  aj)pointed  according   to  the   foregoing, 
presented  the  following   rejioit.  and  action  on  the  whole  (jUestion 
was  indefinitely  postponed: 
To  the  Ceneral  Assembly  tif  ihe  Cumbei'land  Presl)ylerian  Church, 

in  session  at  Chicago.  111.: 

Deau  Fatheks  and  liKETHKEN: — On  pages  Gl  and  G2  of  the 
Minutes  of  the  Ceneral  xVssembly  for  l8iJG  there  is  a  record  of 
an  order  of  your  venerable  body.  aj)j)oinling  a  committee  of 
four,  consisting  of  K.  V.  Foster.  .M.  \\.  UeWitt.  1>.  C.  Mitchell  and 
Charles  Manton,  "to  formulate  the  doctrinal  views  of  the  Cum- 
berland Presbylerian  Chuich  on  the  doctrine  of  saiictiiication," 
and,  report  to  the  next  meeting  of  the  Assemiiiy.  with  the  intent 
to  submission  of  the  statement  as  a  confessiomd  article  foi'  rati- 
fication by  the  Presbyteries.  On  investigation  of  the  subject  by 
yonr  Committee,  il  was  ascertained  that  an  agreement  on  such 
an  article  as  was  projjosed  by  the  Assembly  c-.ould  not  be  reached. 
owing  to  dift'erences  of  views  l»y  members  of  ihe  Committee.  Two 
mend)ers  of  said  Connnittee  fully  accorded  on  a  statement  which 
Avas  submitted  to  the  othei-  two  nuMubers.  who  dissented  from  the 
views  taken,  and  tbeict'oi'f  could  not  sign  the  report  for  trans- 
mission to  your  veneral)le  body.  In  consideiation  of  this  em- 
barrassing situation,  your  Committee  dei'ius  il  ])rudent  to  sul)mit 
the  matter  to  the  eiitii'e  discretion  of  the  (ieneral  Assembly,  either 
for  further  effort  at  hnrmony  of  views  for  submission  to  your 
veneral)le  body  at  a  future  meeting,  or  else  for  dismission  of  the 
subject  from  the  Assembly's  attention  until  a  lime  may  arrive 
Avhich  shall  jiresent  a  calmer  state  of  mind  in  the  Church  for 
liarmonious  action  on  this  im])ortant  subject.  In  eithei-  case,  the 
members  of  yonr  Committee  will  reverently  bow  to  the  will  of 
the  highest  court  of  the  Church  in  whatever  form,  or  by  whom- 
soever, that  will  mav  be  best  accomplished. 


tup:  gkneral  assembly.  231 

Owing  to  the  ditiereiices  of  views  ascertained  by  coiTespoudence, 
and  also  owing  to  the  distances  apart  of  membcis  of  the  Committee, 
no  meeting  was  held  by  your  Committee,  althongli  such  a  meeting 
was  proposed  by  the  Chairman. 

Praying  the  divine  blessing  on  all  your  deliberaiions,  wc  re- 
main most  faithfully  your  servants  in  the  Lord, 

E.    A'.    LOSTEE, 

M.  13.  DeWitt, 
B.  G.  Mitchell, 

ChAKLES     M ANTON. 

—1897,  pp.  31,  33. 

25.  Attitude  of  the    General    Assembly   toward   other 

Churches, 

Constitution,  Section  43. — The  General  Assembly  shall  have 
the  power  to  correspond  with  other  Churches. 

This  General  Assembly  entertains  the  kindest  feelings  towards 
all  evangelical  denominations  of  Christians,  and  is  ready,  when 
the  door  may  (ijjen,  to  enter  into  such  corres])ondence  and  re- 
lations with  them  as  shall  more  efl'ectively  oppose  the  kingdom 
of  darkness,  and  promote  pure  religion  and  the  cause  of  Christ 
in  the  world. — 1S4:.  ]..  (i(i!t.  MSS. 

Whereas.  We  believe  all  true  Christians  are  united  in  one  Spir- 
itual Church,  having  one  (iod.  one  Holy  Spirit,  one  Faith,  one 
hope  and  one  love,  and  one  great  Captain  of  their  salvation, 
the  Lord  Jesus  Chrisi.  lliougli  \\()rsbi])i]ig  under  different  names 
and  forming  s'arious  Churches,  all  tending  to  promote  the  glory 
of  God  and  the  salvation  of  innnortal  souls.  ;ind. 

Whereas.  It  has  been  the  unifonn  ])ractice  of  tbe  Cumberland 
Presbyterian  Church  to  hold  fellowsbi])  with  all  evangelical 
Churches  of  Christ  in  the  adminisi ration  of  the  ordinances  of  the 
house  of  God:  and. 

Wliereas.  further.  We  believe  that  difference  in  the  names,  dis- 
cipline, and  usages  of  God's  children,  constitutes  no  sufficient  bar- 
rier to  union  and  fellowshi]i.  but.  that  the  interest  of  the  great 
and  glorious  cause  in  which  we  are  all  engaged  re(|uires  harmony, 


232  PART  I W,  CHURCH  COURTS. 

brotherly   love,   aiul    union   among   the   C'hurehe.s   of   (fod.   there- 
fore. 

liesolved,  Jiy  the  General  Assembly  oi  tlie  Cumberland  Pre*jby- 
teriaii  Church,  that  we  most  cheerful]},  as  Christians,  recom- 
mend to  all  the  evangelical  Churches  of  Christ,  of  whatever  name 
or  order,  a  strict  union  and  concert  of  effort,  for  the  promotion 
of  the  kingdom  of  Christ,  the  glory  of  Cod.  and  the  salvation 
of  immortal  souls. — 1845,   pj).   2o0-2o8,  M.SvS. 

The  following  was  coucurred  m: 

We  rejoice  in  the  Ixjlief  that  (Jod  in  his  providence  is  working 
out  the  difficult  problem  of  Christian  and  fraternal  intercourse. 
We  trust  a  sweetening  leaf  from  the  tree  of  friendship  will  soon 
be  cast  into  the  bitter  waters  of  religious  contention.  If  we  love 
the  cause  of  religion  lei  us  always  endeavor  to  keep  the  unity 
of  the  Spirit  in  the  bonds  of  peace.  This  is  our  high  privilege. 
as  well  as  our  bounden  duty.  \\'e  aie  happy  to  see  that  the 
attention  of  Cliristendom  is  now  being  turned  to  this  subject. 
We  view  with  delight  the  labors  of  not  a  few  of. the  noble  minds 
and  warm  hearts  in  oui'  own  and  foicign  countries,  in  the  cause 
of  Christian  union.  If  asperities  and  bigotry  of  Christians  are 
not  altogether  softent'(l  and  ixunoved.  the  effect  will  surely  not  be 
good  on  the  rising  generations.  Tx^t  the  gloi-ious  woi'k  Ijegin  with 
individuals,  and  work  its  way  onwai'd.  This  would  add  much  to 
the  vitality  and  strength  of  sound  Protestant  religion.  \t  would 
be  well  foi'  evangelical  denominations  lo  open  and  sustain  a  regular 
ecclesiastical  inteix-ourse  Ijy  sending  delegates  to  the  stated  meet- 
ings of  each  othei'"s  highest  judicature^;,  who  could  be  ix'ceived 
as  advisory  members.  Such  a  practice  now  exists  between  some 
Protestant  denominations,  and  it  is  thought  it  is  attended  witli 
very  ha]»])y  effects,  and  should,  therefore,  be  extended  to  others, 
so  far  as  it  is  practicable. 

Although  we  are  a  young  denomination,  yet  we  slinuld  feel  an 
interest,  and  bear  a  part,  in  forwarding  nnion  and  friendly  inter- 
course among  Chnstians.— 1840.  pp.  478-482.  :\rSS. 

Whereas,  The  Gospel  of  Jesus  Christ  proposes  a  unity  of  feeling, 
and  concert  of  action,  among  all  evangelical  Christians,  and  where- 
as this  unity  of  feeling  and  concert  of  action  always  has  been, 
and  is  now.  desired  bv  the  Cumberland  Presbvterian  Church. 


THE  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY.  23S 

llesulced,  therefore,  That,  wliilf  we  icconuueiid  to  our  miuisters 
and  iiiembership  that.  they,  upon  all  suitable  oeeasious,  shall 
present  our  distinetive  doctrines,  we  also  reeonimend,  at  the  same 
time,  that  they  shall  eultivate  fraternal  intercourse  with  all  Chris- 
tians and  hold  themselves  in  readiness  at  all  times  to  meet  them 
upon   the   ])lati'orm  of   Christian   alliance. 

Re^iilved,  :<Jd.  That  while  we  are  ready  tO'  reciprocate  fraternal 
feelings  alike  with  all  Christians,  yet  seeing  that  the  great  Pres- 
byterian family  hold  alike  the  same  church  government,  and  that 
in  their  oral  addresx-^es  they  are  doctrinally  converging  to  the 
same  standpoint,  the  sovereignly  of  God  and  the  agency  of  man 
both  alike  exercised  and  secured  in  the  salvation  of  the  sinner, 
we  cherish  the  fond  hoj)e  that  the  day  is  not  far  distant  when 
the  entire  family  shall  be  represented  in  one  General  Assembly. 
Adopted.— 18(50.  pp.  29,  30. 

(1 )  The  General  AssEArBi.y  roNDUCTS  eraterxal  correspox- 

DEXCE. 

^\"hpreil!<.  The  (ieneral  Synod  of  the  Evangelical  Lutheran 
Church,  at  its  sessions  of  lS3o,  expressed  a  disjwsition  to  culti- 
vate a  friendly  and  Christian  intercourse  with  the  Cumberland 
Pre^^hyterian  Church,  and  we  believe  that  it  is  the  duty  of  all 
who  hold  the  Head  Christ,  and  are  em])loyed  in  pronu:)ting  the 
interests  of  the  Redeenu^r's  Kingdom  among  guilty  men,  to  cul- 
tivate a  s])int  of  love  and  union;  therefore. 

Fesnlred,  That  we  do  most  heartily  reciprocate  the  Christian 
sentiments  ent^ertained  towards  our  Church  by  our  sister  denomi- 
nation, and  that  the  Stated  Clerk  of  this  Assembly  be  directed  to 
forward  to  the  Secretarv'  of  the  General  Synod  of  the  Evangelical 
Lutheran  ("hurch  a  copy  of  this  resolution,  and  through  that 
gentleman,  propose  to  that  reA'erend  body  that  some  plan  for 
the  interchange  of  delegates  betwixt  the  two  bodies  shall  be  de- 
vised.    Ado])ted.— 1836,  p.  276.  MSS. 

}Yhereas.  It  wottld  promote  harmony,  confirm  and  stren.gthen 
the  friendly  relations  so  happily  now  existing  betw^een  the  Pres- 
byterian Church  in  the  United  States  of  America  and  ours,  to 
keep  up  a  friendly  interchange  of  delegates  to  the  General  As- 
semblies of  each  other:  therefore. 


234  PART  II'.,  CHURCH  COURTS. 

liesulvcij.  TluU  this  General  Assembly  will  now  ])roeeed  to  elect 
a  dek'gaie  to  attend  tlie  next  General  Asseiiihly  ol'  the  Presbyterian 
C'liureh  (New  Seliool)  of  tho  I'liiled  State's  of  Aim'riea. — 1S.")().  p.  7. 

Ji'i'.solrcil.  That  a  standing-  coinniittee  of  thiec  lie  raised  on  the 
siil)jeet  nf  a  IViciidly  t()ni's])()iidence  with  the  higiicr  judieatories 
of  othei'  (hurclu's.  and  to  reeonnnend  delegates  lor  the  eonfirma- 
lion  of  tile  Gem'ral  Assembly.     Ad<)])ted. — 18.")4.  p.  !). 

Wlii'vi'dx.  It  is  (lcsiial)lc  that  a  fraternal  eorrospondence  be  main- 
tained lu'twcen  iinr  Cliiircli  and  other  branches  of  the  Presbyterian 
family:  tberefoi'e, 

licsiilvi'd.  That  Ibis  Assembly  a]ipoint  a  committee  to  select  dele- 
gates to  tliose  bodies  with  wIkhii  we  are  already  in  cniTespondence, 
and  also  to  the   l^vangelical    I^uthei'an   Church.      Ado])ted. — 1S69, 

p.  2r. 

'I'he  (ienei'al  Assend)ly  has  t'ondueled  correspondence  with  the 
following  bodies: 

{(i)   General  A.^.^cnihli/   of   llic    ['rvshijlcriaii    Clnnrli.    Xrir    Schoah 

[h)    Gene'ral   A.'<sr)iihh/    af    llir    Prcshijlcruni    Uhuirli.    Old    l-^cJiool. 

(r)    Uiiifrd  Si/iiad  af  llw   PrrsJn/trriai}   Chiirrh. 

(//)  (Iriii-ral  A.'<.s('iiih1i/  of  llw  Preshyterian  Clnircli  in  flic  UnHed 
Stales. 

{(')  Gt'iir-ral  Asscinhh/  of  llic  Prcsliylrriau  Clnircli  in  the  United 
States  of  America. 

(/)  General  Asscndtlji  of  the  Ci(nd)r-rtand  Prestujlnian  Church, 
(^(dored. 

(;/)   Conference   of   the   Evanijelical   Union    of   Scotland. 

{h)   National  Council  of  the  Conyreijational  Churches. 

(i)   General  Synod  of   the   Erangelical  Lutheran    Church. 

ij)   Gene-rat   Conference  of   the   Methodist    Protestant   Church. 

(/,')    Gene-rat  Conference  of  the   Methodist    Episcopal   Church. 

(t)   Grnc-rat  Conference  of  the  Methodist  Ejiiscopal  Church.  South. 

fNoTH. — Sinei'  the  f'nnd)erland  Presliyterian  Chni-ch  is  a  mem- 
ber of  •"The  Alliance  of  the  l^eformed  Chnrches  thronghout  the 
^^'^lrld  Holding  the  Presbyterian  System."  it  may  also  be  said  to 
be  in  correspondence  with  all  the  other  Chnrches.  over  eighty 
ill   inimber.  holding  meml)er<1ii])  in   the   Alliance. — J.  Y.   S.] 


THE  GEXERAL  ASSEMBLY.  2:J5 

Metliodt^  oi'  coiKiucUiig  coirespuiidenoe.  At  lirsl  it  was  eus- 
iomar}'  to  conduct  tliis  corrcs})ondciice  thiouyh  Iralcriial  dclegulcs, 
who,  in  person,  bore  the  messages  from  the  Ijodies  they  re^jre- 
.sented. 

This  phui  was  changed  in  lcS80,  when  thic  foHowing  was  a(h)|)ted: 

Jt'csdlrecL  That  in  the  I'liture  the  currespoiuk'nce  on  the  })art  of 

tlie    (ieneral    Assembly    of    this    Church    with    other    ecch'siastical 

bodies,   shall   l>e   written,   instead   of   by   delegates   attending   said 

bodies. — 1880.  ]).  13. 

On  motion,  it  was  oi'dered  that  hereafter  correspondence  be- 
tween this  General  Assembly  and  other  ecclesiastical  bodies  be 
•conducted,  on  the  part  of  the  General  Assembly,  l)y  the  Stated 
•Clerk.— 1884,  }).  :U. 

The  Assend)ly  ado})ted  the  following: 

We  recommend  that  your  Stated  Clerk  forward  by  telegraph 
the  Christian  greetings  of  the  Assembly  to  the  Assemblies  of  the 
'Churches   with   which  you  are  in   correspondence. — 1893.   ]>.    19. 

(2)    The    General    Assembly    makes    attemtts    at    Okganic 

Union. 

The  Cuml)erland  Presbytery,  and.  later,  the  Cund)erland  Synod, 
oxpi-essed  sentiments  in  favor  of  a  reunion  befoi-e  the  General 
Assembly  was  organized,  as  the  following  extracts  from  their 
records  show: 

We  woidd  just  add.  that  we  have  it  in  view  as  a  Presbytery  to 
make  another  pro])osition  to  the  Synod  of  Kentucky,  or  some 
other  Svnod.  for  a  reunion.  If  we  can  ohtain  it  without  violating 
onr  natural  and  scriptural  rights,  it  will  meet  the  most  ardent 
wish  of  our  hearts. — From  "Circnlar  Lefler"  nf  CiiniheHand  J^rcs- 
hyiery.  ISIO.  p.   IJ/.     See  ]).  18  of  this  book. 

That  the  Church  has  been  true  to  the  foregoing  declaration, 
is  clearlv  proved  fidui  the  following  deliverances  of  the  Cumber- 
land Presbytery,  then  of  the  Cnm1)erland  Synod,  and  finally  of 
the  General  Assembly. 

Whereas,  The  Presbytery  has  seen  a  communication  from  a 
committee  appointed  by  the  West  Tennessee  Presbytery,  to  some 


236  J\IRT  n\,  CHURCH  cor RTS. 

of  oin-  brethren,  the  object  of  wliich  is  .said  to  bo  an  adjustment 
of  our  diiferenccs;  therefore, 

Besolved,  That  Messrs.  Bell  and  Porter  are  hereby  authorized  to 
inform  said  eoniuiittee  thai  this  Presbytery  agree  to  name  a  com- 
mittee to  meet  a  hke  coniniittee  appointed  by  the  West  Tennessee 
and  Muhlenburg  Presbyteries,  conjointly,  at  any  time  and  place 
said  Presbyteries  will  appoint,  in  order"  to  confer  on  the  subject 
of  reunion  and  otlier  matters  relative  to  that  hannony  that  should 
exist  among  the  membei's  and  ])eople  of  Jesus  Christ. — From 
Minutes  of  CuDihcrland  J^rcshijlerij.  Oclnher.  IS]  I. 

Wliereas.  This  Presbytery,  in  their  "Circular  Letter,"  said  it 
was  their  intent idu,  at  a  proper  time,  to  a])]ily  lu  the  Synod  of 
Kentuck}',  or  some  cthei'  Synod,  for  a  reunion,  but.  on  reflection, 
finding  that  the  judicatures  most  pro})er  to  apply  to  were  the 
Presbyteries  of  ^luhlenburg  and  West  Tennessee;  and  whereas, 
our  Presbytery  have  made  such  application  to  the  above  Church 
judicatures,  which  a[iplication  h.as  lutt  been  acceded  to  on  their 
part;  and  whereas,  instead  of  manifesting  a  spirit  of  reconciliation, 
our  brethren  composing  a  majority  of  the  above  Prcsljyteries  have 
judicially  and  officially  shut  the  door  against  the  two  bodies'  eom- 
muning  together; 

Jhsoh'ccL  therefore.  As  the  opinion  of  this  Presbytery,  that  we 
have  in  substance  complied  with  our  declaration  in  the  "Circular 
Letter,"  on  the  subject  of  a  reunion. 

2.  That,  as  the  opinion  of  this  Presljytery,  the  ^luhlenlniig  ami 
West  Tennessee  Presbytci-ies  have  elosed  any  jn-ospeet.  at  present, 
of  a  reunion  between  the  two  bodies. 

.'].  That  this  Prosbytei'y  have  always  been,  and  expects  always 
to  ])e,  ready  and  willing  for  union  with  the  genei'al  Presbyterian 
Church,  on  Gosjiel  principles. 

The  Presbytery  unanimously  adophd  the  above  resolutions. — 
Fmm  Minutes  nf  (' nmhc-rland  rrestii/leri/.  ynremtter.  ]S1.2. 

Cumberland  Piesbytery  has  made  every  reasonable  effort  to  be 
reunited  to  the  general  Presbyterian  Church. — From  Minnies  of 
CunitKrland  Prrstii/lrry.  Aprit,  1813. 

W]ie7-e(is,  The  committee  ap])oiuted  by  live  Svnod  of  Tennessee 
to  confer  with  a  similar  eommittee  lo  lie  aiinoiiited   liv  ihe  Svnod 


THE  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY.  237 

of  the  Cnmbcrland  Prepbyioiian  C'liiirch.  to  propose  a  plan  of 
friendly  eoiTeppondciu-c  belween  the  two  bodies,  has  written  to  a 
member  of  the  C'nni1)erland  Synod,  transmitting  a  preamble  and 
resolution  of  the  Synod  of  Tennessee;  and.  whereas,  this  Synod, 
waiving  the  usual  form  of  ceremony,  after  due  deliberation,  has 
determined  to  act  on  said  letter  and  resolutions,  in  consideration 
of  a  reason  assigned  in  said  letter,  why  the  communication  was 
made  to  an  indJA'idual  instead  of  this  liody:  and  whereas,  this 
Synod  has  ever  b^'en  desirous  of  cultivating  harmony  and  friendly 
correspondence  with  all  the  denominations  of  Christians  who  hold 
the  fundamental  doctrines  of  religion,  and  feeling  a  desire  to 
reciprocate  the  friendly  views  of  the  Synod  of  Tennessee  as  ex- 
pressed in  an  extract  from  the  minutes. 

liesoIreJ.  That  the  IJev.  ]\Iessis.  liobert  Donnell.  IJeuben  Bur- 
row, and  Albert  0.  Gibson  be  appointed  a  couimittee  to  receive 
communications  from  a  siniila]'  c(uumittee  ap})ointed  by  the  Synod 
of  Tennessee,  to  cai'i'y  on  a  fi'iendly  correspondence  with  them. — 
Frani  Minutes  "/'  ( ' innhcrldiul  Synod,  Xovcmhcr.  1S.27. 

HcsiilreJ,  That,  while  we  are  ready  to  reciprocate  fraternal 
feelings  alike  with  all  C'hi'istians.  yet  seeing  that  the  great  Pres- 
byterian family  embrace  alike  the  sanu'  church  government,  and 
that  in  their  oral  addresses  they  are  ductrinally  converging  to  the 
same  standpoint,  the  sovereignly  of  (lod  and  the  agency  of  man  both 
alike  exercised  and  secured  in  the  salvation  of  the  sinner,  we 
cherish  the  fond  ho])e  that  the  day  is  not  far  distant  when  the 
entin'  family  shall  be  represented  in  one  Cieneral  Assembly. 
Adopted.— ISGO,  p.  29. 

{(i)  WilJi  Ihe  General  Assciiihlij  nf  llie  Preshi/lrrlmi  Clnurh  in  Ilia 
Lniled  Slates.      (SunlJicrn    /'feshi/lerian.) 

Eev.  T.  D.  ^Vithersi)oon,  the  delegate  from  the  Presbyterian 
Church  in  the  United  States,  was  introduced  by  IJev.  C.  A.  Davis, 
D.D.,  and  addressed  the  Ceneral  Asscml)ly  upon  the  subject  of  his 
mission,  which  was  responded  to  in  an  appropriate  manner  by  the 
Moderator. 

Thereu]K»n  the  following  resolution,  as  amended,  was  ado]ited: 


238  J'AA'T  Jl.,  CHL/^CN  COL'J^TS. 

Resolved,  That  a  committee,  consisling  of  mimsters,  S.  G.  Bur- 
ney,  D.i).;  B.  \V.  McDoiinoldj  D.D.;  Lee  lioy  Woods,  J.  B.  Logaii, 
r.  G.  Rea;  and  J'^lders  A.  J.  McLain  and  Wni.  li.  IloUidav.  be 
appointed  to  prepare  a  suitaljle  minute  tor  the  action  ol  i\n^  As- 
semhlv  on  the  subject  ot  organic  union  with  tiie  Breshyterian 
Church,  as  brought  betoie  tliis  body  by  Bev.  T.  1).  Witherspoon, 
the  Corresponding  Delegate  trom  the  General  Assemhly  of  said  , 
Church,  and  Bev.  C.  A.  Davis.  \).\}.,  the  delegate  from  our  last 
General  Assemhly  to  that  l)ody. — 18(u,  p.   ItJ. 

The  Committee  to  whom  was  assigned  the  duty  of  jjrepai'ing  a 
minute  e.\j)ressive  of  the  sense  of  this  Assembly  touching  the  sub- 
ject of  organic  union  between  the  Bresbyterian  Church  in  the 
United  States  and  the  Cumherlaud  Bresl)yterian  Church,  respect- 
fully submit  the  following: 

Believing  that  much  of  the  estraugeiueiit,  not  to  say  the  an- 
tagonism, so  often  painfully  manifest  among  Christians  of  dif- 
ferent denominations  results  in  a  large  degree  from  a  criminal 
want  of  a  more  full  and  free  ex]iression  of  tlieir  common  symjwthies 
in  a  common  cause,  this  Assembly  cherishes,  witli  the  liveliest 
emotions  of  gratitude  to  the  Great  Head  of  the  Church,  every 
movement  which  tends  to  l)ring  his  people,  by  a  better  under- 
standing of  eacli  others  faith  and  feelings,  into  closer  bonds  of 
fellowship  and  love. 

The  Assembly,  therefore,  imjielled.  not  less  by  a  sincere  Chris- 
tian fellowship  than  by  the  sterner  convictions  of  Christian  duty, 
heartily  reci]u-ocates  every  advance  towards  a  better  understanding 
and  a  more  intimate  relationship  between  the  Churches  in  ques- 
tion. The  cordial  Christian  greetings,  so  opportunely  introduced 
and  so  happily  continued  by  means  of  inter-denominational  com- 
missioners between  the  two  Churches,  cannot  fail  to  be  accepted 
as  an  indication  that  an  all-wise  and  gracious  Brovidence  has 
some  gi'eat  and  nolde  end  in  view,  m  the  accomplishment  of  whicli 
lie  proposes  to  employ  the  mutual  syin])athy  and  co-operation  of 
these  different  branches  of  his  Church  militant. 

At  present  none  can  say  whether  that  symjrathy  and  Christian 
co-operation  are  to  l)e  developed,  and  that  great  mission  is  to  ])e 
accomplished,   through   one   organic    body,   animated    by   one   in- 


THE  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY.  239 

dividual  liie  and  inarcliing  in  glorious  triumph  uudtir  one  baltle- 
ilag;  or  through  two  orgajiizationt-,  each  distinetly  nuuked  by  fconie 
jjecidiarity  ol'  its  own,  yet  both  one  in  spirit  and  in  purpose, 
marching  side  by  side  under  banners  slightly  ditl'erent  in  texture, 
Init  both  inscribed  with  the  same  glorious  motto:  "By  grace, 
through  faith,  are  ye  saved." 

It  may  be  truthfully  said  that  the  points  of  agreement  between 
the  two  Chtu'ches  are  numerous  and  vital;  or  i-ather,  that  the 
points  of  disiigreement  are  l)Ut  few  and  these  all  confessedly  among 
tlie  non-essentials  of  our  holy  religion. 

The  government  of  the  two  Churches  is  substantially  the  same, 
both  strictly  Presbyterian,  having  the  same  judicatories,  each  with 
its  functions  and  limitations  clearly  sitecified;  both  giving  utter- 
ance to  the  same  great  conservative  principles  touching  the  si)ir- 
ituality  and  sacredness  of  the  Church  and  disclaiming  the  legiti- 
macy of  all  alliances  between  ecclesiastical  courts  and  civil  govern- 
ments: having  the  same  order  of  ministers  and  the  same  modes 
of  induction  into  the  sacred  ofiice;  the  same  forms  of  religious 
worship;  the  same  faith  and  practice  in  relation  to  the  authority, 
nature,  and  designs  of  the  Sacraments  of  Bajitism  and  the  Lord's 
Supper. 

The  formulas  of  faith  are  very  similar,  each  Church  possessing, 
it  is  mutually  conceded,  all  that  is  vital  to  the  Christian  system. 
The  modes  of  ])resenting  the  doctrines  of  the  Cross  by  the  min- 
isters of  the  two  Churches  are  generally  so  similar  that  even  the 
well  informed  often  fail  to  discovei'  any  difl'creiutv  In  revivals 
of  religion  their  ministers  and  mcrahei'S  often  co-operate  with  great 
harmony  and  success.  All  these  ])oints  of  agieeuient,  and  the 
number  might  he  much  increased,  tend  to  stimidate  to  organic 
miion.  There  are  nevertheless  points  of  difference  which  make 
us  in  some  respects  two  i)eo])le  iu  somethiuy  besides  the 
name. 

It  is  a  historic  fact  which  lives  upon  the  records  of  both 
Churches,  and  which  neither  could  suppress  if  it  would,  that  the 
founders  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  T'liurch.  when  receiv- 
ing ordination  at  the  hands  of  the  mother  Church,  did  except  the 
doctrine  of  fatality,  or  unconditional  election  and  reprobation,  as 
it  was  believed  to  be  taught  in  the  Westminster  standards.     The 


240  PART  IV.,  CHURCH  COURTS. 

doctrine  of  divine  decrees  as  set  forth  in  those  standards  was 
regarded  hy  them  as  a  high  mystery  which  they  modestly  declined 
to  accept.  Tliis  doctrine,  as  then  ex]>ouii(le(l  l)y  the  Prcshyterian 
Church,  soon  came  to  he  considered  hy  oui'  fathers  as  somclhing 
more  llian  a  mysteiy.  and  in  the  comi)ilation  of  their  Confession 
of  I'aith  it  was  excluded  from   cheir  creed. 

It  would  l)e  uncandid,  and  therefore  criminal  in  a  very  high 
degree  in  this  As8cm])ly.  in  conducting  tliis  corresiiondence.  to 
attemjil  to  disguise  the  fact  that  they,  to-day.  after  an  experience 
of  more  tlian  half  a  century,  do  adhere  iiiosi  sincerely  to  the 
faith  of  their  fathers.  Whatever  anxiety  or  willingness  iliere  may 
be,  on 'the  part  of  the  Church  re])iesenic(l  l)y  this  Assendjly.  for 
organic  union,  results  most  certainly  not  frdni  any  dissatisfaction 
eitlier  with  the  doctrines  or  usages  of  the  Cliurch.  hut  purely 
from  other  causes. 

Perfect  unity  in  opinion  is  not  to  he  expected  onong  men  on 
any  subject,  aJid  slight  shades  of  doctrinal  dilTeienees  doubtless 
exist;  but  it  is  fully  believed  that  there  is  h^ss  doctrinal  dis- 
hai'mony  in  this  Church  than  in  any  other  hody  of  Christians  of 
equal  numbers.  Many  of  our  fatheis  were  reared  up  in  ili'e 
Pi-eshyterian  ('liui'cb.  'I'liey  loved  the  t ime-lionored  standai'ds  of 
that  Church,  and  in  changing  theii-  eeclesiastieal  status  caiTied 
witli  them,  as  a  patrimonial  inheritance,  eveiything  which  they 
deemed  vital  to  the  new  organization.  Theii'  sons  also  find  in 
those  time-honored  standards  much  which  they  reverently  love  as 
sac  red  and  venerable,  not  because  of  its  age  only,  but  especially 
because  it  is  true. 

The  Churcli  represented  by  this  Assembly  feels  that  it  is  not  ar- 
rogaiit  in  claiming,  with  other  mem]>ers  of  the  Presbvterian  family, 
a  common  inliciitance  in  the  rich  historic  memories  of  Presbyte- 
rian ism. 

Rut  it  should  not  he  forgotten  that  Presbyterianism  itself  is 
young,  while  the  errors  against  which  it  protests  have  at  least 
the  venerableness  of  age:  and  that  young  Presbyterianism  rests  on 
truths  as  old  as  the  Bible.  Whether  the  points  of  difference  be- 
tween the  Churches  are  of  such  importance  as  to  justifv  them  be- 
fore Cod  and  the  world,  in  i>erpetuating  their  separate  organiza- 
tions, is  the  great  question  to  be  decided. 


THE  GEXERAL  ASSEMBLY.  241 

Witlu'iil  ])reju(lgiii>;-  tlie  (|iiesii()]i,  it  is  admissi1)le  to  state,  that 
in  most,  if  not  in  all  the  great  leading  Churches  of  Christendom, 
tlie  e.^trenies  of  Calvinism  and  Arminianism  are  found  to  exist, 
and  that  thp  ek'meiits  if  llicse  gi'eal  ajitagouistie  systems  are  more 
o)'  less  aclive;  vel  ihfsc  Cliurehes,  tolerating  tliesc  doctrinal  differ- 
ences for  the  sake  of  the  advantages  of  organic  nnity,  remain  one 
and  undivided. 

Their  chief  hond  of  union  is  neither  doctrinal  tmity  nor  ritnalis- 
iic  liarmony:  l)iit  it  is  simply  the  devotion  to  their  Chtirch  organi- 
zation and  a  eounnon  inheritance  in  the  historic  treasures  of  the 
pas(.  Thi^  hond.  hy  asserting  its  dominion  over  the  imj)idsions  of 
heart  rathei'  than  ovcj'  the  frigid.  unsym])athetic  dictates  of  an  in- 
cxoiT.hk  logic,  proves  too  strong  to  he  severed  hy  doctrinal  differ- 
ences. 

"Bnt  the  two  Churches  in  (juci^tion  certainly  do  ap])roach  each 
other  very  nearly:  and  if  the  two  were  to-day  made  organically 
one,  without  the  moditicatitm  of  a  single  sentence  in  either  Con- 
fession of  Faith,  thei'e  would  still  he  more  doctrinal  unity  aiul  more 
real  homogeneousness  than  actually  exist  in  some  Churches  whose 
nnity  is  their  proudest  hoast. 

Already  agreeing  in  fundamentals,  as  is  mutually  conceded,  if 
the}^  ca,n  consent  to  mutual  concession  and  toleration  in  non-essen- 
tials, chai'ity  in  all  things,  then  thei'e  can  he  not  only  organic  un- 
ion, hut  thoi'ough  homogeneousness  and  earnest  co-operation 
throughout  the  whole  hody. 

AYithout  mutual  concession  it  is  jiresunied  that  the  union  is  out 
of  the  ([uestion;  for  it  is  not  undei'stotid  that  eithei'  ('hurt^i  is  dis- 
satisfied with  itself. 

Without  tolei'ati(m.  the  hody  wouhl  he  convulsed  with  strife  and 
witlunit  homogeneousness  it  would  he  wanting  in  an  essential  ela- 
ment  of  effective  evangelism,  and  the  organic  union  would  he  ren- 
dered nearly  valueless.  This  Assenihly  will  not  undertake  even  to 
indicate  the  inestimahle  hlessings  to  the  Church  and  to  the  world 
consequent  upon  such  a  union:  and  certainly  will  not  he  slow  in 
acceding  to  any  terms  of  Tinion  which  are  in  themselves  not  incon- 
sistent with  justice  and  honor  and  their  clear  convictions  of 
truth. 

Tn  reference  to  the  whole  suhject  this  Assemhly  devoutly  ])rays 
that  the  will  of  God  may  he  done. 

16 


242  PART  IV.,  CHURCH  COURTS. 

This  Assembly  is  unwilling  to  close  its  utterances  on  tliis  subject 
without  expressing  their  cordial  approbation  of  the  earnest  and  able 
manner  in  which  Kev.  T.  D.  Witherspoon  discharged  his  duties  as 
Commissioner  from  the  General  Assembl}'  of  his  Church. 

In  conclusion  the  Committee  recommend  the  appointment  of  a 
committee  of  six,  to  confer  with  a  similar  committee  appointed  by 
the  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Clunch,  at  such  times  and  places 
as  the  two  committees  may  determine,  and  to  report  the  results  of 
this  conference  to  the  next  Assembly.         S.  C.  Buuney, 

Lee  Eoy  Woods, 

B.    W.   McUONNOLD, 

P.  (i.  Eea, 

W.    II.    PlOLLIDAY. 

— 18(i7,  pp.  91-90. 

The  forei:oing  report  was  concurred  in  and  the  following  Com- 
mittee of  Conference  was  appointed,  according  to  the  recommen- 
dation: 

S.  G.  Burney,  D.D.,  Reuben  Burrow,  D.D..  A.  J.  Baird,  U.D., 
Milton  Bird,  D.D.,  Lee  Boy  Woods  and  J.  W.  Poindexter.— 1867, 
p.  34. 

The  CJommittee  ai)pointed  by  the  General  xissembly  of  1867  to 
confer  with  a  committee  api)ointed  by  the  General  Assembly  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States,  in  regard  to  organic 
union,  respectfully  submit  to  your  Reverend  Body  the  following 
rejiort : 

The  Committees  in  question  met  in  the  city  of  Memi)his,  Ten- 
nessee, on  the  fifth  day  of  August,  1867. 

A  detailed  and  faithful  report,  both  of  the  individu^d  !al>ors  and 
also  the  joint  labors  of  these  Committees,  is  hei'ewith  sul)mitted  a^ 
a  part  of  this  re})ort. 

Your  Committee  beg  leave  to  re]iort  that  they  entered  upon  the 
important  and  delicate  work  assigned  them  with  a  deep  sense  of 
the  responsibility  of  their  position  and  earnestly  sought  to  acquit 
themselves  in  a  manner  acceptable  to  God  and  to  the  C'hurch 
which  they  have  the  honor  to  represent. 

Believing  that  organic  union  on  terms  acoe]»table  and  honorable 
alike  to  both  Churches  would  be  eminentlv  conducive  to  the  glorv 


THE  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY.  24cr 

ol"  God  in  the  promotion  ol'  the  eaiise  of  om*  eomniun  Christianity, 
your  Coininittee  frankly  proposed,  in  the  spirit  of  fraternal  conces- 
sion, the  surrender  of  their  preferences  on  ail  the  points  of  ditfer- 
ence  between  the  two  Churches,  except  on  those  points  which  per- 
tain to  the  sul)ject  of  foreordination.  and  its  cognate  doctrines; 
concerning  w Inch,  as  will  be  seen  from  the  papers  herewith  submit- 
ted, your  Committee  demanded  only  that  the  teachings  of  the 
Cumberland  l'resl)yterian  Confession  of  Failh  should  be  accepted; 
or,  as  a  sul)sliluU'  fur  this  ])ro])osition.  thai  ihe  doctrinal  symbols- 
of  the  Presl)ytei'ian  Confession  of  Faith  would  be  accepted,  if  so- 
modified  as  to  exclude  all  phraseology  and  niode--^  of  expression 
w'hich  may  be  ])lausibly  construed  to  favor  the  doctrine  of  neces- 
sity or  fatality. 

The  proceedings  of  the  Committees  of  Coi'respondence  were 
submitted,  according  to  agreement,  to  the  General  Assembly  of 
the  Presb3'terian  Church,  convened  in  the  city  of  Xashville,  Ten- 
nessee, in  Xoveml)er  last.  The  terms  of  union  received  from  that 
Eeverend  Body  a  highly  res])ectful,  and  your  Committee  doubt  not, 
a  prayerful  consideration.  They,  however,  rejected  the  terms  nl 
union.  To  tli's  coui'sc  they  were  im])elled  by  considerations  sat- 
isfactory to  tlienisi'lvcs.  and  to  which  no  man.  nor  l:)ody  of  men, 
outside  of  their  own  communion,  has  any  right  to  object.  The 
Committee  deem  it  diie  to  the  courtesy  of  that  Reverend  Body  to 
append  their  final  action  in  the  case,  which  is  as  follows: 

'*The  Assembly  hereby  records  its  devout  acknowdedgment  to 
the  (ireat  Head  of  the  Church,  for  the  manifest  tokens  of  his 
presence  with  the  Committees  of  Conference  duiiug  tbeir  delib- 
erations, as  evinced  by  the  spirit  of  Christian  candor,  forbearance, 
and  love  displayed  by  both  parties  in  their  entire  proceedings.  The 
Assembly  regards  the  object  for  wliich  the  Committees  were  ap- 
pointed as  one  fully  worthy  (jf  the  earnest  endeavors  and  con- 
tinued prayers  of  (iod's  ])eople  in  l)oth  branches  of  the  Church 
represented  in  the  Committees.  But  at  the  same  time,  it  is 
compelled,  in  view  of  the  terms  foi-  t'tfecting  any  organic  union, 
suggested  b}'  the  Committee  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian 
Church,  to  declare,  that,  regarding  the  present  period  as  one  ver\' 
unfavorable  for  making  changes  in  our  standards  of  faith  and 
practice,  it  is  more  es]iecially  so  for  effecting  changes  so  materially 


244  PART  TV.,  CHURCH  COURTS. 

modifying,  the  system  of  tloctrine  which  has  for  centuries  been 
llie  distinguishing  jjccuharily  and  eminent  gh)ry  ol'  the  Presby- 
terian Churclies,  hoth  of  Kuro])c  and  tiie  United  States. 

"Besolved.  That  the  entire  documents  submitted  to  the  Assembly 
by  the  C'onmiittee  1)e  priiited  in  the  x\.ppendix  to  the  Minutes  of 
the  Assend)ly.""  See  Minutes  of  Presbyterian  Assembly  for  1867, 
jiage  13;"). 

[Note. — See  also  Presbyterian  Digest.  188T.  l)y  W.  A.  Alexander, 
pp.  439,  440.— J.  Y.  S.  I 

The  failure  to  consummate  the  iniion  your  Committee  fully 
believe  to  ])e  a  matter  of  dee})  regret  to  many  of  the  j)eo])le  of 
Cod  in  both  Churches.  The  corres])ondence,  however,  has  not 
been  without  good  results,  for  which  botli  ('hurclu's  have  abundant 
cause  of  gratitude  to  the  Giver  of  all  good.  It  has  manifestly 
contributed  already  in  both  Churches  to  a  better  understanding 
of  their  respective  theological  slaiul[ioints.  and  to  a  higher  ap- 
preciation of  each  othei'"s  denominational  animus,  and  by  these 
means  has  done  much  to  foster  a  spirit  of  mutual  recognition, 
sym|>athy,  and  co-oj)eiation. 

Your  Committee  are  unwilling  to  close  this  report  without 
expressing  nu)st  devoutly  the  hope  that  God,  our  common  father, 
in  his  all-wise  and  gracious  providence,  may  render  this  fraternal 
inter-tlenomiuational  eofrcsijondt'uce  a  I'ich  and  lasting  blessing  to 
both  C*hurche^.  ami  that  his  all-abounding  grace  may  crown  with 
abundant  success  their  individual  and  their  mutual  efforts  to  pro- 
mote the  cause  of  pure  and  uiulefiled  religion  throughout  the 
world.  liespectfully  submitted, 

S.  G.  BuRNKV.  (luiirman, 

Milton  P>iiii), 

A.  J.  Baii;j>. 

j.  w.   poindkxter, 

Bee  Roy  Woods. 

MINUTES  OF  JOINT  COMMITTEK. 

Mempliis,  Tenn.,  Monday.  August  •"').  186r,  10  o'clock  a.m. 
According    to    previous    arrangement    between    the    respective 
Chaii-men,    the  Committees  on  Organic  Union  appointed  by  the 
Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States,  at  her  General  Assem- 


THE  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY.  245 

bl}'  in  Xovcmber.  18GG.  and  l)y  the  C'nnil)erlan(l  Presbyterian 
Churt-li  at  lior  (Jenei'al  Assembly  in  May,  ISdT,  met  in  the  First 
Ctimberhmd  Pi'esbyterian  Chnreh  in  this  city. 

Of  the  Committee  of  the  Presbyterian  C'lnirch.  there  were  pres- 
ent. Rev.  J.  0.  Stedman,  D.D..  Cliairman.  Rev.  A.  II.  Kerr,  D.D., 
and  Rev.  T.  D.  Witherspoon:  al)sent.  Rev.  J.  II.  ({ray,  D.D.,  Rev. 
J.  X.  Waddel,  D.D.,  and  Rev.  J.  A.  Lyon.  D.D. 

Of  the  Committee  of  the  C'nmberhmd  Presl)yterian  Church,  tliere 
were  present.  Rev.  8.  C  Burney.  D.D.,  Chaiiinan,  Rev.  A.  J. 
Baird,  D.D.,  and  Rev.  J.  AV.  Poindexter;  absent.  Rev.  R.  Burrow. 
D.D.,  Rev.  M.  Bird,  D.D.,  and  Rev.  Lee  Roy  Woods. 

On  motion  of  Dr.  Burne}',  Dr.  Stedman  was  appointed  Chairman 
of  the  Joint  Committee,  and  Dr.  lUiird,  Ch'rk. 

The  meeting  was  o^jcned  l)y  singing  llie  l-'Sitli  Psalm,  third 
part,  and  prayer  by  the  Rev.  J.  W.  Poindexter. 

After  some  very  pleasant  interchange  of  Christian  sentiment 
as  to  the  o1)ject  of  this  conference,  Drs.  Stedman  and  Baird  were 
aj)i)ointed  a  Committee,  and  rejiorted  the  following  preamble  and 
resolutions  for  the  guidance  and  government  of  this  conference, 
which  were  unanimously  adopted. 

As  Committees  a])pointed  by  our  ies})ective  (leneral  Assem- 
blies to  take  into  consideration  the  ginve  and  ini])ortant  subject  of 
organic  union,  we  recommend  for  your  adojrtion  the  following 
resolutions: 

Besolvcil.  L  That  we  believe  tliat  tlie  glory  of  God  in  the 
strengthening  and  edification  of  the  Cliuitli  and  the  salvation  of 
sinners,  would  be  greatly  ])iomoted  by  the  union  of  these  Churches. 
It  would  gi-eatly  extend  the  tisefulness  of  llie  means  which  are 
now  em])loyed  in  the  Churcbi  to  accom])lisli  ils  purposes: 

I^'irst.  The  same  schools  and  1)oards  would  supply  both  denom- 
inations, if  united,  that  are  now  employed  by  each  one  separately. 

Second.  In  many  of  our  smaller  towns  and  villages  we  are  tr5dng 
to  sustain  two  ministers  and  churches  where  there  is  not  more 
ability  than  would  sustain  one. 

BesulreJ,  2.  That  we  believe  that  these  Churches,  being  both 
Presbyterian,  the  same  in  government,  and  the  doctrines  of  both 
being  based  upon  the  Westminster  Standards,  should  at  once  unite. 
unless   the   differences   l)etween    them   are  indeed    insin-mountablo. 


246  PAR  T  IV.,  CH  URCH  CO  URTS. 

Resolved,  o.  That  all  lornial  staleiiieiits  of  diiroiL'iK-L'h;  betweeu 
these  Comniitteois  shall  be  reduced  to  writing,  and  a  correct  copy 
of  the  same,  shall  be  furnished  to  each  L'oniniittee,  with  a  full 
copy  of  the  minutes  of  all  these  meetings,  certified  hy  the  Chair- 
men of  the  resijcctive  Committees,  to  1)e  w-^^^A  \)\  them  as  they  may 
deem  best.  J-    0.    Stedmax, 

A.    J.    IjAlttD. 

C'dvuiiillee. 
On  motion,  the  Joint  Committee  took  recess  until  .'5  o'clock  ikiu. 

o  o'clock  ji.m. 

Members  ])resent  as  in  the  forenoon,  licv.  J.  11.  Cray.  l).l)., 
of  the  Committee  of  the  Presl)yterian  Church,  a|)peared  and  took 
his  seat  in  the  ccmference. 

Three  n\cmbers  of  the  Committee  of  the  Cundjerland  Preshy- 
terian  Church  1  cing  ahscnt.  the  Iicv.  1).  \V.  ^IcDonnold,  D.D.. 
IJj.D.,  heing  present,  was  invited  hy  the  meml)ers  [iresent  of  said 
Committee,  and  admitted  l)y  the  courtesy  of  llie  other  Committee, 
to  take  part  in  the  deliljerations. 

Dr.  Gray  oiTered  the  following,  which  was  ado])lcd: 

Resolved.  Thai  each  Committee  now  retii'c  and  consult  among 
themselves,  and  pi'e])are  each  a  statement  of  the  coiulitions  u])on 
which  thcv  Ix'lieve  an  organic  union  may  he  effected  between  the 
two  Churches,  and  report  to-morrow  at  10  o'chick  a.m. 

Closed  with  ])rayer  l)y  the  Chairman. 

Tuesday.  Angnsl   (i.   10  t»'clock   a.m. 

Joint  Committee  met.  ]Mend)Ci's  present  as  on  yesterday. 
Oj>ened  with  singing,  and  prayer  l)y  Dr.  ]\IcDonnold. 

Eev.  J.  X.  Waddel,  D.D.,  of  the  Committee  of  the  Tresby- 
ierian  Church,  a])])eared  and  took  his  seat  in  the  conference. 

The  Comnnttees  of  the  two  Churches  each  jiresented  a  paper  in 
.accordance  with  the  resolution  offered  yesterday  l)y  Dr.  Gray. 

The  pajjcr  of  the  Preshyterian  Committee  was  read  hy  Dr.  Sted- 
3iian,  and  is  as  follows: 

PaPEI?     iSTo.     1     OF    PkESBYTKTU.W     CofMITTEE. 

The  Committee  of  .Confereiu'c  of  the  Presbyterian  Church! 
Avould    resijcctfullv   present   to   ihe   Joint    Commitlce    of   the    two 


THE  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY.  247 

Churches  the  ruliuwiiig  slatemeut  of  the  basis  upon  wiiich,  as  we 
think,  au  oiyaiiie  luuuii  of  the  two  bodies  may  be  eh'eeted: 

1.  It  is  known  to  tlie  l)rethren  of  both  Churches  that  the  orig- 
inal separation  between  the  two  bodies  took  place  in  a  time  of 
great  rehgious  awiikeiiing.  and  conset{iiently  of  great  mental  ex- 
citement. In  such  a  time  there  is  a  natural  tejidency  in  the  nunds 
of  men  to  e.\ti*e:nes,  and  even  the  best  men  do  not  act  witli  the 
same  sober  judgment  and  the  same  prayerfid  delil)ei'ation,  as 
when  under  less  exciting  inliuences.  The  issue  was  made  with  us 
by  the  fathers  of  the  Cund)erland  Presbyterian  Church  upon  the 
grounds,  as  the  records  of  both  Churches  show:  (1)  That  in  our 
doctrinal  standard  "the  idea  of  fatality  is  taught  under  the  high 
and  mysterious  name  of  election  and  re))robatioiK*"  and  (2)  That 
the  disci])line  of  ihe  Church  is  too  rigid  in  re(jiiiring  in  every  case 
a  definite  amount  of  literary  education  as  a  prerequisite  to  minis- 
terial ordination.  The  Committee  are  of  opinion  that  upon  the 
last  of  these  ]>oints  there  is  no  differfuce  between  us;  that  whatever 
may  have  been  the  views  and  the  jiolicy  ot  the  Cundjerland  Pres- 
byterian Church  in  that  early  day,  and  under  the  exigencies  of  the 
times,  the  sentiment  of  the  Church  is  now  mianimons  as  to  the 
necessity  of  an  educated  ministry,  in  the  sense  in  which  onr  stan- 
dards make  it  obligatory.  Upon  the  first  ])oint,  the  Comnnttee 
think  that,  while  thei'e  are  ])robably  some  phrases  in  our  doctrinal 
symbols  which  are  liable  to  misconstruction,  and  which  in  the  ex- 
citing times  to  which  we  refer,  were  misconstrued,  arid  thought  to 
teach  the  idea  of  fatalism:  yet  now  that  the  excitement  has  all 
passed  away,  and  time  has  been  given  foi-  calm  and  dispassionate 
investigation,  on]-  bi-ethren  of  the  Cuud>erland  Presbyterian 
Church  have  been  bionght  to  see  that  it  was  not  the  design  of  our 
Confession  to  teach  the  doctiine  of  fatalism:  that  the  language  of 
even  the  disputed  passages  (hxs  not,  when  fairly  interpreted,  con- 
tain it,  and  that  in  many  other  passages  both  the  fi'ee  agency  of 
the  creature  and  tlie  contingency  of  second  causes  ai'e  distinctly 
asserted:  so  that  upon  this  point  there  remains  no  reason  why  a  un- 
ion between  us  shoidd  not  be  effected. 

2.  Such  being  the  state  of  the  points  originally  at  issue,  and 
feeling  that  a  nnion  of  the  two  bodies  on  some  harmonious  basis 
would  tend  greatly  to  the  promotion  of  the  glory  of  God  and  tlie 


248  PART  IV.,  CHURCH  COURTS. 

advauceiuent  of  the  Kedeemer's  kiiigdoni,  we  would,  a.s  the  repre- 
sentatives of  the  mother  C'liurch,  from  which  our  brethren  with- 
drew, most  cordially  invite  them  to  form  a  union  with  us  u[K)n 
the  basis  of  the  old  standards,  as  they  were  held  I)}-  their  fathers 
and  ours  previous  to  the  sepaiation.  the  same  liberty  in  the  con- 
struction of  those  standards  to  be  given  as  was  then  allowed,  and 
has  since  been  given  in  the  union  of  the  Old  School  and  New 
School  bodies  in  the  South. 

3.  We  ])ropo&e  that  all  ministers  in  regular  standing  in  either  of 
the  Churches  shall  be  enrolled  as  ministers  in  the  united  Church, 
that  all  Pres^bvteiies  entitled  to  i-epreseiitation  in  either  Assembly 
shall  be  entitk'd  to  the  same  representation  in  the  joint  Assembly. 
and  that  to  this  Assendjly  shall  be  assigned  the  duty  of  consolidat- 
ing and  arranging  the  Presbyteries  and  Synods  of  the  united 
Church. 

4.  We  pro])ose  that  all  the  funds  and  all  the  Church  property, 
the  schools,  colleges,  and  the  theological  semijiai'ies  of  the  two 
Churches,  with  all  their  missionaiT  operations,  shall  be  under  the 
control  of  the  (Jeneral  Assend)]y,  constituted  as  above,  and  that 
to  this  As&end)ly  shall  Ije  refei-i'ed  all  (piestions  a|)])ertaining  to  the 
distribution  and  conduct  of  the  sanu3. 

J.    0.    S'lEUMAN,    Chairman. 

The  i)aper  of  the  Cumlx'rland  Presbyterian  Committee  was  read 
by  Dr.  Burney,  and  is  as  follows: 

Paper   Xo.   1   of  Cumberland  Presbyterian   Committee. 

In  consideration  of  the  advantages  of  organic  union  l)etween  the 
two  Churches,  we,  the  Committee  representing  tlie  Cumberland 
Presbyterian  Cliurch,  consent  to  surrender  our  preference  on  the 
following  ])()ints  of  difference: 

1.  We  consent  to  surrender  our  name.  In  this  we  sim])lv  con- 
sent to  make  no  distinctive  history  for  the   future. 

2.  We  consent  to  surrender  our  standards  on  the  sul)ject  of 
ministerial  education,  and  to  adopt  those  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church,  or  such  standards  as  may  be  mutually  acceptable. 

3.  We  consent  to  acce])t  the  standards  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  O'n  all  points  of  difference  in  the  Form  of  Government, 


THE  GEXERAL  ASSEMBLY.  240' 

Discipline,  and  Direeioiy,  ur  s-utli   modification  of  them  as  may 
be  nuituaily  acceptable. 

As  a  condition  precedent  to  these  concessions,  we  respectfidlv 
ask  that  the  Confession  of  Faith  and  Catechism  of  the  Cumber- 
land Presbyterian  Church  shall  be  adoptetl  instead  of  the  Con- 
fession of  Faith  and  Catechism  of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 

Or,  as  an  alternative  to  the  above,  we  agree  to  adopt  the  Con- 
fession of  Faith  and  Catechism  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  modi- 
fied substantially  according  to  the  indications  given  in  a  paper 
herewith  submitted. 

Or,  if  it  shall  appear  more  satisfactor}-  to  our  brethren  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church,  we  consent  to  a  new  com})ilation  upon  the 
basis  of  the  Westminster  standards,  wliich  new  compilation  shall 
exclude  all  [)hraseology  and  modes  of  expression  which  can  i)e 
plausil)ly  construed  to  favor  the  idea  of  fatality  or  necessity. 

We  also  res))ectfully  ask  that  m  the  union  of  the  two  Cluirches 
the  amicable  adjustment  of  the  political  and  sectmnal  issues 
totiching  slavery  and  i-ebellion,  made  by  the  General  Assembly  of 
the  C'umberland  Presbyterian  Church  in  May,  1867,  shall  be 
accepted. 

Paper  accompanying  above. 

Chap.  111.,  of  God's  Eternal   Decrees. 

Section  1.  God  did  from,  ail  eternity  ado})t  the  whole  plan  of 
his  creation  and  providence  with  a  full  knowledge  of  all  the 
events  which  would  transpire  therein,  including  the  sins  of  men 
and  angels.  These  events  he  determined  either  to  biing  to  pass 
by  his  own  direct  and  absolute  agency,  or  tO'  permit  them  to 
come  to  ])ass  in  view  of  the  results  which  his  bounding  and  over- 
ruling ])rovidence  would  bring  out  of  the  whole  plan. 

Sec.  2.  According  to  the  determinate  counsel  and  foreknowl- 
edge of  (Jod.  he  did  from  all  eternity  elect  to  salvation  all  true 
believers  in  .Testis  Christ.  This  election  was  perfectly  definite 
as  to  the  persons  elected  and  also  as  to  their  number;  and  God 
did  in  like  manner  from  eternity  reprobate  to  eternal  perdition 
all  that  finally  reject  Jesus  Christ,  and  this  reprobation  was  also 
definite  as  to  person  and  number. 

Sec.  3.  Those  of  mankind  that  are  predestinated  unto  life.  God. 
before   the  foundation  of  the   world    was  laid,   according   to   his 


250  PART  I\'.,  CHLKCH  COURTS. 

eternal  and  iimnutabk-  jmipufL'  and  tlie  secre't  counsel  and  good 
jileasiire  ^A  his  will,  lialli  cliusen  in  Christ  unto  everlasting  glory, 
out  ui'  mere  free  grace  and  luve,  all  to  tiie  jiraise  of  his  glorious 
grace. 

Sec.  -1.  As  God  lialli  a])pointed  the  elect  unto  glory,  so  liatli  he 
liy  the  etei'nal  and  most  free  purpose  of  his  will,  foreordained 
all  the  means  thereunto.  Wherefore  ihev  who  are  elected,  beiiiu' 
fallen  in  Adam,  aje  redeemed  hy  Christ,  are  effectually  called  unto 
faith  in  Chiist  In  his  Spirit  working  in  due  season,  are  justified, 
adopted,  sanclilied.  and  kept  liy  his  power  through  faith  unto 
salvation. 

Sec.  0.  The  doctrine  of  this  high  mystery  of  predestination  is 
to  l)e  handled  with  special  [)iu(k'iice  and  care  that  men  attending 
the  will  of  God  revealed  in  his  Word  and  yielding  obedience  there- 
unto, may  from  a  ceitainty  of  their  vocation  be  assured  of  their 
eternal  election:  so  shall  this  docliine  afford  matter  of  jirjuse, 
reverence  and  admiiation  of  (iod,  and  of  humility,  diligence  and 
abundant  consolation  ti>  all  that  sincerely  oltey  the  Gospel. 

We  make  I  he  same  references  which  are  made  in  the  Presby- 
terian Confession  of  Faith,  with  the  addition  of  f  Peter,  first 
eha])ter.  second  verse;  and  Ixomans,  eighth  chai>ter  and  twenty- 
ninth  vei"se. 

Of  Chai)ter  A'.,  we  offer  the  following  modification  foi'  section 
fourth: 

Sec.  -f.  The  almighly  powei-,  unsearchable  wisdom,  and  in- 
finite goodness  of  God.  so  far  manifest  themselves  in  his  providence, 
that  it  extendeth  itself  not  only  to  those  acts  which  God  absolutely 
decrees,  but  also  lo  those  which  lu-  permits,  jcjining  with  it  a 
most  wis«e  and  powei'ful  liounding  and  otherwise  ordering  and 
governing  them  in  a  manifold  disjiensa.tion  to  his  own  holy 
ends. 

Cha}»ter  VIII.,  we  offer  the  following  as  a  substitute  for 
section  eight: 

Sec.  .8.  Although  Jesus  Christ  tasted  death  for  every  man, 
according  to  the  Scrijituies.  yet  the  benefits  of  this  death  are 
savingly  applied  to  those  only  who  are  chosen  unto  life  through 
sanctification  of  the  Spirit  and  belief  of  the  truth;  but  to  all 
those  thus  chosen  these  benefits  are  so  a])}ilied  as  to  insure  their 
eternal  salvation. 


THJ-:  UESKRAL  ASSEMJiLY.  251 

We  olt'er  llie  lUlh  eliapter  in  Ur'  C'uinljcrlaiid  i'resljyleriaii 
Ooufeseioii  of  Failli,  iustead  of  tlie  Teiitli  I'hapU'r  iu  the  Pres- 
ijyteriaii  C'oiil'esijioii  of  Faith. 

In  Chapter  X\'1L,  we  olfer  this  change  in  Section  2:  substitute 
for  tlie  phrase  "not  \\\w\\  their  own  free  will."'  the  phrase  "not 
upon  their  own  ability  or  merit." 

Finally,  we  propose  to  modify  certain  expressions  in  the  C'ate- 
cliisms.  so  a.s  to  make  them  correspond  willi  the  changes  in- 
dicated in  reference  to  the  Confession  of  Faitli. 

On  motion  of  Dr.  Gray,  the  Joint  Committee  took  recess,  so 
that  each  separate  Committee  might  retire  and  examine  the 
papers  of  the  other. 

12   o'clock  m. 

Joint  Connnittee  met.  Dr.  Stedman  read  Papei-  No.  2  of  the 
Presbyterian  Conniuttee.  wliich  is  as  follows: 

The  Committee  of  the  Presbyterian  Chnrch  sid)mit  to  the  Joint 
Committee  the  following  statements: 

After  a  full  and  carefid  examination  of  the  i>aper  i)resented 
]bY  the  Connnittee  of  the  Cnmberland  Presbyterian  Church,  we 
are  gratified  to  lind  tha.t  the  ohstachs  to  organic  union  are  not, 
at  the  outset,  of  as  formidable  a  n;Unre  as  we  had  feared  they 
might  he.  and  we  by  no  means  des]iair  of  the  ultimate  accom- 
plishment of  a  union  so  desirable. 

In  refei-ence  to  the  s})ecihc  points  contained  in  the  j'aper  under 
consideration,  we  would  say  that  the  concessions  of  our  brethren 
contained  in  the  first  ])art  of  their  i)a})er,  are  all  that  in  these 
respects  we  coidd  desire. 

In  reference  to  the  modilications  })ro])osed  hy  our  brethren  in 
the  Confession  of  Faith  and  Catechisms  of  our  Church,  we  would 
sav  that  thei'e  are  some  of  the  changes  proposed  which  are  merely 
of  a  verbal  nature,  aud  which  we  l>elieve  we  are  warranted  in 
saying  that  our  Chui'ch  would  be  willing  to  acce])t;  but  there  are 
other  changes  proposed,  so  fundamental  in  their  character,  that 
we  would  not  be  able  to  act  u])on  them  without  further  ins^tnic- 
tions  from  the  General  Assenddy  of  our  Church. 

J.  0.  Stedmax.  ClKiirman. 

On  motion  of  Dr.  Ken-,  the  Joint  Committee  took  recess  to 
tliree  o'clock  p.m. 


352  PART  IW,  CHURCH  COURTS. 

3   o'clock   }).in. 

Joint   (•onniiitU'c   met.      ]\rcinl)crs  present  as   in    forenoon. 

Dr.  ]\IcDonn()l(l  ivad  rii])er  Xo.  2  of  tlie  Cnnil)erlan(]  Presljy- 
terian  Committee,  a>;  tollows: 

We  snl)niil  to  tlie  Joint  Conninttee  onr  I'eply  to  Papei-  Xo.  2 
of  the  Preshytei-ian  C'oniniitlee:  We  are  greatly  gratilied  with 
the  s])int  of  liljerality  .^lujwn  in  lliis  ])aper.  Wln'le  it  assures  us 
that  some  of  the  verhal  niodilications  wctiild  l)e  made,  it  suji,i;ests 
that  part  of  our  paper  a.sks  for  clian;L!t-.<  involving  doctrinal  points 
too  inijiortant  to  he  i-i'sjionded  to  witlunit  reference  to  the  (Jeneral 
Assemld}'.  Therefore,  we  jiropose  that  the  Committee  refer  these 
papers  to  their  (ienenil  Assemhly.  and  ascertain  theic  how  fai'  that 
body  woidd  1)0  willinu-  lo  i)-o  in  the  dii-edinii  indicated  in  these 
papers. 

We  take  this  occasion  to  expi-ess  our  gratification  with  the  spirit 
in  which  these  interviews  havt'  all  heen  coiuludcd,  and  we  now 
express  our  hope  that  the  differences  existing  between  the  two- 
Churclies  are  not  sufTicient  to  kee])  us  long  a]»art. 

S.   (.{.    r)ii;xi:>\   CJuiirmini. 

Dr.  Stednian  read  I'apei"  No.  ;>  of  the  I^reshyteiian  Conunittee, 
in  reply  to  Pa}»er  Xo.  2  of  the  Cumlierland  Pi'csliyterian  Com- 
mittee, as  follows: 

The  Committee  of  the  Presbyterian  (  buicli.  in  re])ly  to  Paper 
Xo.  2  of  the  Cuiid)erland  Presbyterian  Committee,  Mould  sim- 
ply say,  that  in  their  opinion  they  have  now  proceeded 
as  far  as  the  appointment  of  (uir  fiencral  Assemhly  jus- 
tifies, and  we  therefore  recommend  that  we  now  close  our 
conference.  We  would  also  unite  in  the  ho})e  that  the  result  of  the 
joint  conference  will  he  to  bind  us  more  closely  in  the  honds  of 
Christian  fellowshi]>,  and  ultimately  in  such  a  union  u])on  a  com- 
mon l)asis  as  will  be  foi-  the  glory  of  God  and  our  nnited  permanent 
interest  and  prosperity.  J.  0.  Stedman,  Chairman. 

Dr.  Cray  offered  the  following  resolutions,  which  were  unani- 
mously adopted: 

Resolved,  1.  That  this  Joint  Committee  now  close  its  confer- 
ences, and  that  its  minutes  he  referred  by  each  (^ommittee  to  its 
own  General  Assembly. 


THE  CENERAL  ASSEMBLY.  253 

Resolved.  :i.  Tluit  we  ictuiii  our  tlianks  to  Almighty  God  for 
the  luaiiiK'r  in   which   tht'sc   iiiliTvicw  s   \\;i\v  l)een  condutU'd 

Eexolrcd.  ."').  "^rhat  wr  i;(>  hence  Ix'ai'iiii;  witli  us  grateful  and 
prayerful  i-ecolleclious  of  each  othei-.  aud  eai'uestly  j^iraying  the 
Lord  to  ])our  out  his  Sjiirit  u|io;i  ihe  ('hui-ches  which  we  repre- 
sent: and  we  do  ])ray  him  to  grant,  if  il  he  consistent  with 
his  Avill.  that  these  Churches  nuiy  soon  come  together  in  one 
body. 

On  motion  of  I)i-.  AVaddel,  the  Joint  Committee  now  engaged 
in  fen-ent  jirayei-  and  thanksgiving,  in  conformity  with  the  spirit 
of  the  ah'ove  resolution,  led  hy  Eev.  J.   V\' .   Poindexter. 

After  reading  and  apjjroval  of  the  minutes  a.s  recorded,  on  motion 
of  Dr.  Kerr,  the  doiiit  Committee  adjourned  sine  die. 
Closed  with  ]U'ayei'  hy  the  Chairman. 

S.  G.  IUtrney, 
C'hainnan   of  Committee,  on   jiart   of  ( 'iimlicrlaiul    Pi'est)yterian 
Church. 

J.  0.  Sti: U.MAX, 
Chairman  of  Committee  on  jiarl  of  I'l'eshylerian  Church. 

A.  J.  Baied,  Clerk. 
^1868,  pp.  G4-69. 

(&)  With  the  fleitiTii]  Assrnddi/  of  llie  PresJu/h'rinn  Clnirrli  in  the 
United  States  nf  Aiiierini.      {Xarltieni   J'lrstij/lerinn.) 

The  following  from  the  Committee  on  Correspondence  wtxs 
ad o]  I  ted : 

Your  Connuittee  repoil  that  they  have  received  a  telegrapliic 
disjmtch  from  Eev.  A.  .1.  Ilaiicl.  I).l>..  yoiu' corresi)onding  delegate 
to  the  Pref^hvterian  (ieiu'ial  Assemhly.  now  in  session  at  Paltimore, 
from  which  we  learn  that  that  l)ody  has  apjiointed  a  Committee 
on  T'nion.  to  meet  a  similar  committee  to  he  ap])ointed  h}'  this 
General  As^'^emhly.  Your  Committee  recommend,  therefore,  that 
you  }»r(Heed  at  once  to  raise  that  Committee,  and  that  yo\;  inform 
3^ouT  delegate  of  your  action:  also  that  your  Committee  on  Union 
be  comi)osed  of  the  following  named  brethren:  Ministers — 
Richard  P>ea.rd.  D.l)..  Lebanon,  Tenn..  with  Stanf(U'd  G.  P)urney, 
D.D..  Jackson.  Tenn..  alternate:  J.  P,.  :\ritchel].  D.D..  College 
Mound,  Mo.,  with  L.  C.  Eansoni,  ^Memphis,  Tenn.,  alternate;  A. 


254  J'AA'T  Il\,  CHUJ^CH  COLK'JS. 

B.  Miller,  D.U.,  Wayiieshur^-,  Pa.,  with  Samuel  Kichaads,  JJ.D., 
Lincoln,  111.,  alternate;  and  Elders  iJ.  L.  L'aruthers,  Lebanon, 
Tenn.,  with  J.  M.  Howry,  Oxford,  Miss^;.,  alternate;  and  A.  P. 
Stewart,  St.  I^oiiis,  ^Mo..  \\itii  F.  J\I.  Cockrell,  Warrensburg,  Mo., 
alternate. — 18/3,  p.  'Z2. 

The  name  of  A.  J.  liaird,  D.L..  was  added  to  the  Conunittee. 
—1873.  p.  35. 

The  following  resolution  in  referenee  to  organie  union  was 
adopted: 

Resolved.  That  ihe  report  of  the  Committee  on  the  Subject  of 
Union  with  the  I'reshyteaian  Chureh  in  the  United  States  of 
America,  he  puhhshed  with  the  Minutes  of  this  lieneral  Asc^em- 
])ly,  and  it  appearing  from  said  lejjort  that  the  Committee  on 
the  part  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  neither  acce])ted  the  })roposi- 
tion  made  to  it  l)y  our  Committee  as  a  liasis  of  organic  union,  nor 
proposed  any  other  in  lieu  thereof  fui-  the  acceptance  of  our 
Committee;  this  (iene:-al  Assembly,  thei-efore,  without  expressing 
any  opinion  upon  tlu'  phni  of  union  pro|)<ised,  deems  it  inexpedient, 
at  jtresent.  to  continue  said  conference,  and  said  Committee  is  dis- 
charged.—1ST4.  J).  23. 

Following  is  the  repc)rt  of  the  Committee; 
To  the  Mdchralar  of  Ihc  (}ei\eral  Asxcvihli/  of  Ihe  ('tnnherlaiiJ  I'res- 
hylerian    Church.   Springfield,  Mo.: 

The  Committee  api)ointed  by  the  last  General  Assemldy  to 
meet  a  similar  Committee  appointed  by  the  (General  Assembly  of 
the  Pj-esbyterian  Chui'ch  to  confer  on  the  subject  of  a  union  be- 
tween the  two  Churches,   present  the   following   report: 

After  some  correspondence  between  the  Chairmen  of  the  Com- 
mittees, it  was  agreed  that  the  Joint  Committee  should  meet  in 
Xashville.  Tenn.,  February  2o,  1874.  Our  own  Committee,  in 
conformity  with  a  call  of  the  Chairman,  met  at  the  .-^ame  place  on 
the  23d  day  of  February.  The  object  of  this  meeting  was  that 
we  might  come  to  some  understanding  with  regard  to  what  course 
we  should  jjursue.  or  what  i)ro]Josition  we  should  make  to  our 
friends  of  the  other  Committee,  or  whether  we  should  make  any. 
The  result  was,  the  proposition,  in  the  Joint  Committee,  on  our 
part,  which   has  been  before  the  Church   for  some   time,   and  is 


THE  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY.  255 

found  in  the  report  ol'  the  Joint  Committee  herewith  submit- 
ted. 

The  Committee  beg  leave,  however,  to  be  heard  u^xju  a  iew  brief 
considerations  wiueh  governed  them  in  framing  the  proposition, 
Not  to  mention  the  truism  that  union  is  strength  and  disunion 
is  weakness,  nor  the  oft  repeated  argument  of  Romanism  against 
us,  that  our  divisions  are  a  perpetual  proof  that,  as  Protestants, 
we  have  departed  from  the  truth,  we  proceed  to  mention: 

Fii-st.  That  the  Scriptures  are  certainly  very  clear  on  the  sui> 
ject  of  brotherly  kindness,  charity,  mutual  forbearance,  and  the 
necessity  of  eodperafion  in  our  efforts  to  ])romote  the  kingdom 
of  our  dear  Redeemei-.  And  our  Savior  in  his  last  prayer  when 
the  whole  work  of  his  i)rospective  Church  was.  doubtless,  before 
liis  mind,  if  he  did  not  mean  in  his  prayer  that  his  followers 
might  be  one,  in  what  has  (-(uue  to  Ix'  called  organie  union,  where 
outward  circumstances  would  admit  of  it.  he  did  surely  meau  and 
pray  that  there  should  be  such  a  union  amongst  them  as  wimkl 
exclude  the  selfishness  and  ])ride  and  ambition  which  we  too  often 
see  in  the  denominations. 

Secondly.  We  receive  the  impression  that  oui-  fathers  would 
not  have  chosen  to  leave  the  Presbwerian  Church,  if  they  could 
have  been  permitted  to  remain  in  it  in  ]ieaee  and  preach  the 
doctrines  which  they  aftei'wards  embodied  in  their  Confession  of 
Faith.  Their  setting  up  foi'  themselves  was  a  matter  of  life  and 
death.  This  relieved  tlieii-  actions  at  the  time,  relieves  their 
memory  now,  from  the  guilt  and  the  odium  of  scliism. 

Thirdly.  The  feeling  of  good  men  and  the  tendencies  of  the 
present  time,  are  in  the  direction  of  more  fraternal  sympathy  and 
more  earnest  cob})eration  amongst  Christians  of  all  Protestant  de- 
nominations. AVe  all  feel  that  theie  are  dangei's  from  without, 
there  being  an  enemy  sleepk-ss  and  untiring  and  always  ready 
to  assail  us  in  oui-  weak  jioints.  We  ought,  as  fjir  as  we  ean, 
to  strengthen  the  things  within.  Whilst.  lu)wever,  we  may  en- 
deavor to  do  this,  we  aio  not  to  embarrass  and  cripple  ourselves, 
it  is  true,  with  unnatural  and  useless  complication?  of  any  kind. 

Fourthlv.  P>ut  the  usages,  modes  of  worship,  and  general  prin- 
ciples of  government,  in  all  Presbyterian  Churches  in  this  country, 
are  the  same.     In  worship,  therefore,  and  cooperative  action,  there 


^56  PAR T  ir.,  CHUR CM  CO ( 'R  TS. 

needs  }>e  no  friction  resiiltino-  froni  a  connection  between  our- 
selves and  the  Presljvterian  Cliurcli.  If  we  can  agree  In  ijisiu/ree 
in  regard  to  what  se])ara.tes  ns.  and  still  harmonize  onr  efforts  in 
the  things  in  which  we  agree  in  promoting  the  great  interests  of 
the  Ivingdom  of  C*hrist,  it  would  certainly  he  a  gain  to  the  cause 
of  truth  and  righteousness.  The  example  too  would  he  worth 
something. 

fifthly.  When  we  speak  of  (u/reciin/  In  <lhnfiree  u])on  the  (pies- 
tions  which  separate  us.  we  do  uol  lucan  that  we  arc  to  he  I'C- 
sti'icted  and  trammch'd  in  preaching  our  own  doctrines.  The 
pro])Osition  is,  that  if  a  union  takes  place,  we  take  our  Confession 
of  Faith  with  us,  and  that  means  that  we  preach  its  doctrines. 
Our  Preshyterian  tiiends  arc  to  do  the  same  if  they  choose.  We 
agree  not.  to  he  olfendt'd  with  each  other  at  this  course.  Is  not 
such  a  condition  of  things  in  iln'  cxeici<e  of  Christian  forhearauce 
possihle? 

The  foregoing  slalenu-nls  iclate  to  the  theological  differences 
hetween  these  Chui'chcs.  'i'lieic  is  one  point  in  the  matter  of 
government  upon  which  a  grt'al  many  of  our  ministers,  and  per- 
haps others,  will  lie  sensitive.  We  allude  to  ministerial  qualillca- 
tion.  Our  pi-oposition  enduaces  the  l'i-esi)ylerian  rule.  On  this 
suhject  we  j'eason  thus: 

1.  That  we  are  making  gi'eal  eiforls  to  e(hu-ale  up  to  an  equality 
with  the  Preshyterian  standard.  U'e  are  making  lil)eral  jirovisions 
with  a  view  to  this  veiw  end. 

2.  The  Preshytei'ian  rule  adnuts  of  exceptions,  nor  is  it  jirac- 
tically  stringent  in  ivgard  to  those  excejjtions,  if  the  men  who 
claim  the  heneiit  of  them  are  really  |)romising  and   worthy. 

;].  The  right  (d'  judging  in  all  such  cases  is  in  the  hands  of 
the  Preshyterics.  'I'hcy  can  control  and  will  do  it.  (Jood  and 
ju-omising  men,  although  technically  uneducated,  would  not,  we 
helieve,  he  excluded. 

In  presenting  the  foregoing,  we  do  not  wish  to  he  understood 
as  dictating  to  the  Assemhly,  or  as  ottering  an  argument  with  a 
view  of  influencing  its  decisioii  upon  the  (juestion  under  considera- 
tion. We  wish  to  he  distinctly  understood.  The  Committee  have 
a  common  interest  with  the  Church  which  we  represent.  We 
are  not  restlessly  seeking  a  change.     Jf,   however,  in   taking:  such 


THE  CEXERAL  ASSEMBLY.  267 

a  step  as  the  one  proposed,  we  should  probaJjly  ])hice  ourselves 
in  a  wider  field  for  usefulness,  we  should  certainly  consider  with 
thoughtfulness  the  propriety  of  taking  such  a  step.  Let  it  be  un- 
derstood, nevertheless,  that  we  do  not  propose  to  sacrifice  a  single 
interest  or  a  single  doctrine  of  the  C'unil)erland  Preshyteriaji 
Church.  We  jiropo^ie  to  carry  our  men,  our  theology,  our  history, 
our  literature,  what  we  have,  our  hallowed  memoiies  and  the  mem- 
ories of  our  fathers  and  our  mothers,  and  the  traditijns  uf  our 
childhood's  early  days  with  us,  and  embalm  them  with  other  mem- 
ories in  the  United  Church.  If  there  is  a  little  more  fire  on  our 
altars,  as  we  sometimes  self-complacently  say  there  is,  we  propose 
to  carry  that.  We  are  nut  proposing  to  crawl  back  upon  our  knees 
with  earth  upon  our  heads,  and  ropes  around  our  necks  as  guilty 
culprits,  seeking  the  pardon  of  an  offended  authority.  Our  Pres- 
byterian friends  would  despise  us  as  sincerely  as  vre  would  despise 
ourselves,  should  we  pi'esent  ourselves  in  such  an  attitude.  We 
propose  to  go  into  such  a  union  as  is  under  consideration,  if  we 
go  at  all,  in  full  possession  of  our  self-respect.  If  there  should 
be  a  place  for  forgiveness,  we  expect  to  forgive  as  we  would  be 
forgiven. 

We  consider  that  the  Presbyterian  Church  has  a  great  deal  more 
to  surrender  on  the  score  of  Church  prestige  and  all  that  belongs 
to  the  merely  human  as2)ect  of  the  question  than  we  have.  It  is  far 
superior  in  numliers,  in  wealth-,  in  learning,  in  social  position;  it 
has  a  history  running  through  three  hundred  years.  Many  of  the 
lines  of  that  history  are  traced  in  blood.  It  has  numbered  mar- 
tyrs in  its  fold.  We  cannot  despise  such  a  Church.  Whilst  we  may 
dissent  earnestly  from  some  of  its  teachings,  we  are  compelled  to 
resjtect  the  teacher.  Xuw  our  proposition  is,  if  we  make  any 
change  in  the  direction  here  considered,  that  we  stand  side  by  side 
with  this  denomination  upon  the  gTound  of  an  essential  equality. 
Is  not  this  enough  for  us? 

rinally.  We  submit  this  whole  question  to  the  prayerful  con- 
sideration of  the  x\ssembly.  Grave  and  vital  interests  are  involved. 
'\\'e  do  not  advise  haste,  rather  otherwise.  Let  us  take  time,  let  us 
examine  and  consider  the  question  in  all  its  bearings,  looking  to 

the  iiidications  of  Divine  Providence,  endeavoring  to  learn,  if  pos- 
17 


268  PART  IV.,  CHURCH  COURTS. 

Bible,  what  God  would  have  us  to  do.  It  is  to  he  understood,  too, 
that  we  are  only  reporting  ])rogress  and  not  a  final  consummation 
of  anything.  li.  Beard, 

A.  J.  Baird, 
J.  B.  Mitchell, 
A.  B.  jMiller. 

Report  of  Joint  CoMMtTTEE  on  Union. 

The  Connnittees  on  Organic  Union  between  the  Presbyterian 
Church  in  the  United  States  of  America,  and  the  Cumberland 
Presbyterian  Church,  met  in  Joint  session  in  Xashville,  Tenn., 
February  25,  1874,  at  2  o'clock,  p.m. 

There  were  present  Rev.  H.  A.  Nelson,  \).\).,  of  Lane  Seminary, 
Cincinnati,  Ohio;  Rev.  Joseph  T.  Smith,  D.D.,  of  Baltimore,  Md.; 
Rev.  Charles  A.  Dickey,  D.D.,  of  St.  Louis,  Mo.;  Elder  Jacob  S. 
FaiTand,  of  Detroit,  Mich.,  of  the  Committee  from  the  Presby- 
terian Church,  and  Rev.  Richard  Beard,  D.D.,  of  Cumberland. 
University,  Lebanon,  Tenn.;  Rev.  J.  B.  Mitchell,  D.D.,  of  McGee 
College,  College  Mound,  Mo.;  Rev.  A.  J.  Baird,  D.D.,  of  JSTashville, 
Tenn.;  and  Rev.  A.  V>.  Miller,  D.D.,  of  Waynesburg  College, 
Waynesburg,  Pa.,  of  tlie  Committee  of  the  Cumberland  Presby- 
terian Church. 

Dr.  Smith  was  appointed  Chairman,  and  Dr.  Miller,  Secretary 
of  the  Joint  Committee. 

At  the  request  of  the  Chairman,  prayer  was  offered  by  Dr.  Beard. 

After  briefly  alluding  to  the  object  of  the  meeting,  the  Chair- 
man appointed  Dr.  Baird  and  Dr.  Xelson  a  committee  to  report 
resolutions  touching  the  work  of  the  Joint  Committee,  and  for  its 
government  in  the  discharge  of  its  work,  who  submitted  the  fol- 
lowing report,  which  was  adopted: 

Eesolved,  That  in  our  judgment  God  would  be  honored  in  the 
organic  imion  of  the  two  parts  of  his  Church  represented  in  this 
conference;  provided  it  can  be  accomplished  without  the  sacrifice 
of  vital  and  important  truth.  We  believe  that  thereby  the  strength 
and  efficiency  of  our  part  of  Zion  would  be  much  increased. 

1.  In  massing  our  forces  and  means  in  our  schools  and  boards. 

2.  In  economizing  our  pulpit  and  Sabljath  school  labor  and  our 
funds,  especially  in  our  smaller  towns,  villages  and  country  places. 


THE  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY.  250^' 

3.  In  the  blending  of  elements  in  our  ministry  and  membersliip, 
now  standing  somewhat  in  denominational  antagonism,  which 
would,  under  God,  result  in  a  higher  degree  of  spirituality  in  the 
body  thus  united,  and  in  a  more  expansive  usefulness  in  saving 
sinners  than  may  be  expected  in  our  present  relations. 

4.  In  thus  adjusting  ourselves  more  fully  to  our  Savior's  ex- 
pressed reason  why  he  would  have  all  his  jieople  to  be  one  (John 
xvii.),  we  could  with  more  trust  claim  his  all-sufheient  grace  to. 
direct  and  vitalize  all  our  labor  in  his  cause. 

Resolvfd,  That  it  is  our  conviction  tliat  these  two  parts  of  (Jod's 
family,  being  alike  Presl)yterian,  the  same  in  government,  having 
a  striking  oneness  of  sjiirit  and  manner  of  worship,  and  being- 
based  doctrinally  on  the  great  saving  truths  contained  in  the 
Westminster  Standards,  should  unite,  if  such  union  can  be  (jl)lained, 
on  the  conditions  named  in  the  first  resolution. 

Eesolved,  That  either  branch  of  this  Joint  Committee  may,  at 
its  discretion,  present  pro])ositions  for  the  union  of  the  two  bodies 
represented. 

Eesolved,  That  all  propositions,  as  well  as  formal  statements  of 
agrsement  or  difference  between  the  two  bodies  represented,  shall 
be  reduced  to  writing,  and  a  correct  co])y  thereof  shall  be  furn- 
ished to  each  part  of  the  Joint  Committee,  together  with  a  full 
copy  of  the  minutes  of  all  these  meetings  certified  by  the  Chair- 
man and  Secretary,  to  be  submitted  by  them  to  their  respective 
General  Assemblies. 

The  Committee  adjourned  to  meet  at  9  o'clock  on  Thursday 
morning,  2(ith  inst. 

Thursday  Morning. 

The  Joint  Committee  having  convened  at  the  hour  appointed, 
at  the  request  of  the  Chairman,  ])rayer  was  ofi'ered  by  Dr.  Baird. 

The  minutes  were  read  and  approved. 

On  motion  of  Dr.  Baird,  it  was  decided  that  opportunity  should 
be  given  for  the  presentation  of  papers  setting  forth  plans  of 
union  of  the  Churches  represented.  Whereupon  the  Chairman 
of  the  Committee  on  the  part  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian 
Church  submitted   the  following: 

We,  the  Committee  on  the  part  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian 
Church,  submit  the  following  as  a  basis  of  union  l)etween  our 
Church  and  the  Presbyterian  Church  here  re]iresentcd. 


g60  PAR  T  ir.,  CHURCH  CO UR TS. 

1.  That  both  Conl'essions  of  Faiih  shall  he  retained  as  the}'  are, 
and  shall  be  regarded  as  of  e(|iial  authority  as  standards  of  evangel- 
ical doctrine;  and,  hereafter,  in  the  licensure  of  candidates,  and 
in  the  ordination  of  ministers  or  other  officers  of  the  Church,  or 
on  anv  other  occasion  when  it  shall  l)e  necessary  to  adopt  a  Con- 
fession of  Faith,  it  shall  he  left  to  the  choice  of  the  individual 
as  to  which  of  these  he  shall  adopt. 

2.  That  the  Form  of  Government  and  Discipline  of  the  Pres- 
Ijyterian  Church  shall  l^e  the  Form  of  Government  and  Discipline 
of  the   United   Cluu'ch. 

3.  That  the  United  Church  shall  he  known  as  the  Preshyterian 
Chuicli  of  the  United  States  of  America. 

-±.  Thai  all  the  }»it'sent  theological,  doctrinal  or  other  denomina- 
tional works,  or  such  as  may  have  l)een  published  l)y  the  authority 
of  the  respective  Churches,  jirior  to  the  date  of  the  consummation 
of  the  union,  shall  l)e  recognized  as  a  part  of  the  literature  of  the 
United  Church,  and  shall  be  kept  in  print  as  long  as  there  may 
he  a  profitable  demand  for  them.  All  titles  of  said  works  to  be 
changed,  if  necessary,  to  correspond  to  the  title  of  the  United 
Church. 

-").  That  all  oi'daiucd  ministers,  licentiates  or  candidates,  as 
well  as  all  churches,  shall  stand  in  the  same  relation  to  the  United 
Church  that  they  may  sustain  to  the  res})e<:'tive  Churches  at  the 
time  when  the  union  is  effected. 

().  That  all  ])ro])erty  belonging  to  each  Church  shall  become 
the  property  of  the  United  Church.  All  universities,  colleges, 
schools  and  boiU'ds  of  the  two  shall  bc^long  to  and  be  sul)ject  to 
the  control  of  the  United  Church. 

7.  That  all  presbyterial  and  synod ical  boundaries  shall  be  regu- 
lated 1>y  the  United  Church. 

8.  That  all  official  records  of  the  two  Ijodies  shall  be  ]>reserved 
and  held  as  constituting  the  one  history  of  the  United  Church. 

In  connection  with  this  proposition  we  wish  to  say  that  the 
Presbyterian  Church,  as  well  as  our  own,  may  be  surprised  at  first, 
at  what  is  submitted  al)0ve;  but  we  are  confident  in  the  belief 
that  the  glorious  doctrines,  which  are  common  to  us  both,  have 
made  you  and  us  what  we  are,  and  the  differences  between  us 
we  are  willing  to  leave  to  the  just  arbitration  of  the  future,  and 
abide  Ijy  the  judgment  of  God's  people,  as  they  advance  toward 


THE  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY.  261 

that  fuller  light  which  will  eiialjlo  us  to  see  eye  to  e3'e.  ^Ye 
rejoice  that  we  have  confidence  in  each  other.  Our  sincere  annual 
greetings  abundantly  testify  tlii;?.  and  our  mutual  object  is  to 
glorify  God  in  saving  sinners.  Then  may  we  not  l)e  one?  Yotir 
Church  is  larger  than  ours,  and  its  voice  may  prevail  in  the  pulpit, 
schools,  boards  and  journals  of  the  united  body;  nevertheless,  we 
are  willing  to  accept  the  issue,  committing  the  future  to  (fnd  and 
the  Church. 

If  the  above  should  be  accepted  by  the  Joint  Counuiltee,  we 
propose  to  sidjmit  some  details,  consistent  with  this  paper,  but 
not  embodied  in  it.  RicnAKi)  Bkard, 

J.  I).  ^rnT'iiEi.i.. 

A.  J.  Baikd, 

A.    B.    .MiLLKR. 

('l)UUIlHlct'. 
IiESPOXSE. 

The  Committee  from  tbe  ]^'esl)ytoi-ian  (liurch  submitted  the 
following: 

The  members  of  the  Committee  api)ointed  l)y  the  (leneral 
Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  having  consulted  together, 
are  prepared  to  say  to  their  l)rethren  of  the  Joint  Comuiittee: 

1.  That  we  regard  the  two  Churclies  here  represented  as  truly 
one  in  spirit  and  aims:  and  that  we  see  no  important  difference 
betAveen  them  in  polity,  administration  or  method  of  laljor. 

2.  That  God  b}'  his  providence  and  Spirit  is  evidently  calling 
us  to  the  fraternal  inquiry,  whether  their  differences  in  respect 
to  theology  are  such  as  to  re(piire  the  permanent  se]iaration  of 
■these  two  Churches. 

It  is  evident  that  the  Confession  of  Faith  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  has  been  understood  in  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian 
Church,  to  set  forth  the  sovereignty  and  decrees  of  God  in  terms 
inconsistent  with  his  holiness  and  l)enevolence,  and  with  the  free- 
dom and  accountability  of  mau. 

It  is  equally  evident  that  it  is  not  so  understood  in  the  Pi-esby- 
terian  Church.  We  appeal  to  our  Church's  history,  and  literatitre 
and  work,  for  evidence  that  her  view  of  God,  as  eternal  and 
sovereign,  is  held  together  with  as  solemn  views  of  his  holiness, 
as  joyfid   trust   in  his   goodness,   and   as   thorough   conviction   of 


262  PART  IV.,  CHURCH  COURTS. 

human  freedom  and   aecuiintabilily,   as  are   found   in   uur   sister 
iJhurch,  or  in  any  other  brancli  of  tlie  Church  universaL 

AYe  are  persuaded  that  this  will  Ijeeome  more  and  more  evident 
as  the  intercourse  between  ministers  and  members  of  these  two 
Churches  shall  become  more  intimate,  and  they  shall  seek  mean- 
■\vhile  Divine  ilhimination  upon  the  question,  whether  it  is  the 
will  of  God  that  the  two  Churches  shall  he  brought  together 
in  organic  union.  IIeney  A.  Nelson,  Chairman. 

The  Cluiirman  announced  recess  till  7.30  p.m. 

The  Joint  Committee  having  convened  at  7.30  p.m..  at  the 
Tequest  of  the  Committee,  Dr.  Nelson  ofl'ered  prayer. 

The  Committee  from  the  Cuml)erland  rresl)yteriaii  Church 
offered   the   following  response: 

In  answer  to  the  pa})er  submitted  l)y  the  Committee  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church,  we  would  say: 

1.  That  it  is  frankly  confci^sed  that  "the  Confession  of  Faith 
of  the  Presbyterian  Church  has  been  miderstood  in  the  Cumber- 
land Presbytei'ian  Church  to  set  forth  the  sovereignty  and  decrees 
of  God  in  terms  inconsistent  with  ins  holiness  ami  l>enevolence, 
and  with  the  freedom  and  accountability  of  man."  Many  of  the 
wisest  and  best  Christian  men  of  other  Churches  have  understood 
ihe  Confession,  in  its  }»lain  statement,  to  set  forth  the  sovereignty 
iind  decrees  of  God  in  the  same  objectionable  manner,  and  many 
have  thought  it  incaj)able  of  any  other  interpretation. 

2.  That  as  God  in  his  Spirit  and  providence  clearly  calls  us 
fo  a  serious  consideration  of  the  question  of  the  union  of  these 
two  branches  of  his  Church,  it  should  be  gravely  considered 
Avhether  the  great  Great  Head  of  the  Church  has  not  also  made 
an  occasion  for  such  slight  changes  in  the  language  of  these  time- 
honored  standards  as  will  fully  adapt  them  to  the  faith  of  both 
Churches,  and  thus  the  better  aid  the  two,  when  united,  to  reach 
the  perishing  masses  with  that  Gospel  which  he  has  appointed  to 
he  preached  to  all  nations.  Richard  Beard,  Chairman. 

The  Committee  from  the  I'resbyteiian  Churcli  submitted  the 
following  response: 

The  Committee  on  the  pai't  of  the  (icncral  Assend)ly  of  the 
Presb^'terian  Church  having  cousicU'i'cd  the  paper  jtrescuted  by 
our  brethren,  cordially  res]>oncl: 


THE  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY.  263 

1.  That  this  paper  and  our  faiiiihar  conieience  of  this  morning 
confirm  the  impressions  and  hopes  indicated  in  our  previous  paper 
and  our  desire  for  the  continued  and  increased  intercourse,  co- 
operation and  united  prayer  of  the  ministers  and  people  of  both 
Churches,  which  that  i)aper  recommends. 

2.  That  in  our  judgment,  it  is  desirable  that  such  intercourse 
be  continued,  and  that  the  mutual  acquaintance  of  the  two 
Churches  become  more  extensive  and  intimate  before  their  General 
Assemblies  shall  be  called  upon  to  act  upon  any  plan  of  union. 

3.  That  in  sid)mititing  the  proceedings  of  this  Joint  Committee 
to  oiu-  respective  Assemblies,  \\e  recommend  the  appointmeut 
of  a  Joint  Couimittee  for  continued  conference,  and  for  jn-o- 
moting  intercourse  and  acquaintance  between  the  two  bodies  dur- 
ing the  next  year.  Heney  A.  Nelson,  Chairman. 

To  the  foregoing  the  Committee  from  the  Cumbeihind  Pres- 
byterian Church  made  the  following  response: 

"We  desire  to  express  our  cordial  approbation  of  what  has  been 
said  by  our  brethren  of  the  other  part  of  the  Committee  in  regard 
to  the  desirableness  of  organic  union,  and  we  join  them  in  the 
recommendation  that  Committees  be  appointed  by  the  respective 
Assemblies  to  continue  the  negotiations  thus  auspiciously  opened. 

EiCHAED  Beard,  Chainnan. 

In  order  that  both  Churches  might  know  as  soon  as  possible 
the  result  of  this  meeting,  and  have  oi)portunity  for  investigation, 
thoughtfulness  and  jirayer  in  reference  thereto,  it  was  agreed  by 
the  Joint  Committee,  each  of  the  Committees  having  retained  a 
manuscript  co]n',  that  these  proceedings  should  be  puljlished  in 
the  Banner  of  Peace,  Xashville.  Tenn.,  and  copies  furnished  Dr. 
Nelson  for  the  papers  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  and  to  Dr. 
Baird  for  the  other  papers  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian 
Church. 

Dr.  Dickey  offered  the  following  resolutions,  which  were  adopted: 
Besolved,  That  we  ex})ress  our  heartfelt  thanks  to  the  Great 
Head  of  the  Church  for  the  friendly  and  fraternal  spirit  that 
lias  prevailed  throughout  our  entire  session,  and  for  the  many 
assurances  we  have  enjoyed  that  our  meeting  has  been  the  means 
of  promoting  kindly  feelings  throughout  our  Churches. 


264  PART  IW,  CHURCH  COURTS. 

Resolved,  That  we  express  our  high  appreciation  of,  and  our 
gratitude  for.  the  generous  hos])itaHty  extended  to  the  Committee 
hy  the  Christian  friends  of  Xashville. 

The  Committee  then  adjourned  sint   die. 

Prayer  offered  l)y  T)r.  ^fitclie]]. 

Joseph  T.   Smith,   Chainiian. 

A.   ]).   ^IiLLKH.   Srrrclanj.  — 1ST4,   pp.   o9-(U. 

((■)   ]Villi  /lie  (If'tirrtil  f^i/iiod  nf  llie   Erniujclird]  LiilJin-dii   Cliiircli. 

To  the  Miiihrnli.r  ,iinl  Mpriiht'is  nf  llir  (Iciieral  AsscmJ)]!/  of  Oie 
('miihcrhnnl  J^nsln/lrriaii  Clnircli,  in  session  at  HuntsviUe, 
Ala.,  May  IS,  1SS2: 

Deae  Brethren: — As  deh'gate  ap]'ointed  l)y  the  Ceneral  As- 
sembly, in  session  in  the  city  of  Austin,  Texas.  ]\h^y,  1881.  to 
carry  fraternal  greetings  to  tlie  Ceneral  Synod  of  the  Evangelical 
Lutheran  Churcli.  in  session  at  Altoona.  Pa..  June  8,  1881.  T  at- 
tended the  sittings  of  that  veneralilc  Ivody,  and  listened  to  the 
])roceedings  for  two  days.  I  was  very  courteously  received,  and 
my  words  of  greeting  lieard  with  tokens  of  liighest  respect. 

In  accordance  with  the  s])irit  of  my  a]ipointni(  nt  1  made  over- 
tures for  a  union  of  tlie  two  liodies.  In  i'es])onse,  the  Synod 
appointed  a  committee  of  live  to  confer  with  a  simihir  committee 
from  the  Cuml)erland  Pi-csl)yterian  Church.  Id  investigate  tlie 
})Ossihility  of  such  a  union.  I  would  ask  tlic  (Jeneral  Assemhly 
noM'  in  session  to  appoint  said  Committee. 

Ph.  p.  Da.xli-v.— 1882.  p.  97. 

To  the  General  Assenihli/  of  the  Cumberland  Preshi/ferian  Cltuirh: 
Beloved  Brethren  in  Christ: — At  the  Tliirtietli  Biennial 
Convention  of  the  (ieneral  Synod  of  the  Evangelical  Lutlieran 
Church  in  the  United  States,  which  convened  at  Altoona.  Pa., 
on  the  8th  day  of  June,  1881,  the  undersigned  was  a])pointed 
Delegate  to  your  General  Assembly,  which  meets  in  ITuntsville, 
Ala.,  on  the  18th  of  :\ray.  188-2.  and  Pev.  Dr.  (;eorg('  F.  Stelling, 
now  of  Omaha,  Xeh..  was  chosen  as  liis  alternate.  Circumstances 
over  which  the  undersigned  has  no  control,  prevent  liis  lieing  with 
you  in  person,  and  he  wrote  to  his  alternate  to  ascertain  if  he 
could  not  attend,  hut  M'as  informed  that  it  was  imjiossiljle  for  him 
to  do  so.     Tlie  undersigned   is  therefore  only  left   the   privilege 


THE  GENERAL  ASSEI\/nL)'.  265 

of  writing  to  you  a  fraternal  letter,  expressing  the  gi-eetinj^s  of 
the  (jJeneral  Synod  and  the  hoi)e  that  you  may  have  a  ])k'asaiit 
and  profitahle  meeting. 

At  the  Convention  of  the  General  Synod  at  Altooua,  your  worthy 
Delegate,  Eev.  Phili})  R.  Danley,  informed  that  hody  that  there 
had  heen  action  in  your  General  Assemhly  contemplating  a  con- 
sultation as  to  the  feasihility  of  an  organic  union  of  the  two 
hodies,  on  account  of  a  similarity  of  doctrine.  At  his  invitation, 
the  General  Synod  appointed  a  committee  of  five  to  confer  with 
a  like  committee  to  l}e  a})pointed  hy  your  hody.  The  Committee 
of  the  General  Synod  is  as  follows:  Rev.  Dr.  F.  Springer,  S])ring- 
field,  III;  Rev.  Wm.  Hull,  Hudson,  N".  Y.;  Rev.  Dr.  S.  Domer. 
AVashington,  D.  C;  Rev.  D.  W.  Smith,  Mansfield,  Ohio;  and  Rev. 
L.  Ford.  Minden,  X.  Y. 

If  your  General  Assembly  choose  a  like  committee  for  consulta- 
tion and  conference,  at  your  present  meeting,  the  Committee  of 
the  General  Synod  will  meet  them  in  good  faith  to  consider  the 
object  contemplated. 

Extending  to  you  the  Christian  and  fraternal  greetings  of  the 
General  Synod,  and  appreciating  the  action  of  your  hody  in  con- 
templating a  closer  miion,  and  requesting  you  to  choose  a  delegate 
to  represent  the  General  Assemhly  in  the  next  meeting  of  the 
General  Synod,  which  occurc  at  Springfield,  Ohio,  on  the  first 
"Wednesday  after  Whitsunday,  1883,  I  subscribe  myself,  yours  in 
Christian  brotherhood  and  bonds.  William  Hull. 

Hudson,  X.  Y.,  May  15,  1882.  —1882.  ]).  !»(i. 

The  Committee  on  Correspondence  sul)mitted  the  rollowing. 
which  was  adopted: 

From  the  communication  from  the  General  Synod  of  tlic  JM-an- 
gelical  Lutheran  Church,  directed  to  your  body  Ijy  tiie  IJev.  Wil- 
liam Hull,  who  was  appointed  to  attend  the  same,  we  learn  that 
a  Committee  on  Organic  Union  has  been  appointed  by  their  Synod. 
and  two  committees  have  been  appointed  by  former  General  As- 
semblies of  this  body,  but  said  committees  failed  to  attend  said 
Synod.  We  suggest  that  you  appoint  Ministers  J.  V.  Sprowls. 
A.  B.  :\Iiller.  J.  M.  Gill,  H.  D.  Onyett.  and  W.  J.  Darby,  a  Com- 
mittee to  meet  their  Committee  in  conference,  and  we  most  heart ilv 


266  J\IRT  IW,  CHURCH  COURTS. 

pray  that  a  union,  if  practicaljle,  may  be  consummated,  also  that 
llev.  J.  P.  Sprowls  1)l'  appointed  dek'gate  to  the  Synod  at  its  next 
sitting,  and  Eev.  A.  15.  Miller  his  alternate. — 1882,  ]).  3(T. 

The  following  rei)ort  of  the  Committee  on  Organic  Union  with 
the  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church,  was  concurred  in: 
To  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Ciwiberland  Preshi/terian  Church: 

MoDEKATOE  AND  BRETHREN: — The  Committee  on  Organic 
Union,  appointed  at  the  last  General  xVssemhly,  to  meet  a  similar 
Committee  from  the  CJeneral  Synod  of  the  Evangelical  Lutheran 
Church  woidd  report: 

That  a  correspondence  was  oi)eued  between  the  Rev.  Francis 
S])ringer.  D.D.,  on  the  })art  of  the  (leneral  Synod's  C'ommittee, 
and  the  Kev.  J.  P.  Sjjrowls.  from  tlie  Committee  of  the  Ocneral 
Assembly,  last  Xovember. 

This  correspondence  was  not  of  an  olhcial  c-liaracter.  but  ])re- 
liminary.  and  to  elicit  information. 

At  the  last  session  of  the  Gent-ral  Synod  of  the  Evangelical 
ijutheran  Church,  held  in  xVltoona,  Pa.,  June,  1881,  the  Com- 
mittee to  whom  was  referred  an  overture  on  Organic  Union  from 
the  General  Assend)ly  of  the  (Hnnberland  Presbyterian  Church, 
in   session  at   Austin,   Texas.   re})orted   tlie  following  resolutions: 

1.  That  this  overture  of  the  brethren  of  the  Cumberland  Pres- 
byterian Church,  be  met  in  the  most  fraternal  spirit,  and  that  it 
receive,  as  it  deserves,  the  respectful  consideration  of  this  Synod. 

2.  That  a  committee  of  five  be  a})j)ointed  to  confer  by  corres- 
jtondence  or  otherwise  with  the  Committee  already  appointed  by 
the  General  x\9sembly  of  the  Cund)erland  Presbyterian  Church,  to 
elicit  information  and  report  the  same  to  the  General  Synod  at 
its  next  meeting. 

This  second  resolution  was  to  be  the  basis  of  action  for  the 
General  Synod's  Committee,  viz.,  to  elicit  informatioai,  and  this 
they  averred  could  be  done  as  well  through  correspondence  as 
in  a  meeting  of  the  Committees.  Hence  the  failure  of  the  Com- 
mittee to  carry  out  a  part  of  the  injunction  of  the  last  General 
Assembly. 

Rev.  Dr.  Springer,  after  con-esponding  with  the  inembers  of  his 
Committee,  formulated  the  following  plan,  viz.:  ''To  obtain  the 
views  of  the  members  of  the  Svnod's  Committee,  also  the  feelino- 


THE  GENERAL  ASSEMJILY.  267 

of  tlie  Coiimiittee  of  the  General  AsseniMy,  and  through  them 
the  sentiment  of  the  respective  Cliurclies,  on  Organic  L  iiion,  and 
report  the  same  to  the  next  General  Synod." 

Soon  thereafter,  a  brief  letter  was  written  to  each  member  of  the 
General  Assembly's  Committee.  pro2:)onnding  certain  questions, 
soliciting  information  looking  in  the  same  direction. 

To  present  the  result  of  Dr.  Springer's  correspondence,  his 
words  will  be  used.  "'The  ])revailing  ini})ression  seems  to  be  in 
favor  of  a  closer  and  more  hearty  fraterital  union  of  the  Cum- 
berland Presbyterian  and  Evangelical  Lutheran  C*hurches;  but  the 
difficidties  in  the  way  of  on/an ic  union,  at  })resent  existing,  are 
deemed  to  be  insurmountable.  For  example,  the  tenure  and 
transfer  of  property  in  institutions  of  learning.  ])ul)li5hing  houses, 
mission  posts,  houses  of  worship,  etc.  Then  too.  unless  there  exists 
a  perfectly  unanimous  consent  on  the  part  of  all  the  churches  on 
each  side,  the  imion  would  ])roduee  an  additional  number  of 
factious.  There  are  also  those  who  look  upon  the  scheme  as  vis- 
ionary and  im])racticable.  Yet  I  think  it  is  fair  to  say  that  the 
desire  of  some  kind  of  itnion  between  the  two  denominations  is 
gradually  on  the  increase,  but  not  very  definite  as  to  the  shape 
it  shall  have,  or  the  means  of  its  accomplishment. 

"Without  offensive  obtrusiveness.  the  report  I  expect  to  mttke 
will  iin})ly  that  neither  the  Cumljcrland  Presbyterians  nor  the 
Evangelical  Lutherans  are  in  a  condition  of  Gospel  grace  which 
qualifies  them  for  organic  tmion  into  one  body." 

The  general  cast  of  his  report  will  be,  "that  the  present  con- 
sideration of  the  subject  is  only  tentative,  in  the  hope  of  good 
results  in  the  course  of  time,  as  our  ideas  of  union  shall  grow 
riper  by  discussion. 

"Also,  that  as  matters  in  Christendom  now  stand,  denomina- 
tionalism  is  far  more  desirable  than  ecclesiastical  concentration; 
that  no  one  existing  denomination  is  worthy  the  high  honor  of 
absorbing  into  itself  all  the  others.  The  disparaging  outcry  against 
diversities  of  organization  among  the  disciples  of  our  Lord  was 
originated  l)y  the  Romanists,  and  is  kept  up  by  them  with  the  aid 
of  all  the  hosts  of  atheists,  skeptics,  infidels,  and  the  vicious 
classes  generally. 

"x\lso,  that  the  present  friendly  correspondence  between  the 
Cumberland   Presbvterian  Church  and  ourselves  be  continued,  as 


268  PART  IV.,  CHURCH  COURTS. 

a  valuable  means  of  ciiltivaling  and  Iji'inging  on  the  Divine  nnion 
for  which  Jesus  prayed."' 

From  the  correspondence  Avith  the  members  of  our  Committee, 
the  following  conclusions  were  reached: 

1.  That  it  was  not  Ik'sI  to  urge  positive  action  now,  while  our 
Confession  of  Faith  was  undergoing  revision.  Let  us  know  exactly 
where  we  stand  ourselves,  before  we  invite  others  into  our  house- 
hold of  faith. 

3.  That  there  is  a  growing  feeling  in  some  ])arts  of  the  Church 
in  favor  of  organic  ttnion  with  the  Fvangelical  Lutheran  Church. 

3.  That  there  is  a  strong  desire  in  every  part  of  the  Church 
for  a  closer  fralcnial  relationship  with  the  above  named  Church, 
and,  in  fact,  with  all  evangelical  Churches. 

4.  That  the  correspondence  be  continued,  and  that  the  present 
General  Assembly,  if  thought  best,  appoint  a  committee  to  meet 
a  similar  committee  from  the  General  Synod,  and  that  the  General 
Assembly  suggest  a  meeting  of  these  committees  sometime  during 
the  coming  autumn  or  eai'ly  winter. — ISS;].  p]).   30,  31. 


[Note. — It  a]ipears  that  the  corres])ondence  looking  to  organic- 
union  with  the  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church  was  discontinued. 
—J.  A^  8.] 

((/)  11'////  llic  (iciieral  Coiifereitce  of  the  MeUiodist  I'mlT-slaiit' 
Church. 

To  Ihc  Moderator  and  Brethren  of  ilie  Generat  A.ssrnddi/  of  llie 
Cuinbertand  Prest)ijterian  VliurcJi.  JI unlsrille,  Ala.: 
Dear  BRETiiiiEx: — The  enclosed  will  certify  you  of  my  ap- 
pointment as  a  Fraternal  Afessenger  to  your  Ijody  from  the  General 
C*onference  of  the  ^Methodist  Protestant  Church.  It  would  have 
been  highly  gratifying  to  me  could  I  have  been  personally  present 
with  you.  Circumstances  preclude  this,  especially  the  lateness 
at  which  I  received  the  aiipointment.  It  was  my  pleasure  to  hear 
your  messenger,  the  Eev.  Dr.  Black,  on  our  General  Conference 
floor  in  Pittsburg  in  May,  1880.  We  congratulate  you  in  having 
taken  the  initiative;  we  now  as  cordially  reciprocate.  The  Metho- 
dist Protestant  Church,  of  which  I  am  now  the  honored  represen- 
tative, is  perhaps  the  youngest  of  the  sisterhood  nf  Churches.  In 
doctrines  and  usages,  she  is  Methodislic:  in  governmental   politv. 


THE  GENERAL .  ASSE  MBL  \  \  269 

essentially  I'resbyterian.  One  of  her  elementary  principles  is  that 
'"all  elders  in  the  Church  of  (jlod  are  equal.'"  Ignoring  the  episco- 
pacy and  the  presiding  eldership  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  she  laid  the  broad  foundation  of  "mutual  rights  between 
the  ministry  and  laity"  on  whieh  to  build.  Our  denomination  was 
organized  in  1828  by  ministers  and  members  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,  excluded  therefrom,  and  by  their  friends  and 
sympathizers,  ])urely  because  of  their  liberal  church  principles. 
In  1830  we  were  more  fully  established  by  the  adoption  of  a 
Constitution  and  Discipline,  which  has  now  beeii  before  the  world 
for  more  than  fifty  years.  To  these  we  refer  for  a  more  satis- 
factory exjjosition  of  our  views.  We  have  our  pastoral  charges, 
composed  of  from  one  to  six  churches,  known  as  stations,  circuits, 
and  missions,  having  for  their  business  body  the  Quarterly  Con- 
ference; then  the  Annual  Conference,  ef[ually  represented  by  the 
ministry  and  laity.  Our  highest  ecclesiastical  body,  the  General 
Conference,  is  likewise  equally  represented  by  tliese  two  classes. 
It  is  this  Ijody  that  changes  and  amends  our  Discipline.  The 
Constitution  is  in  the  hands  of  Convention,  whenever  called  by 
the  Church  at  large. 

From  Avhat  this  writer  knows  of  the  government  and  doctrines 
— with  probably  some  slight  ditfercjice  in  the  latter — of  your 
Church,  he  would  have  felt  authorized,  could  he  have  been  with 
you,  to  have  invited  you  to  the  consideration  of  a  closer  and 
more  sympathetic,  if  not  indeed  eventually  to  an  organic  bond  of 
union  between  the  two  Churches.  Suggestions  might  have  been 
made  more  congenial  than  those  which  now  occui-.  Yet  at  present 
he  ventures  the  following:  If  it  shall  appear  to  you  that  a  more 
thorough  acquaintance  Avitli  each  other  is  desirable  and  proper, 
more  than  we  can  form  in  our  fraternal  exchanges,  then  the 
appointment  of  a  committee  of  one  or  more  from  your  body  to 
meet  a  like  committee  from  us,  to  ascertain  each  other's  views 
and  to  see  how  near  we  can  approximate.  Of  course  the  result 
of  such  a  conference,  if  held,  would  be  reported  to  our  respective 
and  future  general  bodies.  W.   IT.  Wills. 

Brinkleyville,  N.  C,  ?ilay  10,  1882.  —1882.  ])p.  94.  9."). 

Your  Committee  on  Corres])ondence  submit  the  following- 
report: 


270  PART  I\\,  CHURCH  COURTS. 

We  have  read  with  much  }jlea.suie  a  ctjmmunication  from  W. 
H.  Wills,  D.JJ.,  appointed  to  heax  to  this  General  Assembly 
fraternal  greetings  from  the  General  Conference  of  the  Methodist 
Protestant  Church,  in  which  he  speaks  so  kindly  and  brotherly  of 
our  Church,  and  .suggests  that  if  a  committee  should  be  appointed 
by  this  body  to  confer  with  the  I'retident  of  that  body  looking 
to  an  organic  union,  such  a  Committee  would  be  received  with 
pleasure.  We  suggest  that  you  appoint  lie  v.  E.  K.  .S(|uier  a  cor- 
responding delegate  to  that  body,  with  liberty  to  confer  freely 
with  the  same  on  the  subject,  and  report  the  result  to  the  next 
General  Assembly,  and  that  a  minute  of  what  you  do  in  the 
matter  be  mailed  by  the  Stated  Clei'k  to  ^^^  11.  Wills,  D.D.^ 
Pliiladelphia,  Pa.,  as  he  requests.     Adopted. — 188"^,  p.  39. 

Ihin.  Jiilut  Frizzcll,  Jluilcndur: 

Dear  Sik: — At  the  late  General  Conference  of  the  Methodist 
Protestant  Church,  held  in  Balti]nore.  Md.,  a  Board  of  five  Com- 
missioners was  appointed  and  duly  laithorized  to  confer  with  a 
like  Hoard  to  be  appointed  Ijy  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Cimi- 
berland  Presbyterian  Church,  in  view  of  formulating  a  basis  for 
the  organic  union  of  the  two  bodies;  }n-ovided  that,  after  a  full 
and  free  interchange  of  sentiment,  such  union  slioidd  be  found 
desirable  and  practicable.  Unfortunately,  however,  your  General 
Assembly  had  adjourned  before  it  could  be  notified  of  the  action 
of  our  General  Conference.  This  we  very  much  regret,  as  nothing 
can  now  be  done,  I  presume,  until  your  General  xVssembly  will 
again  meet — at  least,  nothing  can  be  done  officially.  My  object 
in  now  addressing  you  as  Moderator  of  the  General  Assembly  of 
the  Cundjerland  Presbyterian  Church  is  to  thus  officially  notify 
you  of  the  action  of  our  General  Conference,  and  request  you  to 
submit  the  same  to  your  General  Assembly  at  its  next  session,  that 
it  may  take  such  action  in  the  premises  r.s  may  be  deemed  desirable. 
We  cherish  the  hope  that  your  General  Assembly  may  be  pleased 
to  name  a  Board  of  Commissioners  similar  to  the  one  appointed 
by  our  General  Conference.  And  if  no  organic  union  may  result 
from  the  mutual  action  of  the  two  general  bodies,  we  shall,  at 
least,  learn  to  know^  each  other  better  and  to  love  each  other 
more.  So  far  as  I  now  understand  the  circumstances  of  the  case, 
I  think  that  through  mutual  concessions  and  brotherly  yieldings 


THE  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY.  271 

a  basis  of  union  may   be  formed   tliat   will   prove   acceptable   to 
both  parties;  and  if,  in  the  ordering  of  Divine  ]'rovidence,  such 
shall  be  the  result,  no  one  will  more  heartily  rejoice  than  myself. 
With  feelings  of  Christian  fraternity,  I  remain  yours  truly, 

G.  J3.  McEleoy, 
Chairman  Board  of  Commissioners  M.  P.  Church. 
Adrian  College,  Department  of  Tbeology,  Adrian,  Mich.,  June 
6,  1884. 

To  this  communication  the  following  re})ly  was  made  by  the 
Moderator: 

Dear  Sir  and  Brother: — I  have  your  favor  of  the  6th  inst., 
and,  with  you,  regret  that  our  Cencral  Assembly  could  not.  before 
its  adjournment,  have  been  informed  of  the  action  of  your  General 
Conference. 

I  am  not  prepared  to  express  an  opinion  as  to  whether  our 
doctrinal  bases  may  be  reconciled.  1  apprehend  that  but  little 
difficulty  would  be  found  in  harmonizing  our  views  on  Church 
government.  However,  these  things  may  be,  a  correspondence 
should,  and  doubtless  would,  result,  as  you  say,  in  our  learning 
to  know  each  other  Ijetter  and  to  love  each  other  more. 

I  will  with  pleasure  bring  this  matter  to  the  attention  ot  our 
General  Assembly  at  its  next  meeting,  to  be  held  at  Bentonville, 
Ark.,  third  Thursday  in  May  next.     ^Meantime.  accej)t  assur.inces 
of  fraternal  regard  and  Christian  fellowship. 
Yours  very  truly, 

Joiix  J'rizzei.l. 

Xashville.  Tenn..  June  U,  1884.  —1885,  pp.  Ill,  113. 

In  reference  to  the  foregoing  the  following  was  adopted: 
While  we  are  not  disposed  to  encourage  tlie  agitation  of  the 
subject  of  organic  union  with  other  bodies,  where  there  is  not 
a  reasonable  prospect  of  good  resulting,  yet  we  are  free  to  say  that 
if  the  union  of  our  Chuixh  with  the  ^lethodist  Protestant  Church 
can  be  effected  in  a  way  satisfactory  to  l)oth  parties,  it  is  a  con- 
summation devoutly  to  be  prayed  for.  And  we  venture  to  say 
that,  so  far  as  we  understand  the  doctrine  and  polity  of  that 
Church,  we  do  not  see  anv  verv  formidalde  difficulty  in  the  way 


.272  PAR  T  I J  \ ,   CH(  RCH  CO  J  rR  TS. 

of  tlie  accomplishment  of  this  work.  If  we  are  in  liarmony  in 
doctrine  and  Church  pohtv.  let  \is  comhine  our  forces,  thereby 
strengthening  each  others  hearts  and  hands  as  we  go  forth  to  labor 
in  the  vineyard  of  onr  common  Lord  and  Master. 

We  submit  for  your  adoption  the  following  recommendation, 
\\z.:  That  you  ajjpoint  a  committee  of  five  to  confer  with  the 
commission  appointed  by  the  ^letbodist  Protestant  Clnirch,  on  the 
snl'ject  of  organic  union,  and  to  report  to  the  next  General 
Assembly.— 1885,  ]>.  3:. 

The  Moderator  appointed  the  following  as  a  Committee  on 
Organic  Union  with  the  Methodist  Protestant  Church:  The  Revs. 
.S.  L.  Russell.  A.  J.  McGlumphy.  W.  TI.  P.lack:  and  Ruling  Elders 
John  Frizzcll  and  A.  B.  Martin.— 188:),  j).  38. 

The  following  is  the  report  of  the  joint  conference: 
"The  Committees  a])])ointed  by  the  CJeneral  Convention  of  the 
Mclhodist  ]'rotesta,nt  Cluirch  at  its  session  held  in  the  city  of 
l^alliuiore.  in  ^lay,  188-f,  and  of  the  General  A«^scmbly  of  the 
Cnmberland  Presbyterian  Church  at  its  session  held  in  l^enton- 
ville.  Ark.,  in  ]\Iay.  188.-).  for  the  purpose  of  considering  the 
(jucstion  of  organic  union  between  the  two  Churches,  met  in  the 
jiarlors  of  the  Ma.xvvell  House,  in  the  city  of  Nashville,  Tenn., 
on  the  13th  day  of  May.  188G,  at  ten  o'clock  a.m.  There  were 
present  on  the  part  of  the  Methodist  Protestant  Church — the 
Rev.  Dr.  G.  J5.  Mcl-:iroy,  of  Michigan:  the  Rev.  Dr.  J.  J.  Smith, 
of  Xew  York;  the  Rev.  Dr.  P.  IP  :\P  Henderson,  of  Georgia;  and 
.7.  W.  Tiering.  M.D..  of  :\faryland.  A])sent — Thomas  Sankey,  of 
Pennsylvania.  Present  on  the  part  of  the  Cumberland  Presby- 
terian Church— the  Rev.  S.  L.  Russell,  ]\i.A.,  of  Alabama;  the 
Rev.  W.  11.  P)lack,  M.A.,  of  Missouri;  and  Andrew  B.  Martin, 
LL.D.,  of  Tennessee.  Absent — Hon.  John  Prizzell,  of  Tenness^'e, 
iind  the  Rev.  Dr.  A.  J.  McGlumphy,  of  Illinois.  The  joint  meet- 
ing was  organized  by  the  election  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  G.  ]>.  McElroy, 
Chairman,  and  the  Rev.  W.  H.  Black,  Secretary.  Before 
]>roceeding  to  business,  praver  was  offered  bv  the  Rev  W 
H.  Black. 

"The   Committee  state  that   they   have   felt    the   grave   respon- 


THE  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY.  278 

sihilily  of  the  jjosition  in  which  ihoy  liave  Ijecii  j)hieed.  and  have 
endeavored  most  carefully  and  with  niiicli  ])rayer  to  consider  the 
important  su])ject  intrusted  to  them,  and  hog-  leave  to  suhmit  the 
following  as  the  result  of  their  deliheration*?: 

"1.  We  have  carefully  examined  tlie  creeds  of  the  two  Churches, 
and  tind  Jio  ditl'erence  whatever  except  that  which  miyht  grow 
out  of  the  doctrines  of  the  '])rcscrvation  of  l>elievers'  ajid  'apos- 
tasy.* which  we  agree  are  nt)t  essential  to  the  Christian  system,  and 
may  with  pro])riety  he  left  open  and  unexp)ressed  in  the  creed 
of  the  united  Church.  \\'e  have  also  examined  the  formidated 
expressions  of  the  creeds  of  the  respective  Churches,  as  stated  in 
the  Confession  of  Faith  of  the  Cumherlantl  l'resl)yterian  Church 
and  the  Discipline  of  the  ]\Iethodist  Protestant  Church;  and  while 
each  sets  fortli  the  doctrines  clearly,  that  of  the  Cuudjerland  Pres- 
hyterian  Church  is  nu>re  ftill  and  systematic,  and  we  could  con- 
fidently recommend  it  to  the  favorahle  consideration  of  a  Joint 
convention  of  the  two  Churches,  if  such  should  l)e  held. 

'"I.  We  have  at  much  length  discussed  the  polity  of  the  re- 
spective Clnn-ches,  and  aie  of  the  unanimous  o])inion  that  no 
sei'ious  ]m])ediment  to  an  organic  union  exists  in  their  gov- 
ernment, htit  that  a  satisfactory  adjustment  may  he  accom- 
plished. 

"We  are  pleased  to  state  that  the  Committees  have,  \\\\\\  the 
utmost  frankness,  communicated  with  each  other  upon  the  various 
points  of  their  work,  that  a  commendahle  Christian  spirit  has  heen 
evinced  hy  all,  and  that  their  conclusions  have  heen  reached  in 
a  most  satisfactory  numner. 

^'We  have  not  felt  at  liherty  to  ])roceed  further  with  the  work 
of  organic  union.  Ijelieving  that  it  is  wise  and  for  the  hest  interest 
of  hoth  Churches  to  rest  at  jn-esent  with  the  statement,  that  no 
doctrinal  difficulty  stands  in  the  way  of  union,  and  that  what 
pertains  to  jiolity  can  he  aiTanged  satisfactorily  hy  the  two  Churches 
in  a  joint  assemhly. 

^'We  helieve  the  imion,  if  consummated,  will  he  for  the  glory 
of  God  and  for  the  advancement  of  liis  kingdom,  and  can  see 
no  snflicient  reason  why  two  hodies  of  Christians  so  alike  in 
doctrine,  government,  and  jjractice,  should  long  remain  as  separate 
organizations. 
IS 


274  PART  IV.,  CHURCH  COURTS. 

'"lu  liie  name  of  om-  divine  Master  \vt)  submit  tliese  views  to 
the  ChurcheS;,  and  recommend  tliat  tliey  take  such  further  action 
in  the  matter  as  they  may  deem  best. 

"(j.  1j.  McElroy,  Chairman, 
"W.  11.  liLACK,  Secretary, 
"S.    L.    EUSSELL, 

'•J.  W.  Hering, 

''J.  J.  Smith, 

"1\  11.  M.  Henderson, 

"A.  J.   McGlumphy, 

"Andrew  B.  Martin." 

This  report  was  })laeed  on  the  docket. — 18SG.  [)p.  15,  IG. 

The  Report  on  Organic  Union  was  taken  from  the  docket  for 
consideration  ai.d  the  following  paper  on  the  subject  was  adopted: 

Whereas,  The  report  of  the  joint  convention  of  the  Committees 
on  Organic  Union,  appointed  by  the  General  Assembly  of  the 
Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church  and  by  the  General  Convention 
of  the  Methodist  Protestant  Church,  is  before  us;  and, 

Whereas,  The  matters  invoked  are  of  great  consequence  to  the 
kingdom  of  God.  and  should  not  l)e  decided  without  due  de- 
liberation;  and. 

Whe7-eas,  The  Methodist  Protestant  General  Conference  does  not 
meet  until  May,  1888,  and  hence  there  is  no  need  of  haste; 
therefore. 

Re-solved,  That  the  said  report  be  refeiTed  for  action  to  the  next 
meeting  of  this  General  Assembly,  at  Covington,  Ohio,  May,  1887. 
—1886,  p.  33. 

Organic  Union. 

The  General  Assembly  went  into  a  Committee  of  the  Whole 
to  consider  the  subject  of  Organic  Union  with  the  Methodist 
Protestant  Church. 

The  Committee  of  the  Whole  presented  to  the  General  As- 
sembly as  its  report  the  following  paper,  which  was  adopted: 

The  report  of  the  Committee  appointed  at  the  meeting  of  the 
General  Assembly,  May,  188.^,  upon  the  subject  of  organic  union 
between  the  Methodist  Protestant  and  the  Cumberland  Presby- 
terian Churches,  and  which  was  postponed  at  the  last  meeting  of 


THE  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY,  275 

the  Cieiieral  Aissciiibl}'  for  actiun  al  this  meeting,  has  beeu  diUy 
considered,  aud  as  expressive  of  the  views  of  the  General  At^seni- 
bly  upon  the  sidjject,  it  is  hereby  declared: 

1.  We  are  gratified  at  finding  in  the  action  of  the  joint  L'oni- 
mittee  contained  in  said  re})ort.  so  much  of  the  spirit  of  Chris- 
tian fellowship  and  liberality  of  sentiment.  Such  a  disposition 
is  to  be  commended,  and  should  always  characterize  the  inter- 
course of  those  who  worship  the  same  God,  accept  the  same  t'lirist, 
iuul  Ijelievc  in  the  same  Bible. 

'I.  Wc  note  with  pleasure  that  in  the  opinion  of  the  joint  Com- 
mittee the  creeds  of  the  two  Churches  are  so  nearly  alike,  and  that 
in  their  opinion  the  only  differences  existing  are  not  essential  to 
the  Chi'istian  system.  However,  in  this  connection,  and  with  all 
deference  aud  respect  for  the  opinions  of  all  concerned,  we  must 
express  our  unwillingness  to  omit  from  our  system  of  faith  a 
doctrine  so  precious  to  us  as  that  of  the  "preservation  of  be- 
lievers." 

3.  We  rejoice  to  know  that  in  the  opinion  of  the  joint  Com- 
mittee, the  Confession  of  Faith  of  the  Ctmiberland  Presbyterian 
Church  is,  as  to  doctrines,  so  full  and  systematic  that  the  Com- 
mittee "could  confidently  recommend  it  to  the  favorable  considera- 
tion of  a  joint  convention  of  the  two  Churches;"  and  that  said 
joint  Committee  "are  of  the  imanimous  opinion  that  no  serious 
impediment  to  an  organic  union  exists"  in  the  government  of  the 
tw'o  Churches. 

4.  In  view  of  the  facts  thus  appearing,  the  Moderator  is  directed 
to  appoint  a  commission  of  seven  meml)ers,  who  shall  be.  and  they 
are  hereby,  atithorized  and  empowered  to  confer  with  any  com- 
mission or  committee  appointed  by  the  Methodist  Protestant 
Church  upon  this  subject,  and  with  them  to  agree,  subject  to  the 
approval  and  ratification  of  the  General  Assembly,  upon  such 
terms  of  organic  union  as  to  them  may  seem  right  and  proper. 

Committee  ox  Organic  Union. 

In  compliance  with  the  foregoing  recommendations,  the  Mod- 
erator appointed  the  following  Committee  on  Organic  Union:  S. 
L.  Russell,  W.  H.  Black.  A.  B.  Martin.  John  Frizzell.  A.  J. 
McGlumphy.  D.  E.  Bushnell,  E.  B.  Crisman.— 1887,  pp.  o3.  34. 


-276  PART  IV.,  CHURCH  COURTS. 

[Note. — This  Coiumittec  iiuvlt  luaclc  a  report,  I'or  the  reason 
that  the  Methodist  I'rot.estaiit  General  Conference  took  unfavor- 
able action  on  organic  union,  before  the  next  meeting  of  the 
General  Assembly. — J.  V.  S.J 

(3)     The    General    Assembly     deteraiines    to     enter    the 
Alliance  oe  the  IIeeor.med  Giiurcjies. 

This  Alliance  was  organized  in  London,  July  21-23,  187.5.  First 
General  Council  met  in  iulinlnirgh,  July  3-10,  18TT.  Second 
General  Council,  I'luladelphia,  September  23 — October  3.  1880. 
Third  General  Council,  Belfast,  Ireland,  .June  24— July  3,  1884. 

Preamble  to  Constitution. 

ll7/('/Y7(,s-,  Chiirclu's  holding  the  Reformed  Faith,  and  organized 
on  Pre«;l>yterian  princi})les.  are  found,  though  under  a  variety  of 
names,  in  different  ]jarts  of  the  world;  and, 

Whereitx,  Many  of  these  were  long  wont  to  maintain  close  re- 
lations, but  are  at  present  united  l)y  no  visible  bond,  whether 
of  fellowshi})  or  of  work;  and, 

ll7(wrrt.s'.  111  tiie  i)rovidencc  of  God,  the  time  seems  to  have  come 
when  they  may  all  more  fully  manifest  their  essential  oneness, 
have  closer  communion  with  each  other,  and  promote  great  causes 
by  joint  action; 

//  {&  agreed  to  fonn  a  l'resl)yterian  Alliance,  to  meet  in  General 
Council  from  time  to  time,  in  order  to  confer  on  matters  of 
ccmimon  interest,  and  to  fuiiher  the  ends  for  which  the  Church 
has  been  constituted  by  her   Divine  Lord  and  only  King. 

In  forming  this  Alliance,  the  Presbyterian  Churches  do  not 
mean  to  chang-e  their  fraternal  relations  with  other  Churches, 
but  will  be  ready,  as  heretofore,  to  join  with  them  in  Christian 
fellowship,  and  in  advancing  the  cause  of  the  Pedeemer,  on  the 
general  principle  maintained  and  taught  in  the  Peformed  Con- 
fessions, that  the  Church  of  (iod  on  earth,  though  composed  of 
many  members,  is  one  body  in  the  communion  of  the  Holy  Ghost, 
of  which  body  Christ  is  the  Supreme  Head,  and  the  Scriptures 
alone  are  the  infallible  law. 


THE  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY.  277 

AkTIC'LKS. 

I.  Designation. — This  Alliance  shall  be  known  as  "The  xll- 
licLUce  of  the  llefornied  Churches  throughout  the  world  holding 
the  Presbyterian  system." 

II.  .iJEiiBERSiiiP. — Any  t'hurch  organized  on  Presbyterian  prin- 
ciples, which  holds  the  supreme  authority  of  tlie  Scriptures  of  the 
Old  and  New  Testaments  in  matters  of  faith  and  morals,  and 
whose  creed  is  in  harmony  with  the  Consensus  of  the  Keformed 
Confessions,  shall  be  eligible  for  admission  into  the  Alliance. 

III.  The  Council. — 

(1)  lis  Meetings. — The  Alliance  shall  meet  in  (ieneral  Council, 
ordinarily,  once  in  thi'ee  years. 

(2)  Its  Const itueiiri/. — The  Council  shall  consist  of  Delegates, 
being  ministers  and  elders  a.pi)ointe(l  liy  the  Churches  forming 
the  Alliance:  the  number  from  each  Church  being  regulated  bv  a 
plan  sanctioned  l)y  tho  Council,  regard  l)eing  had  generally  to 
the  number  of  congregations  in  the  several  Churches.  The 
Delegates,  as  far  as  practicable,  to  consist  of  an  equal  number 
of  ministers  and  elders.  Tlu'  Council  may  .  .  .  invite  Presby- 
terian brethren  not  Delegates  .   .   .  to  read  papers. 

(3)  Its  Puicers. — The  Council  .  .  .  shall  not  interfc*iv  with  the 
existing  Creed  or  Constitution  of  any  Church  in  the  Alliance, 
or  with  its  internal  order  or  external  relations. 

Chairman  of  General  Conimitlee, 

Henry  A.  Boardman,  D.D.,  LL.D.,  Philadeljihia. 
Cliainnon  of  Proijramnie  Committef. 

Philip  Sohaff.  D.D..  LL.D.,  Xcw  York. 
Chairman  of  Biisi)iess  Committee, 

George  Junkin,  Ksq.,  Philade]])hia. 
Clerhs  of  Council, 

W.  G.  Blaikie,  D.D.,  LL.D.,  Edinburgh. 

Geo.  D.  Mathews,  D.D.,  Xew  York. 

— As.sembly  Minutes,  I88G,  pp.  loT,  138. 

A  communication,  in  reference  to  the  holding  of  an  Ecumenical 
Council  of  Presbyterians,  from  Pev.  Messrs.  Howard  Crosliy.  D.D., 
Edwin  E.  Hatfield.  D.D..  and  James  McCosh,  D.D..  LL.D.,  a 
Committee  apjiointod  by  the  (Jeneral  Asseml)ly  of  the  Presbyterian 


278  PART  IV.,  CHURCH  COURTS. 

<'luu-ch  in  the  United  States  of  America,  was  read,  and  referred 
to  the  Committee  on  Correspondence. — 1874,  p.  9. 

Following  is  the  communication  refen-ed  to: 
To  the  Miiderator  of  the  Gcuc-ral  Assembly  of  the  Ctiinlprhnnl  Prcs- 
hi/lerian    Church: 

The  last  General  Assemhly  of  the  Prcshyterian  Chnrch  in  the 
United  States  of  America,  in  session  at  r.altimore.  ]\Id..  May  'i^T, 
1873,  ado})ted  tlie  following-  preamhle  and  I'osolulion: 

Mlre'veas,  There  is  substantial  unity  of  faith,  discipline,  and 
worship  among  the  Prcshyterian  Churches  in  this  and  other  lands; 
and 

Whereas,  It  is  important  to  exhihit  ihis  union  to  the  Churches 
iind  to  the  world;  and 

^yhcrcas.  A  desire  has  been  exiiressed  in  many  ])laces  for  closer 
imion  among  all  l)ranches  of  the  great  and  widely  scattered  family 
■of  Presbyterian   Churches;   therefore. 

Resolved,  That  a  committee  consisting  of  the  ^Moderator  of  the 
(jeneral  Assembly,  the  Stated  Clerk,  and  the  Rev.  James- ^IcCosh, 
D.D.,  LL.D.,  be  appointed  to  corresjjond  with  sister  Churches 
holding  by  the  Westminster  standards,  with  the  view  of  bringing 
about  an  Epumeiiical  Council  of  such  Churches  to  consider  sub- 
jects of  common  interest  to  all.  and  especially  to  ])r()mote  harmony 
of  action  in  the  mission  fields  at  home  and  abi'oad. 

In  accordance  with  this  action  the  General  Assend)ly  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of  America,  through  its 
Committee,  respectfully  i)roposes  to  your  honorable  l)ody  the  con- 
sideration of  the  expediency  of  such  an  Ecumenical  Council,  with 
the  recpiest  that  if  such  a  council  be  deemed  expedient,  a  Com- 
mittee l.)e  appointed  with  power  to  determine,  tlirough  corres- 
pondence or  conference  with  like  Committees  of  other  Presby- 
terian bodies,  the  time,  place  and  manner  of  holding  said  Council. 
In  commending  this  invitation  to  your  regard,  the  Committee 
■would  mention  among  the  many  advantages  sought  by  such  a 
Presbyterian  conference,  the  strength  that  would  thus  be  imparted 
to  organizations  that  may  lie  feeble  because  of  their  smailness, 
or  their  distance  from  evangelic  centres,  the  unity  of  spirit  that 
would  be  emphasized  throughout  our  different  bodies,  the  more 
perfect  system    that    would    be   introdticed    into   cttr   processes   of 


THE  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY.  279 

evaii-i-elization,  and  the  powerful  testimony  to  the  truth  tliat  wouhl 
he  hfted  np  against  the  many  forms  of  error  with  which  the 
Church  of  Christ  has  to  contend. 

Earnestly  urging  this  matter  upon  you  as  a  work  for  the  progress 
of  the  Eedeeniers  kingdom,  we  have  the  honor  to  suhscrihe  our- 
selves. 

Your  faithful  s-ervants  in  the  Gospel  of  Christ, 

Howard   Crosbv. 
Mndcrafor  of   flic    General  Assembly  of   the   Presbyterian 
Church  of  the  r)nte(l  Stales  of  America. 

Edwix  F.  Hatfield. 
Stated  CJerl-  of  the  General  Assemhty  of  the   Presbyterian 
Church  of  the  United  States  of  America. 

James  McCosh, 
President  of  the  College  of  New  Jersey,  Princeton. — 1874,  p.  Go. 

On  the  foregoing  paper  the  Committee  on  Correspondence  made 
the  following  recommendation,  which  was  adopted: 

In  relation  to  the  Ecumenicp.l  Council  of  Preshyterians,  we 
recommend  that  Dr.  8.  G.  Burney.  Dr.  A.  J.  Baird.  Dr.  E.  K. 
Squier,  Dr.  A.  J.  McGlumphy.  and  Rev.  X.  P.  Modrall  he  ap- 
pointed a  Committee  to  confer  with  similar  committees  from 
other  Preshyterian  Assemhlies  in  order  to  arrange  for  such  a 
Council.— 1874,  ]).  IS. 

AV.  E.  Ward,  D.D..  was  appointed  to  represent  the  Cumhcrland 
Presl^yterian  Church  in  the  "Preshyterian  Council,  to  meet  in 
London  next  July." — 1875.  ]i.  37. 

This  meeting,  ""which  is  justly  regarded  as  the  first  conciliar 
gathering,  since  the  seventeenth  century,  of  the  Reformed  Churches 
holding  the  Preshyterian  system,  was  held  in  the  English  Preshy- 
terian College,  Guilford  Street,  London,""  on  Wednesday.  July 
21,  1875;  but  for  some  reason  Dr.  Ward  did  not  attend. 

Delegates  were  appointed  to  the  meeting  of  the  Council,  which 
was  held  in  Philadelphia,  .Sei)tember.  1880  (p.  30). 

One  of  these  delegates,  the  Rev.  W.  IT.  Black,  attended  the 
Philadelphia  meeting,  and  reported  to  the  General  Assembly  of 
1881.  as  follows: 


280  PART  IV.,  CHURCH  COURTS. 

Moderator  and  Brethren: — xlccording  to  appointment  by 
the  la&t  General  Assembly,  wliicli  met  at  Evansville,  Ind.,  I  at- 
tended the  meeting  of  the  "General  Presbyterian  Conncil/'  in 
Philadelphia,  September,  1880.  You  are  already  acquainted  with 
the  facts  concerning  the  rejection  of  your  delegates,  ostensihJi/, 
because  our  Assembl}-  had  not  taken  the  necessary  regular  steps 
toward  admission;  but  really,  as  your  delegate  thinks,  because 
some  of  the  members  of  the  Council  considered  llie  doctrines  of 
the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church  out  of  harmony  with  the 
"Consensus  of  the  Reformed  Confessions." 

I   did   all   that  I   could,   consistently   with   the   fraternity   and 
dignity  of  the  denomination  I  represented,   to   secure  admission. 
The  result  is  known  to  the  Church  and  to  the  world. 
Rospectfiilly  submitted, 

W.    II.    r>LACK. 

St.  Louis,  .Mo.,  Marcli  :!,  ISSl.  —1881,  p.  Go. 

On  the  ini'oi'ination  I'uiuislR'd  liy  ^Ir.  Ulack,  ihe  Committee  on 
Correspondence  made  re})ort  as  follows,  wliieli  was  adopted: 

From  the  communication  of  Kev.  \V.  II.  Black,  your  Committee 
learn  that  he  attended  the  meeting  ot  the  Alliance  in  Philadelphia 
in  Septeml)er,  1880.  His  report  shows  that  he  did  all  he  could, 
"consistently  with  the  fraternity  and  dignity"  ot  the  Church  which 
he  rejiresented,   but  failed  to  gain  admission. 

Your  Committee  may  be  allowed  la  say  that  in  the  incipiency 
of  this  matter — the  formation  of  the  Alliance — the  Cumberland 
Presbyterian  Church,  in  eomnion  with  other  Presl)yterian  bodies 
of  the  world,  was  invited  to  assist  in  the  formation  of  the  Alliance 
and  to  become  a  member  of  it,  when,  as  the  history  of  its  formation 
shows,  it  would  not  have  been  necessary  to  do  more  than  consent 
to  become  a  member  in  its  organization,  and  with  othere  adopt  a 
constitution.  The  failure  of  our  delegate  to  attend  the  first  meet- 
ing and  take  part  in  its  organization,  may  lie  regarded  as  furnish- 
ing the  0])portunity  for  our  rejection,  either  upon  the  technicality 
of  not  having  adopted  the  Constitution  or  l)ecause  our  doctrines 
were  not  in  harmony  with  the  "Consensus  of  the  Reformed  Con- 
fessions." If  our  rejection  was  based  u]ion  the  technical  it  v  of 
our  not  having  adopted  the  Constitution,  then  your  Committee 
are  prepared  to  say  that  in  the  Constitution  furnished  us  we  see 


THE  GENERAL.  ASSEMBLY.  281 

nothing  to  iirevent  our  ai)pioval  of  it.     AVe  desii-e  to   call  your 
attention  to  the  first  and  tfecoud  aj'ticles  of  it: 

1.  "Tliis  AlHance  shall  he  known  as  'The  Alliance  of  the  lie- 
fomied  Churches  throughout  the  world  holding  the  rreshvteri.ui 
s^-stem.' 

2.  "Anj"  Church  organized  on  Preshyterian  principles,  which 
holds  the  supreme  authority  of  the  Scriptures  of  the  Old  and  Xew 
Testaments  in  matters  of  faith  and  morals,  and  whose  creed  is 
in  harmony  with  the  Consensus  of  the  Reformed  Confessions, 
shall  he  eligible  for  admission  into  the  Alliance." 

There  has  heen  no  written  Consensus  of  the  Refonned  Preshy- 
terian Confessions,  and  your  Committee  are  unahle  lo  know  how 
it  was  understood  hy  the  Council.  As  the  only  means  of  determin- 
ing wliether  we  are  in  harmony  with  the  Consensus  of  the  Re- 
formed Confessions,  we  attest  our  tmfaltering  adherence  to  the 
doctrines  and  government  as  taught  in  our  own  Confession  of 
Faith,  revised  and  adopted  by  the  General  Assembly  in  1829. 

As  there  is  no  essential  difl'erence  between  us  and  a  large 
majority  of  Presbyterian  Churches  in  the  world,  as  to  form  of 
government  and  manner  of  administration  of  Church  ordinances, 
we  desire  to  call  special  attention  to  our  views  of  the  atonement. 
The  doctrines  taught  in  our  Symbols  of  Faith  on  this  stibject  are 
very^  dear  to  us.  We  tliink  them  honoring  to  God,  who  is  merciful 
as  well  as  just.  We  believe  earnestly  in  an  ample  atonement  for 
all  men;  that  Jesus  Christ,  by  the  graoe  of  God,  tasted  death  for 
ever}-  man.  We  ])reach  it  at  home,  in  the  city  full  and  in  the 
desert  waste,  and  ^\•e  send  the  same  glad  tidings  through  our  mis- 
sionaiies  to^  men  of  other  lands.  AVe  shall  not  abandon  this  doc- 
trine, dear  to  the  lieart  of  every  Cumberland  Presljyterian.  AA'e 
are  willing  to  submit  it  to  the  verdict  of  mankind.  If  with  these 
views  expressed  in  oiu-  Reformed  Confession  of  Faith,  and  as  we 
believe  in  the  AA'ord  of  God,  our  presence  in  the  Cortncils  of  the 
Alliance  is  agreeable  to  our  sister  Preshyterian  Churches  of  the 
world,  we  are  willing  to  take  our  stand  with  them  in  the  Alliance, 
in  the  maintenance  of  the  Presbyterian  system. 

We,  in  conclusion,  recommend — 

1.  That  you  approve  of  the  Constitution  of  the  Alliance,  and 
submit  our  Confession  of  Faith  as  indicating  our  harmony  with 
the  Consensus  of  the  Reformed  Confessions. 


282  PART  IV.,  CHURCH  COURTS. 

2.  That  a  committee  of  five  be  appointed  by  the  ^loderaior  to 
consider  this  snl)ject  in  the  h^lit  (if  future  developments,  and 
report  to  the  next  Cieneral  Assemhly. 

The  committee  provided  for  in  the  preceding  report  was  ap- 
])ointed  as  follows:  ^linisters  J.  Ii.  Thrown.  A.  J.  liaird.  >S.  G. 
Burney,  J.  M.  Halsell  and  Euling  Elder  R.  L.  Canithers.— 1881, 
]ip.  33.  3-f. 

The  Committee  on  the  General  Presbyterian  Alliance,  ap- 
pointed bv  the  lasl  (ieneral  Assembly.  snl)mitt'ed  majority  and 
minoritv  rejiorts,  wlu'r('ii])on  tlie  maiority  rejiort  was  unanimously 
ado})ted  as  follows: 

Your  Committee  to  consider  the  relations  of  the  Cuml)erland 
Presbyterian  Church  to  the  Geiieral  Presbyterian  Alliance,  has 
given  the  matter  careful  attention,  and  submit  the  following: 

The  Alliance  was  organized  in  London,  July  21,  187o,  at  a  con- 
ference of  delegates  from  twenty-two  Presbyterian  organizations. 
Our  General  Assembly  of  that  year  appointed  Pev.  W.  E.  ^Yard, 
D.D.,  as  delegate  to  that  conference,  but  he  failed  to  be  present, 
and  our  Church  was  without  a  representative  in  that  initial  meet- 
ing. 

The  sixty-four  commissioners  present  organized  by  adopting  a 
constitution  which  designates  the  body  as  ''The  Alliance  of  the 
Peformed  Churches  throughout  the  world  holding  the  Presbyterian 
System.''  The  second  article  of  the  Constitution  then  adopted 
])rovides  that  "Any  Church  organized  on  Presbj'terian  principles, 
which  holds  the  supreme  authority  of  the  Scriptures  of  the  Old 
and  Xew  Testaments  in  matters  of  faith  and  morals,  and  whose 
creed  is  in  harmony  with  the  Consensus  of  the  Reformed  Con- 
fessions, shall  be  eligible  for  admission  into  the  Alliance." 

The  first  regular  meeting  of  the  General  Council  of  the  Alliance, 
under  the  Constitution,  was  held  in  Edinbtirgh,  in  July.  1877, 
but  our  Church  had  no  representative  at  that  meeting. 

The  second  regular  meeting  was  held  in  Philadelphia,  in  Sep- 
tember, 1880.  Our  General  Assembly  of  that  year  appointed  dele- 
gates to  that  meeting,  but  only  two  were  in  attendance.  The  Com- 
mittee on  Credentials  recommended  that  the  Council  decline  to 
admit  our  delegates,  and  said:  "We  are  constrained  to  ado])t  this 
resolution  bv  the  absence  of  sufficient  evidence  that  the  ('uml)er- 


THE  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY.  283 

land  Church  now  accept  the  doctrinal  Ijasis  of  the  Alliance,  and 
hy  the  terms  of  xlrticle  II.,  of  the  Constitution,  which  restricts 
the  Alliance  to  Churches  whose  creeds  are  in  liarmony  with  the 
Consensus  of  tlie  Reformed  Confessions.'" 

The  question  i^roved  a  very  serious  one  to  tlie  Council,  and  has 
awakened  a  lively  interest  hoth  in  this  countiy  and  in  Europe. 
After  heing  before  the  Council  for  a  number  of  days,  the  follow- 
ing 2)aper  was  adopted  in  lieu  of  that  recommended  by  the  (Com- 
mittee on  (Credentials: 

^'Eesoh-eJ,  That  the  Council  are  unable,  hue  statu,  to  admit  as 
members  brethren  re})reisenting  Churches  whose  relations  to  the 
Constitution  have  not  1)een  explained  and  cannot  now  be  consid- 
ered." 

Although  the  question  of  doctrinal  difference,  as  stated  by  the 
Committee  on  Credentials,  was  the  main  one,  the  final  action  of 
the  ('ouncil  was  based  on  our  not  having  approved  the  Constitti- 
tion  of  the  Alliance.  To  remove  the  difficulty,  the  General  As- 
sembly, one  }ear  ago,  expressed  its  approval  of  the  (Constitution, 
and  as  we  hold  "the  Presbyterian  System,"  the  only  remaining 
question  is,  whether  our  creed  is  in  harmony  with  the  Consensus 
of  the  Reformed  Confessions.  This,  of  cottrse,  can  only  be  decided 
by  the  Alliance  itself.  As  this  was  the  real  ground  for  refusing 
to  receive  our  delegates  into  the  late  Council,  and  as  it  leaves 
our  relations  to  the  Presbyterian  family  undefined  before  the 
Christian  world,  we  feel  that,  in  justice  l)oth  to  the  Alliance  and 
to  us,  the  decision  should  i;v  made.  To  aid  in  reaching  this  we 
state  the  following  in  regard  to  our  doctrinal  position,  and  our 
relations  to  the  Westminster  Confession  of  Faith: 

"The  foundeis  of  the  Cumlierland  Preshj'terian  Church,  in  their 
licensure  and  oidination  by  the  Presbyterian  Church,  were  ])er- 
mitted  to  'except  the  idea  of  fatality.'  as  they  believed  it  to  be 
embraced  in  the  doctrines  of  unconditional  election  and  reproba- 
tion, and  an  atonement  limited  to  a  definitely  elected  number, 
as  taught  in  the  Westminster  Confession  of  Faith.  Subsequently, 
having  for  this  been  cut  off  from  tlie  ])arent  Church,  in  fixing  a 
standard  of  doctrine  for  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church, 
which  they  organized,  they  adopted  the  Westminster  Confession 
of  Faith,  modified  in  the  following  particulars: 

"1.   That   tliere  are  no   eternal   reprobates. 


284  PART  IV.,  CHURCH  COURTS. 

'"Z.  Thai  Jesus  died,  not  lor  a  pari  only.  l)ut  fur  all  men.  and 
in  the  saine  sense. 

"3.  That  all  infants  dying  in  infancy  are  saved. 

"4.  That  the  Holy  Spirit  operates  on  all  the  world — on  all  for 
whom  Christ  died — in  such  a  manner  as  to  render  all  men  respon- 
sible, and  therefore  inexeusahle." 

By  these  exceptions  it  will  be  seen  that  we  have  an  amended 
form  of  the  Westminster  Confession  of  Faith,  and  if  this  puts  us 
out  of  harmony  with  the  Consensus  of  the  Eefornied  Confessions, 
we  will  be  glad  to  have  the  fact  clearly  and  une({uivocally  stated. 
That  this  may  be  certainly  done  by  the  next  Council,  we  recom- 
mend that  you  aj)point  delegates  to  the  next  meeting  thereof  in 
the  city  of  Belfast.  Ireland,  in  1884.— 1882,  pp.  17-19. 

We  rccou.mend.  further,  that  Kevs.  S.  C  Burney,  A.  J.  Baird 
aJid  C.  II.  Bell  be  ap})ointed  a  Committee  to  draft  a  synopsis  of 
oui'  doctrines,  to  be  approved  by  this  General  Assembly,  and  which 
those  attending  said  Council  as  delegates  of  our  Church  shall 
present  thereto  as  an  epitome  of  the  doctrines  held  by  our  Church. 
Adopted.— 1883,  p.  24. 

This  Committee  submitted  the  following  report,  which  was 
adoi)ted: 

To  llic  (loieral  Prcsbijteriait  Council  in  Sc-ssian  at  Belfasl,  I irlnnd^ 
1884: 

Dear  Brethren  in  the  Lord: — We,  of  the  Cumbeiland  Pres- 
byterian Church,  in  the  United  States  of  America,  rejoice  with 
you  that  God,  l\v  his  gracious  ]u-ovidence.  seem?  to  indicate  that 
it  is  pleasing  to  him  that  the  various  families  of  the  PreslMerian 
Church  should  come  together  for  fraternal  coxinsel  as  to  the 
interests  of  his  kingdom. 

Claiming  to  be  one  of  these  famihes  which  God  has  raised  up 
for  the  spread  of  the  Gospel  of  his  dear  Son,  and  having  approved 
the  Constitution  of  the  Alliance  (see  Minutes  of  our  General  As- 
sembly, 1881,  ]).  34;  and  1882,  page  18),  we  send  brethren,  bear- 
ing commissions  with  the  signature  of  our  :Mo(lerator  and  Stated 
Clerk,  as  delegates  to  your  body,  and  through  them  said  Minutes 
and  our  Confession  of  Faith  and  Government,  that,  by  i-eference 
thereto,  you  may  decide  whether  we  come  within  (he  pale  of  the 
Consensus  of  the  doctrines  of  the  Reformed  Churches. 


THE  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY.  285 

lu  our  Cuiil'estjioii  of  i'aitli  you  will  liud  our  doctrines  staled 
iu  the  following  order:  The  Holy  Scriptures,  The  Holy  Trinity, 
The  Decrees  of  Uod,  L'reation,  Providence,  The  Fall  of  Man,  God's 
Covenant  with  Man,  Christ  the  Mediator,  Free  Will,  Divine  In- 
fluence, Eepentance  unto  Life,  Saving  Faith,  Justification,  Kegen- 
eration,  Adoption,  Sanctihcation,  Growth  in  Grace,  Good  Works, 
Preservation  of  Believers,  Christian  Assurance.  The  Law  of  God, 
Christian  Liberty,  Religious  Worshij),  Sabbath  Day,  i^awful  Oaths 
and  Vows,  Civil  Government,  Marriage  and  Divorce,  TJie  Church, 
Christian  Communion,  The  Sacraments,  liaptism.  The  Lord's  Sup- 
per, Church  Authority.  Church  Courts,  Death  and  the  Pesurrec- 
tion,  and  the  Judgment. 

It  is  well  known  to  the  religious  world  that  oui-  Confession 
of  Faith  and  Catechism  are  revisions  of  the  Westminster  Con- 
fession of  Faith  and  Shorter  Catechism,  expressing  our  under- 
fitanding  of  the  teachings  of  God's  Word.  Now,  dear  brethren,  if 
the  difi'erence  between  our  statements  of  doctrine  and  those  of  the 
Westminster  Confession  of  Faith  is  inconsistent  with  our  being 
re])resented  in  your  body,  you  will  so  decide. 

Our  Church  was  organized  in  the  year  1810.  We  have  1,^32 
ordained  ministers;  221  licentiates;  197  candidates  for  the  ministry, 
and  115,749  communicants.  We  have  one  Theological  Seminary, 
three  Universities,  and  several  Colleges  and  Academies.  (l''rom 
Minutes,  1882.) 

It  is  proper  to  state,  also,  that  we  have  a  Board  of  I'oreign  and 
Domestic  ]\nssions,  and  a  Woman's  Board  of  Foreign  ^lissions, 
a  Board  of  Publication,  and  a  Board  of  Ministerial  Pelief.  all  of 
which  are  doing  good  work  for  the  Master. 

We  herewith  tender  you  the  Christian  greetings  of  our  evangel- 
ical and  aggressive  Church. 

A.  J.  McGlumphy,  Modrrfthir, 
John  Frizzell,  Stated  Clcrl-. 

Fifty-third  ({eneral   Assembly  of  the  Cumberland   Presbyterian 
Church.  Xashville.  Tennessee,  V.  S.  A..  May.  1883. 
Respectfully  submitted. 

S.  G.  Buenfy.  nhalnnan. 

The  Stated  Clerk  wais  requested  to  send  a  co])y  of  the  abo->'e 
]iaper  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Alliance. — 188.').  ])]>.  -10.    H. 


286  PART  I W,  CHURCH  COURTS. 

The  following  report  from  the  Committee  appointed  to  fill  vacan- 
cies in  the  delegation  to  the  ran-l*rebl)ytcrian  L'ouncil  was 
adopted : 

Yonr  Committee  appointed  l)y  the  hiist  (leneral  Aissemhly  to  fill 
vacajicies  in  the  delegation  to  the  ran-l'reshvterian  Council,  to 
meet  in  Belfa.<t,  Ireland,  June  'Z-i,  188-1,  respectfully  report  as  fol- 
lows: The  General  Assemhly  of  1882  ajjpointed  delegates  to  at- 
tend «iid  Council.  We  have  learned  l»y  corres]tondeiice  that,  of 
those  originally  ajipointed,  only  these  have  ho]ie  of  heing  able  to 
attend:  Ministers  A.  J.  Baird,  B.  (i.  McLeskey,  J).  M.  Harris, 
W.  J.  Darby,  W.  II.  Black.  S.  McJ'.ride.  J.  .M.  Uubberl.  and  BuHng 
Elder  xV.  C.  Htewaxt.  There  being  a  number  of  vacancies,  we 
have  appointed  as  delegates  the  following  persons,  who  are  exi)ect- 
ing  to  attend  the  Council:  Ministers  W.  W.  Ilendrix,  J.  W.  Fitz- 
gerald. J.  ]^.  Coodknight,  V.  \i.  Danley,  and  Ruling  Klders  II.  J. 
8chla])fer.  W.  D.  McLaughlin,  and  M.  A.  ^lontgomery.  We  ask 
that  instructions  be  given  to  the  Stated  Clerk  to  issue  a  ])ro]iei']y 
certified  commission  to  each  of  the  delegates  named  herein,  and 
to  any  others  whom  we  may  ajipoint. — 1884,  ]).  32. 

Some  of  these  l)rethren  attended  the  meeting.  After  consider- 
al)le  discu'ssion  in  the  Council,  the  Cundjerland  Presbyterian 
Church  was  admitted,  and  irs  delegates  invited  to  take  their  seats,, 
as  the  following  shows: 

Fathers  axu  Beetiirex: — Your  delegates  to  the  Council  of 
the  Alliance  of  the  Reformed  Churches,  throughout  the  world, 
liolding  the  Presbyterian  System,  Leg  leave  to  su1)mit  the  following 
re])ort : 

We  proceeded  to  the  city  of  Belfast,  Ireland,  where  ihe  Council 
convened,  June  24,  188-1.  Immediately  u})on  our  arrival  we  pre- 
sented onr  credentials  to  the  Council's  Committee  on  the  Recep- 
tion of  Churches,  hut  owing  to  the  ahsence  of  the  Chairman  of  the 
Committee,  Dr.  MacYicar,  of  Canada,  no  immediate  action  was 
taken  by  the  Connnittee  upon  the  application  of  our  Church  for 
memhershi]>  in  the  x\lliance.  On  account  of  the  great  interest 
jireviously  excited,  both  in  Europe  and  America,  hy  the  discussion 
of  the  pro]iosition  to  admit  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church 
to  a  place  in  the  Alliance,  the  Council  apjiointed  an  unusually 
lars:e  Committee  to  consider  the  a]i]ilication  of  our  Church,  which 


THE  CJlNERAL  ASSEMBLY.  287 

had  been  previously  made  by  uiu"  (jieneral  Assemljly,  througb  its 
Stated  Clerk.  Tbe  enlarged  L'omniittee  eon«isted  of  seventeen  of 
the  most  distinguislied  ministers  and  laymen  of  tbe  Council.  After 
a  protracted  and  earnest  investigation  of  all  tin  problcuis  involved 
in  tbe  admission  of  the  Cundjerland  Presbyterian  Church  to  mem- 
bership in  the  great  Alliance,  tbe  Comnuitee  unanimousl}  recom- 
mended tbat  our  Cluncb  be  adnntted,  wilbout  e.\i)ressing  auy 
opinion  for  or  against  our  Confession  of  I'aith. 

On  a  motion  to  ado})t  tbe  Committee's  report.  Dr.  Cliambers,  of 
Xew  York,  moved  to  amend  by  subttituliug.  instead  of  not  ex- 
pressing an  opinion  for  or  against  our  Confebsion  of  Faith,  '"with- 
out approving  of  tbe  Churcirs  revision  of  the  Westminster  Con- 
fession and  of  the  Shorter  Catecbisui."' 

Dr.  Chambers'  amendment  was  carried  by  a  vote  of  112  to  T8. 
Those  voting  against  Dr.  Chambers"  amendment  were  in  favor  of 
admitting  our  Church  unconditionally.  Those  voting  for  the 
amendment  desired  the  admission  of  the  Church,  "without  ap- 
proving" our  revision  of  tbe  Westminster  Confession  of  Faith. 

After  due  deliberation  and  consultation,  we  decided  to  accept 
seats  in  the  C*ounciI  and  re})ort  our  action  to  you. 

The  action  of  the  Council  in  this  matter  gave  great  satisfaction 
to  its  members.  We  believe  that  the  hnal  settlement  of  this  ques- 
tion, involving  the  good  name  and  ecclesiastical  sitanding  of  our 
Church,  will  redound  to  the  interest  and  prosperity  of  our  beloved 
Zion. 

We  take  special  pleasure  in  bearing  testimony  to  tbe  cordial  and 
hearty  reception  our  delegates  received,  both  from  members  of 
the  Council  and  the  citizens  of  Belfast.  We  weie  accorded  all 
the  rights,  dignities,  and  honors  extended  to  other  members  of  the 
Council.  We  recommend  that  you  continue  to  fraternize  with 
tliis  gi-eat  and  powerful  organization,  intended  to  proniote  the 
welfare  of  our  common  Presbyterianism. 

W.  H.  Black,  B.  G.  McLeskey, 

W.  J.   Darby,  S.  McBride, 

J.    M.    HUBBKKT,  J.    L.    GOODKXIGIIT. 

D.  M.  Harris,  A.   C.   Stewart, 

Ph.  E.  Daxley,  H.  J.  Sciilapfer, 

J.  W.  Fitzgerald,  M.  A.  Montgomery. 

—1885,  pp.  108,  109. 


^88  PAR T  Il\,  CHURCH  CO UR TS. 

I\ev.  Dr.  T.  C.  Blal-e,  Slated  Clerk  Cuniherhiiul  J're-shi/leridit  General 
Assemlhj: 

Eev.  and  Dear  Sir: — I  beg-  to  inclose  an  extract  from  the 
minutes  of  the  Third  General  Council  of  the  Alliance  of  the 
Eeformed  Churches  holding  the  Presbyterian  System,  containing 
the  action  of  the  Council  on  the  application  of  the  Cumljerland 
Presbyterian  Church  to  be  admitted  into  mombershiji  iu  .^aid 
Alliance. 

With  brotbei'ly  regards.   1   am  yours  very  truly. 

G.  D.  Matheavs,  Clerk  of  Cdimril. 

(Quebec,  Canada.  Xoveudx-r  28.  1884. 


EXTRACT. 

Council  of  the  Alliance  of  the  Peformed  Churclu's  liolding  the 
Presbyterian  System  met  in  Belfast,  June  2(),  1884. 

Extract  of  minute  referring  to  application  of  Cumberland  Pres- 
byterian Church  to  be  admitted  into  membership: 

"The  Council,  without  approving  of  the  Church's  revision  O'f 
the  Westminster  Confession  and  of  the  Shorter  Cateclusm,  admit 
the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church  into  the  Alliance,  and  invite 
the  delegates  now  present  to  take  their  seats.'"' 

See  "Minutes  and  Proceedings."  pp.  134,  14.").  IGl. 

G.  D.  Matheavs,  Cfc-rk  of  CouncU. 
— 188o.  ]).  108. 

In  reference  to  the  foregoing  communications  tbe  (general  As- 
sembly adopted  the  following: 

Your  Committee  has  fully  considered  the  report  of  your  delegates 
to  the  Pan-Presbyterian  Council,  also  the  official  communication 
from  the  Clerk  of  the  Council,  and  unanimously  recommend  that 
you  adopt  the  following  preamljle  and  resolutions: 

^yl^ereai^■,  The  Council  was  neither  asked  nor  expected  to  express 
approval  of  our  Confession  of  Faith,  but  to  decide  whether  it  is 
iu  harmony  with  the  Consensus  of  the  Reformed  Churches; 
and, 

^V^lereas,  The  Council  decided  to  admit  the  Cumberland  Pres- 
byterian Church  to  membership  in  the  Alliance,  and  our  delegates 
to  seats  in  the  Council,  thereby  ])lacing  the  Alliance  upon  a  basis 
not  inconsistent  with  our  creed;  therefore. 


THE  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY.  289 

Resolved,  That  this  new  evidence  of  a  groAWng  catholicity  among 
the  members  of  the  gTeat  Presbyterian  family  is  hailed  with 
pleasure  by  this  General  Assembly  representing  the  Cumberland 
Presbyterian  Church. 

Resolved,  That  we,  as  a  denomination  of  Christians,  continue  to 
fraternize  cordially  ^^-ith  the  liberal  and  progressive  Churches 
comiDosing  the  Alliance,  endeavoring,  in  the  true  spirit  of  unity, 
with  them  to  promote  the  G-ospel's  advancement  tlii'oughout  the 
world. 

In  response  to  the  notice  of  the  Executive  Commission  regarding 
the  apportionment  made  upon  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian 
Church,  your  Committee  recommend  tliat  the  General  Assembly 
agree  to  meet  its  obligations  in  this  regard.  Xot  fully  understand- 
ing the  basis  on  which  the  assessment  has  been  made,  and  learning 
that  a  portion  of  said  apportionment  is  for  the  purpose  of  liquidat- 
ing indebtedness  incurred  before  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian 
Church  became  a  member  of  the  Alliance,  it  is  recommended  that 
the  adjustment  of  this  matter  be  left  to  the  Executive  Commission 
representing  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,  and  tO'  the 
Moderator  and  Stated  Clerk  of  the  General  Assembly,  and,  when 
an  agreement  with  the  Commission  has  been  effected,  that  the 
Treasurer  of  the  General  Assembly  pay  the  amount  that  may  be 
due. 

It  is  recommended  that  the  money  reported  by  A.  C.  Stewart 
and  AV.  11.  Black  as  in  their  hands,  be  placed  in  the  treasury  for 
tliis  pur]:)ose,  and  that  the  thanks  of  the  Assembly  be  tendered 
to  those  who  contributed  it. — 1885,  pp.  41,  42. 

(4)  The  General  Assemble'  and  a  Consensus  Presbyterian 

Creed. 

The  report  of  the  Committee  on  Overtures  was  adopted  as 
follows: 

We  have  had  under  consideration  a  communication  from  the 
Eev.  William  H.  Eoberts,  D.D.,  Secretary  of  the  Consensus  Com- 
mittee of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of  America; 
and  in  response  thereto  we  submit  the  follo^^•ing: 

The  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United 
States  of  America,  during  its  sessions.  May,  1890,  adopted  the 
report  of  a  committee  in  these  words:  "The  Committee  recora- 
19 


.290  FART  IV.,  CHURCH  COURTS. 

mend  that  all  overtures  on  a  new  ajid  consensus  creed  shall  he 
referred  to  a  committee  of  nine,  who  shall  invite  the  cooperation 
of  the  Reformed  Churches  throughout  the  world  liolding  the  Pres- 
liyterian  System,  to  prepare  a  short  creed  containing  the  essential 
articles  of  the  Westminster  Confession,  to  he  used  as  the  common 
creed  of  these  Churches;  not  as  a  suhstitute  for  the  creed  of  any 
particular  denomination,  hut  to  sui)i)lenient  it  for  the  common 
work  of  the  Church — especially  in  missionary  fields — to  report 
to  the  next  (leneral  Assemhly/" 

The  Committee  was  appointed,  and  met  in  December,  1890.  At 
this  meeting,  as  stated  in  said  communication,  it  directed  its  Secre- 
tary to  communicate  the  above  action  of  the  Ueneral  Assembly 
to  the  several  Churches  connected  with  the  "AlMance  of  the  Re- 
formed Churches  throughout  the  world  holding  the  Presbyterian 
System."  In  compliance  with  the  direction  thus  given,  the  Secre- 
tary addressed  the  communication  under  consideration  to  the 
(ieneral  Assembly  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,  accom- 
panied, as  he  sjiys,  by  the  respectful  request  that  the  General 
Assemldy  at  its  next  meeting,  if  the  way  be  clear,  appoint  a  com- 
mittee to  enter  into  correspondence  with  the  Committee  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of  America,  with  a  view 
to  the  consideration  and  preparation  "'of  a  short  creed  containing 
the  essential  articles  of  the  Westminster  Confession,  to  be  used 
as  the  common  creed  of  these  Churches;  not  as  a  substitute  for  the 
creed  of  any  paj-ticular  denomination,  but  to  sii])plement  it  for 
the  common  work  of  the  Church." 

Dr.  Roberts  in  said  communication  also  says:  "Into  the  question 
of  the  advisability  of  a  consensus  creed,  the  Committee  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  do  not  feel  called  upon 
to  enter,  but  prefer  to  leave  its  consideration  to  the  several  Churches 
interested,  or  to  the  representative  Committees  which  they  may 
respectively  appoint.  It  is  understood,  however,  by  the  Committee, 
that  the  creed  which  may  be  formulated  by  the  lal)ors  of  the  joint 
Consensus  Committees  will  have  no  binding  force  in  any  of  the 
Presbyterian  or  Reformed  Churches,  except  as  fii'st  submitted  to 
and  approved  by  the  judicatory  or  judicatories  in  whom  such 
power  of  aj)])roval  is  vested  by  the  laws  of  these  Churches  re- 
spectively." 


THE  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY.  291 

Upon  the  subject  as  thus  preseuted  we  recouimend  thai  the 
General  Assembly  of  the  C'lnnherlaud  Presbyterian  Church  does 
now  declare  and  resolve: 

1.  That,  wliile  the  Cunibcrlaud  Presbyterian  Church  holds 
the  "Presbyterian  System/"  it  does  not  accept  the  "Westminster 
Confession"  as  its  creed.  -~- —        -      '< 

"l.  That  thus  standing  it  is  willing  at  all  times  to  enter  into 
correspondence  with  other  Churches  holding  the  "Presbyterian 
System,"  in  any  effort  to  unite  upon  a  short  creed  to  l)e  used  as 
the  common  creed  of  these  Churches. 

3.  That  a  committee  be  appointed  to  enter  into  correspondence 
with  the  Committee  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United 
States  of  America,  with  a  view  to  the  consideration  and  preparation 
of  a  short  creed  to  be  used  as  the  common  creed  of  the  Reformed 
Churches  throughout  the  world  holding  the  Presl)yterian  System, 
"not  as  a  suljstitute  for  the  creed  of  any  particular  denomination, 
but  to  supplement  it  for  the  common  work  of  the  Church;" 
provided  that  nothing  contained  in  the  creed  to  be  thus  prepared 
shall  conllict  with  the  Confession  of  Faith  of  the  Cumberland 
Presbyterian  Church. 

-4.  That  the  action  of  this  Committee  shall  have  no  binding  force 
or  effect  until  the  same  shall  be  approved  by  the  General  Assembly 
of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,  to  which  said  Committee 
shall  submit  a  full  re})ort.  —     — 

5.  That  said  Committee  shall  consist  of  Ministers  S.  G.  Burney, 
D.D.,  Lebanon,  Tenn.;  C.  H.  Bell,  D.D.,  St.  Louis,  Mo,;  A.  B. 
Miller,  D.D.,  Waynesburg,  Pa.;  J.  M.  Gill,  \).V>.,  Elkton,  Ky.; 
F.  R.  Earie,  D.D.,  Boonsboro,  Ark.;  R.  M.  Tinnon,  D.D.,  Fort 
Worth,  Texas;  B.  P.  Fullerton,  St.  Louis,  Mo.— 181-1,  pp.   IT-IU. 

Rev.  Dr.  C.  IL  Bell,  representing  the  Committee  appointed  by 
the  last  General  Assembly  to  prepare  a  Consenstis  Presbyterian 
Creed,  presented  the  following  report: 

Correspondence  with  the  Committee  of  the  Presljyterian  Church 
is  pending,  and  will,  if  it  is  your  pleasure,  be  continued  \\'\\\\  the 
view  of  forming  a  short  creed  as  a  "supplement  for  the  common 
work  of  the  Church,"'  as  proposed  by  the  General  Assembly  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church,  in  which  service  our  Church  and  other 
Pfcsliytci-ian   liodios  were  I'eqiiestcd   lo  unite. — ISD'^.   p.   .-)8. 


292  PART  IV.,  CHURCH  COURTS. 

[Note. — ^It  appears  that  tliis  matter  was  dropped.  The  Com- 
mittee has  never  submitted  a  report.  According  to  a  letter  from 
W.  H.  Roberts,  D.D.,  LL.D.,  Stated  Clerk  of  the  General  As- 
sembly of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of  America, 
the  Committee  appointed  on  this  subject,  by  that  Assembly  was 
discharged  in  1896,  nothing  definite  having  been  accomplished. 
—J.  V.  S.] 

(5)  The  General  Assembly  on  Co-operation. 

{a)  In  federation. 

The  Committee  on  Correspondence  reported  as  follows,  which 
was  adopted: 

We  have  also  examined  with  much  care  the  paper  referred  to 
us  looking  to  the  federation  of  the  Churches  holding  the  Pres- 
byterian System,  and  asking  you  to  appoint  a  committee  to  co- 
operate with  committees  from  other  General  Assemblies  and  Gen- 
eral Synods  to  mature  a  plan  to  Ijo  presented  to  all  the  bodies 
concerned  for  their  action.  This  matter  was  before  the  Assembly 
of  1891,  and  its  action  was  then  not  favorable;  but  since  that 
time  such  action  has  been  taken,  by  the  Committees  having  in 
charge  this  very  important  and  very  desirable  work,  as  to  remove 
the  objections  then  raised  by  the  Assembly,  and  we  are  firmly 
persuaded  that  could  such  a  movement  be  brought  to  a  successful 
issue,  incalculable  good  would  accrue  to  the  common  cause  of 
Presbytei'ianism,  and  therefore  to  the  cause  of  the  blessed  Master. 
We  therefore  recommend  that  you  appoint  the  Committee  so  cour- 
teously asked  for,  and  would  respectfully  suggest  the  following 
bretliren  to  compose  said  Committee:  Ilev.  A.  B.  Miller,  D.D., 
Rev.  J.  M.  Hubbert,  D.D.,  Rev.  W.  J.  Darby,  D.D.,  Ruling  Elders 
John  Frizzell  and  J.  B.  Cowan.— 1893,  pp.  18,  19. 

A  meeting  of  the  representatives  of  the  several  ecclesiastical 
bodies  interested  in  this  movement  was  held  in  the  city  of  Phila- 
delphia, April  12,  1894.  A  communication  was  sent  to  the  Com- 
mittee representing  the  readiness  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian 
Church  to  join  in  any  movement  that  promised  to  promote  the 
interests  of  our  Master's  kingdom  and  the  work  of  the  Churches 
composing  the  Presbyterian  family.  The  results  of  this  meeting 
are  before  you  in  the  communication  from  the  Chairman  of  the 
Committee,  Dr.  Patterson. — 1894,  pp.  44,  45. 


THE  GENERAL  ASSE3IBLY.  293 

The  following  communication  from  Dr.  Patterson  and  others 
concerning  the  Federation  of  the  Keformed  Churches  in  the 
United  States,  holding  the  Presb5^terian  System,  was  read,  and  it 
was  ordered  that  the  subject  matter  therein  should  be  referred 
to  a  special  committee  of  five,  whereupon  the  Moderator  appointed 
upon  said  committee  the  following  members:  Eevs.  D.  E.  Bush- 
nell,  D.D.,  J.  R.  Morris,  J.  A.  Ward,  D.D.,  J.  L.  Cooper,  D.D., 
and  Euling  Elder  S.  A.  Eodgers: 

To  ike  Venerable  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Cumberland  Presby- 
terian Church: 
Dear  Brethren: — At  a  meeting,  in  Philadelphia,  on  the  12th 
of  April,  of  Committees  of  Conference  on  a  Federal  Union,  ap- 
pointed by  the  Associate  Reformed  Synod  of  the  South,  the  Cum- 
berland Presbyterian  General  Assembly,  the  Synod  of  the  (Dutch) 
Reformed  Churcli  in  America,  the  Synod  of  the  (German)  Re- 
formed Churcli  in  the  United  States,  the  Synod  of  the  Reformed 
Presbyterian  Church,  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Presbyterian 
Church,  United  Presbyterian  General  Assembly,  and  tbe  General 
Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of 
America,  a  Plan  of  Federation  was,  after  long  and  careful  con- 
sideration, unanimously  adopted;  and  it  was  agreed  to  report  it 
to  the  different  appointing  judicatories,  with  a  recommendation 
that  it  be  adopted  by  them,  and  the  necessary  steps  taken  to  put 
it  in  operation. 

The  undersigned  were  appointed  a  committee  to  communicate 
this  action  to  the  judicatories,  and  to  conduct  further  corres- 
pondence upon  the  subject.  We  therefore  enclose  the  Plan,  asking 
that  it  be  adopted  by  your  venerable  body,  if  it  be  in  accordance 
with  your  judgment. 

The  different  Committees  of  Conference  also  ask  to  be  con- 
tinued by  their  appointing  judicatories,  in  order  to  receive  the 
reports  of  the  action  of  all,  and,  if  the  plan  be  adopted,  to  agree 
upon  the  time  and  place  of  meeting  of  tlie  first  Council  for  recom- 
mendation to  the  judicatories  and  for  the  appointment  of  their 
delegates  to  it.     Fraternally  yours, 

R.  M.  Patterson,  Chairman, 

J.  Elmendorf, 

David  Steele. 
Philadelpbia.  Pa.,  April  12,  1894. 


294  PART  IV.,  CHURCH  COURTS. 

Plan  of  Federation. 

The  following  is  the  Plan  of  Federation  which  the  Committees 
of  the  Associate  Eeformed  S^aiod  of  the  South,  the  Cumberland 
PresbA'terian  General  Assembly,  the  Sj'nod  of  the  (Dvitch)  Ee- 
formed Church  in  America,  the  Synod  of  the  ((lerman)  Reformed 
Church  in  the  United  States,  the  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Presby- 
terian Church,  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Presbyterian 
Church,  United  Presbyterian  General  Assembly,  the  General  As- 
sembly of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of 
America,  at  their  meeting  in  Philadelphia  on  the  12th  inst.  agreed 
to  recommend  to  their  appointing  bodies  for  adoption: 

For  the  glory  of  God,  and  for  the  greater  unity  and  advance- 
ment of  the  Church  'of  which  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  is  the  Head, 
the  Reformed  Churches  in  the  United  States  holding  to  the  Pres- 
byterian System  adopt  the  following  Articles  of  Federal  Union: 

1.  Every  denomination  entering  into  this  Union  shall  retain  its 
distinct  individuality,  as  well  as  every  power,  jurisdiction,  and 
right  which  is  not  l)y  this  Constitution  expressly  delegated  to  the 
body  hereby  constituted. 

2.  The  acts,  proceedings  and  records  of  the  duly  constituted 
authorities  of  each  of  the  denominations  shall  be  received  in  all 
of  the  other  denominations,  and  in  the  Federal  Council,  as  of 
full  credit  and  with  proper  respect. 

3.  For  the  prosecution  of  work  that  can  be  better  done  in  union 
than  separately,  an  Ecclesiastical  Assembly  is  hereby  constituted, 
wliich  shall  be  known  l:)y  the  name  and  style  of  The  Federal  Coun- 
jLnl  of  the  Reformed  Churches  in  the  United  States  of  America 
holding  the  Presbyterian  System. 

4.  The  Federal  Council  shall  consist  of  four  ministers  and  four 
elders  from  each  of  the  constituent  denominations,  who  shall  be 
chosen,  with  alternates,  under  the  direction  of  their  respective  su- 
preme judicatories,  in  snch  manner  as  those  judicatories  shall  re- 
spectively determine. 

5.  The  Federal  Council  shall  promote  the  cooperation  of  the 
federated  denominations  in  their  Home  and  Foreign  Missionary 
works,  and  shall  keep  watch  on  current  religious,  moral  and  social 
movements,  and  take  such  action  as  may  concentrate  the  influ- 
ence of  all  the  Churches  in  the  maintenance  of  the  tmth  that  our 


THE  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY.  295 

nation  is  a  Protestant  Christian  nation,  and  of  all  that  is  therein 
involved. 

6.  The  Fedei-al  Council  ma}'  advise  and  recommend  in  all  mat- 
ters pertaining  to  the  general  welfai'e  of  the  Kingdom  of  Christ, 
hut  shall  not  exercise  authority,  exce])t  such  as  is  conferred  upon 
it  hy  this  instrument,  or  such  as  may  he  conferred  upon  it  hy  the 
federated  hodies.  It  shall  not  interfere  with  the  creed,  worship,  or 
government  of  the  federated  denominations.  In  the  conduct  of 
its  meetings  it  shall  respect  their  conscientious  views.  All  matter 
of  discipline  shall  be  left  to  the  exclusive  and  final  judgnnent  of 
the  ecclesiastical  authorities  of  the  denomination  in  which  the  same 
may  aiise. 

7.  The  Federal  Council  shall  have  the  power  of  opening  and 
maintaining  a  friendly  correspondence  with  the  highest  Assem- 
blies of  other  religious  denominations  for  the  purpose  of  promoting 
union  and  concert  of  action  in  general  or  common  interests. 

8.  All  differences  which  may  arise  among  the  federated  bodies,  or 
any  of  them,  in  regard  to  matters  witliin  the  jurisdiction  of  the 
Federal  Council  shall  be  determined  by  such  executive  agencies  as 
may  be  created  by  the  Federal  Council,  witli  the  right  of  appeal 
to  the  Federal  Council  for  final  adjudication.  • 

9.  The  officers  of  the  Federal  Council  shall  be  a  President,  Vice 
President,  Clerk  and  Treasurer. 

10.  The  Federal  Council  shall  meet  annually,  and  on  its  own 
adjournment,  at  such  time  and  place  as  may  be  determined.  Special 
meetings  may  be  called  by  a  unanimous  vote  of  the  officers  of  the 
Council  on  thirty  days'  notice. 

11.  The  expenses  of  the  Council  shall  be  met  by  a  contingent 
fund  to  be  provided  by  a  fro  rota  apportionment  on  the  basis  of 
the  number  of  communicants  in  each  denomination;  and  the  ex- 
penses ot  the  delegates  to  the  Council  shall  be  paid  from  this 
fund. 

12.  Amendments  to  these  Articles  may  be  pi'oposed  by  the 
Federal  Council,  or  by  any  of  the  supreme  judicatories  of  the 
Churches  in  the  Federation;  but  the  approval  of  all  those  judica- 
tories shall  be  necessary  for  their  adoption. — 1894,  pp.  11-13. 

The  report  of  the  Committee  on  Correspondence  on  the  subject 
of  the  "Federation  of  the  Reformed  Churches  in  the  United  States 
holding  the  Presl)ytcrian  System,"  was  taken   uj).  and   after  dis- 


296  PART  IV.,  CHURCH  COURTS. 

cussion  of  the  same,  the  report  was  withdrawn,  and  the  subject 
of  "Federation"  was  referred  to  a  special  committee  provided  for 
in  the  resolution  of  Rev.  J.  L.  Goodknight,  D.D. 

Resolved,  That  a  committee  of  five  be  raised  to  whom  shall  be 
referred  the  whole  matter  of  the  Federation  of  the  Presbyterian 
Churches,  and  that  said  Committee  shall  report  to  the  next  Gen- 
eral Assembly. 

The  Committee  is  as  follows:  Revs.  A.  B.  Miller,  D.D.,  B.  D. 
Cockrill,  R.  M.  Tinnon,  D.D.,  and  Ruling  Elders  E.  E.  Beaxd 
and  W.  E.  Settle.— 1894,  p.  47. 

This  Committee  having  failed  to  report  to  the  next  Assembly, 
the  Committee  on  Overtures  submitted  the  following  report 
on  this  subject,  which  was  adopted: 

The  papers  referred  to  us  regarding  the  Federation  of  certain 
Presbyterian  Churdies,  have  been  considered.  Your  Committee 
tliink  it  proper  to  give  a  short  historical  statement  of  the  question. 

In  April,  1894,  there  was  held  in  the  city  of  Pliiladelphia,  Pa., 
a  meeting  of  Committees  from  the  following  named  Churches,  all 
being  members  of  the  Pan-Presbyterian  Alliance,  viz.:  Associate 
Reformed  Synod  of  the  South,  the  Cmuberland  Presbyterian  Gen- 
eral Assembly,  the  Synod  of  the  (Dutch)  Reformed  Church  in 
America,  the  Synod  of  the  (German)  Reformed  Church  in  the 
United  States,  the  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Presbyterian  Church, 
General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Presbyterian  Church,  United 
Presbyterian  General  Assembly,  and  the  General  Assembly  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of  America. 

In  that  meeting  Rev.  Dr.  W.  11.  Black  represented  the  Cum- 
berland Presbyterian  Church.  The  joint  Committee  in  that  meet- 
ing prepared  to  be  submitted  to  their  respective  appointing  bodies 
a  "Plan  of  Federation"  for  the  Churches  therein  represented.  The 
plan  was  presented  to  this  General  Assembly  at  its  last  stated 
session,  and  after  much  discussion  it  was  referred  to  a  special  Com- 
mittee of  which  Rev.  Dr.  A.  B.  Miller  was  Cliairman,  with  in- 
struction to  report  to  the  General  Assembly  at  this  session.  No 
report  has  come  into  the  hands  of  your  Committee  from  that 
Special  Committee. 

From  a  letter  in  our  possession  we  learn  that  three  Churches 
have  already  adopted  the  plan  and  that  at  least  two  more  are 
expected   to  adopt  it.     Your  Committee   are   unable  to   see   that 


THE  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY.  297 

any  great  advantage  will  accrue  to  the  Cumberland  I'resbyterian 
Cliurcli  by  becoming  a  member  o£  the  proposed  Federation. 
Additional  macMnery  must  be  created  by  such  Federation,  and 
necessaiily  additional  expense  must  be  borne  by  the  federated 
Churches. 

We  tliink  that  our  Church's  mission  can  be  better  accomplished 
by  rigidly  maintaining  om-  distinct  ecclesiastical  j^ersonality.  We 
therefore  recommend  that  you  decline  to  adopt  the  proposed  "Plan 
of  Federation."— 1895,  p.  52. 

(&)  ///  couperatioii  in  Home  Mission  work. 

The  Conmiittee  on  Correspondence  presented  the  following 
report,  which  was  adopted: 

Your  Committee  on  Correspondence  have  had  referred  to  them 
a  communication  from  the  Western  Section  of  the  Flxecutive 
Commission  of  the  Alliance  of  the  Reformed  Churches  through- 
out the  world  holding  the  Presbyterian  System,  aslcing  your 
venerable  body  to  adopt  the  following  plan  of  cooperation  in  Home 
Missions,  Church  Extension,  and  Sabbath  school  work,  viz.: 

1.  That  in  the  work  of  all  these  Boards,  as  related  to  each 
other,  the  authority  of  the  Church  courts  is  to  be  recognized  as 
final. 

2.  That  there  shall  be  no  interference  with  churches,  missions, 
or  Sabbath  schools  at  present  existing,  unless  by  voluntary  agree- 
ment between  the  denominations  directly  concerned. 

3.  That  ordinarily,  no  churches,  missions  or  Sabbath  schools 
shall  be  established  in  small  communities  where  the  field  is  fully 
occupied  by  other  Presbyterian  or  Reformed  Churches. 

4.  That  the  Supreme  Judicatories  of  the  several  Churches  recom- 
mend their  church  members  when  moving  into  new  communities, 
in  which  there  is  no  congregation  of  their  own  Church,  to  unite, 
for  the  time  being,  with  some  other  Presbyterian  or  Reformed 
Church,  if  such  there  be. 

5.  That  if  cases  of  difference  of  opinion  arise  in  connection  with 
the  work,  they  shall  be  referred  for  consideration  and  amicable 
adjustment  to  the  missionar}-  authorities  of  the  denominations 
directly  concerned. 

Your  Committee  most  heartily  approve  this  plan  of  practical  co- 


298  PART  IV.,  CHURCH  COURTS. 

operation  m  the  eH'ort  to  extend  the  kingdom  of  Christ  on  earth. 
Its  beuelits  are  many  and  manifest,  and  need  no  elaboration.  We 
recommend  that  the  Assembly  a])jjrove  and  adopt  the  plan,  and  we 
further  recommend  that  you  instruct  your  Boards  of  Missions, 
Church  Erection,  and  Sabbath  school  work  to  act  in  hannony  with 
the  principles  laid  down  in  the  foregoing  jjlan. — 189G.  pp.  53,  54. 

The  Committee  on  Correspundence  submitted  a  report,  asking 
the  /Assembly  to  give  a  negative  answer  to  memorials  herein  named, 
but  on  motion  of  Rev.  H.  F.  Bone  the  report  was  amended  and 
ado})ted  a.s  follows: 

Memorials  have  been  referred  to  us  from  the  Pacific  Synod, 
and  from  the  MadisoJi  I'resbylery.  in  which  the  memorialists  take 
excei)tion  to  the  "Plan  of  Cooperation"  in  home  missions,  church 
extension,  and  Sabbath  school  work,  and  ask  your  venerable  body 
to  rescind  the  same.  The  items  specially  objectionable  to  your 
inemoiialists  are  numbers  4  and  5  of  said  "Plan.'" 

Item  4  is  as  follows:  "The  Supreme  Judicatories  of  the  several 
Churches  recommend  their  church  members,  when  moving  into 
new  communities,  in  wliich  there  is  no  congregation  of  their  own 
Church,  to  unite,  for  the  time  being,  with  some  other  Presljyterian 
or  Reformed  Church,  if  such  there  be.'"' 

Item  5  reads  thus:  "That  if  cases  of  diii'erence  of  opinion  arise 
in  connection  with  the  work,  they  shall  be  referred,  for  co]isid- 
eration  and  amicable  adjustment,  to  the  missionary  authorities  of 
the  denominations  directly  concerned." 

The  objections  urged  by  your  memorialists  against  the  "Plan  of 
Cooperation  among  the  Churches  of  the  Presbyterian  Alliance," 
commend  themselves  to  us  as  of  sufficient  weight  to  justify  your 
venerable  body  in  rescinding  the  Plan  as  adopted  by  the  General 
Assembly  at  Birmingham,  and  hence  we  recommend  that  the  peti- 
tion of  your  memorialists  be  granted. — 1897.  pp.  oO,  40. 

The  following  resolution,  offered  by  Rev.  A.  B.  Johnson,  was 
adopted : 

Vtlitrtas,  This  General  x\ssembly.  by  a  small  majority,  has  ex- 
pressed its  disapproval  of  the  Plan  of  Federation  proposed  by  the 
Alliance  of  the  Prcsliyterian  Clmrches,  of  which  the  Cumberland 
Presbyterian  Church  is  a  part;  and. 


THE  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY.  2W9 

VK/iereos,  Our  aiiiliatiuu  vvitli  said  Alliance  lias  been,  aud  is  now, 
eminently  satisi'aetoiy,  and  ue  desire  the  same  liappy  and  brotherly 
relations  to  continue,  both  i'or  the  honor  of  our  own  connm)n 
Master  cind  the  progress  of  his  kingdom,  therefore. 

Resolved,  That  the  representatives  of  the  Cumberland  Presby- 
terian Church,  in  the  Executive  Commission  of  the  Alliance  of 
lieformed  Churches  holding  the  Presbyterian  System,  be  requested 
to  confer  with  said  Commission,  with  a  view  of  presenting  the 
subject  in  such  form  as  may  be  agreeable  to  this  General  Assem])ly. 
—1897,  pp.  77,  78. 

The  following  communication  from  the  Executive  Commission, 
Western  iSeetion,  of  the  Pan-Presbyterian  Alliance  was  read,  and 
refeiTed  to  the  Connnittee  on   Correspondence: 

2'o  the  General  Asaemhly  of  the  Cumberland  F r&sbyterian  Church: 
HoxoEED  Bkethkex: — The  Western  Section  of  this  Alliance, 
at  its  meeting  in  Pliiladelphia,  on  April  14,  1898,  adopted  a  paper 
having  relation  to  the  Plan  of  Cooperation  in  Home  ilissions, 
which  was  approved  as  a  Plan  by  the  xllliance  in  April,  1896, 
and  transmitted  to  your  venerable  Ijody  in  May  of  the  same  year. 
[See  extracts  from  Minutes,  1896,  on  p.  297  of  this  work.]  The 
paper  is  as  follows: 

Co-operation   in  Home  Missions. 

Tu  the  Western  SecUon  of  the  Alliance: 

The  Committee  on  Cooperation  in  Home  j\Iissions  respectfully 
submit  the  following  report,  upon  matters  connected  with  the 
Plan  of  Cooperation,  referred  to  the  Committee  at  the  last  meet- 
ing. It  appears  that  there  is  objection  to  Principle  of  Action 
No.  4,  of  the  Plan,  to  the  effect,  that,  in  the  end,  the  recom- 
mendation therein  refeiTed  to  works  hurtfully  to  the  weaker  de- 
nominations. 

The  Committee  have  to  state  that  this  certainly  is  not  the  pur- 
pose of  tills  Principle  of  Action.  There  was  no  design  to  cause 
injury  througli  it  to  any  of  the  Churches  which  are  associated 
^vith  it  in  the  Alliance.  Its  chief  objects  were  to  retain  in  the 
General   Prosbvlerian    Communion   members   of   the   Churches   in 


300  PART  IV.,  CHURCH  COURTS. 

the  Alliance  removing  from  one  community  to  another,  and  to 
promote  the  spirit  of  fraternity  between  them.  There  are  persons 
who  have  been  lost  altogether  to  the  Churches  in  the  Alliance, 
owing  to  the  lack  of  such  a  recommendation  as  is  found  in  Prin- 
ciple of  Action  No.  4. 

Further,  it  is  to  be  noted  that  said  Principle  of  Action  No.  4 
should  always  be  construed  in  the  light  of  Principle  No.  3. 
Neither  of  these  principles  ^^■as  intended  to  interfere  with  the 
reasonable  desires  or  plans  that  church  members  previously  con- 
nected with  any  Presbyterian  Church  might  have  or  might  reason- 
ably expect  to  have  for  a  church  of  their  own  denomination,  in 
the  community  where  they  are  located,  for  the  time  being,  in  the 
providence  of  God.  The  recommendation  set  forth  in  Principle 
No.  4,  in  our  opinion,  therefore,  should  not  be  construed  as  an 
obstacle  in  the  way  of  the  organization,  whenever  it  shall  be 
deemed  wise,  of  a  particular  church  of  any  one  of  our  denomina- 
tions, in  a  community  where  church  members  locate. 

There  has  been  also  objection  to  Principle  No.  5,  upon  the 
ground  that  it  ignores  Presbyteries  and  Synods,  which  it  is  claimed 
are  more  competent  tO'  pass  upon  questions  of  difference  than 
missionar}'  boards.  In  reply  to  this  objection,  it  is  to  be  said  that 
Principle  No.  1  recognizes  the  only  final  authority  in  all  matters 
as  the  Church  courts.  And  Principle  No.  5  is  to  be  interpreted 
in  the  light  of  this  declaration.  The  Committee  desires  to  em- 
phasize the  supremacy  of  the  Church  judicatories  in  all  matters 
ecclesiastical. 

Your  Committee  wotild  therefore  recommend  the  following 
action  upon  the  Plan  of  Cooperation: 

Resolved  1.  That  the  recommendation  set  forth  in  Principle 
No.  4,  of  the  Plan  of  Cooperation  in  Home  Missions,  approved  by 
the  Western  Section  of  tliis  Alliance,  and  submitted  to  the  several 
Churches  therein,  is  not  to  be  understood  as  an  obstacle  in  the  way 
of  the  organization,  whenever  it  should  be  deemed  wise,  of  a  par- 
ticular church  of  any  one  of  our  denominations,  in  a  community 
where  church  members  locate. 

Resolved  2.  That  Principle  No.  5  of  the  Plan  of  Cooperation 
is  to  be  interpreted  in  the  light  of  Principle  No.  1.  This  section 
of  the  Alliance  reiterates  the  declaration  that  the  authority  of 
the  Church  courts  is  to  be  recognized  as  final. 


THE  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY.  301 

The  report,  was  received,  and  after  discussion  adopted. 

I  also  enclose  herewitli  a  copy  of  tlie  Plan  of  Cooperation  in 
Home  Missions,  as  approved  by  the  Western  Section  of  the  Al- 
liance. [See  Plan  of  Cooperation,  p.  29T. — J.  Y.  S.]  Eenewing, 
in  behalf  of  the  Assembl}^,  the  expressions  of  fraternal  feeling, 
I  am,  Fraternally  yours, 

Wm.  Henky  Roberts,  American  Secretary. 

Philadelpliia,  Pa.,  May  13,  1898.  —1898,  pp.  35,  36. 

The  following  report  of  the  Ciimljerland  Presbyterian  members 
•of  the  Executive  Commission,  Western  Section,  of  the  Pan-Pres- 
byterian Alliance  was  refeiTed  to  the  Committee  on  Correspond- 
ence: 

Since  1884,  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church  has  been  a 
member  of  the  Alliance  of  the  Eeformed  Churches  holding  the 
Presbyterian  System,  and  has  thus  been  recognized  as  a  consti- 
tuent part  of  the  Presbyterian  family.  This  relation  has  jiroved 
■eminently  satisfactory  and  abundantly  helpful  in  many  ways.  The 
Constitution  of  the  Alliance  provides:  "The  Council  shall  not 
interfere  with  the  existing  Creed  and  Constitution  of  any  Church 
in  the  Alliance,  or  with  its  internal  order  or  externtil  relations." 

In  the  management  of  the  affairs  of  the  Alliance  it  has  been 
the  constant  aim  of  the  Executive  Commission  not  in  any  way  to 
encroach  upon  this  safeguard  of  the  Constitution.  xVmong  the 
standing  Committees  of  the  Alliance,  there  is  one  on  Cooperation 
in  Foreign  Missions,  and  another  on  Cooperation  in  Home  Mis- 
sions. Through  the  former  channel,  Presbyterians  of  all  branches, 
from  all  parts  of  the  world,  have  been  enabled  to  work  together 
in  the  Foreign  Field  in  a  way  that  honors  God  and  has  wrought 
great  good  to  the  common  cause  of  world  evangelization.  Par- 
ticularly is  this  true  of  Presbyterian  j\Iissions  in  Japan,  with 
which  our  Church  is  connected.  The  same  is  being  done  through 
the  Home  Mission  Committee.  The  plan  of  Cooperation  adopted 
in  1896,  by  our  General  Assembly,  is  set  forth  in  the  following 
.articles:     [See  articles  on  p.  297  of  this  work.] 

These  articles  are  held  to  be  in  strict  accord  with  the  provision 
•of  the  Constitution  of  the  Alliance  above  quoted.  The  last  General 
Assembly  having  objected  to  these  Articles,  and  having  requested 


302  PART  IW,  CHURCH  COURTS. 

its  representatives  in  tli^e  Executive  Couiniission,  "to  confer  with 
said  Commission,  with  a  view  of  presenting  the  subject  in  sucli 
form  as  may  be  agreeable  to  this  General  Assembly,""  at  the  same 
time  declaring  the  affiliation  of  the  Uumberl.nid  Presbyterian 
Church  in  said  Alliance  to  have  been  ■■eminently  sntisiactory  and 
desiring  the  same  happy  and  brotherly  relations  lo  continue,""  the 
Executive  Commission,  on  our  motion,  has  duly  considered  the 
whole  subject  and  has  submitted  to  your  body  a  statcjuent,  that 
was  presented  on  yesterday,  which  wu  are  constJ'ainud  to  Ijelieve 
should  suffice  to  remove  all  groiuid  of  objection  froiu  the  mind 
of  any  Cumberland  Presbyterian  who  really  tlesires  to  live  and 
labor  in  love  and  fellowship  with  our  bretlii'en  of  the  i^resbyterian 
household,  and  it  would  surely  not  be  inap[)ropriate  for  your  vener- 
able body  so  to  declare. 

in  referring  to  tliis  communication  fi'om  tlie  Executive  Com- 
mission we  assume,  further,  to  mention  to  your  venerable  body 
that,  in  our  judgment,  true  fellowslup  and  brotherly  cooperation 
do  not  depend  primarily  upon,  and  are  not  always  promoted  by, 
direct  legislation,  and  we  submit  that  further  legislation  on  this 
subject  at  the  present  time,  by  our  General  Assembly,  is,  after  all, 
not  a  matter  of  great  consecpience  for  the  promotion  of  these  most 
desirable  ends;  although  a  hearty  concurrence  in  the  principles  of 
cooperation,  as  construed  by  the  action  of  the  Alliance  above  cited, 
would  be  a  suitable  declaration  of  ecclesiastical  comity. 

As  the  greater  includes  the  less,  so  the  Alliance  itself  provided 
a  broad  and  exalted  plane  of  fellowsbip,  the  legitimate  results  of 
which  must  insure  mutual  resjject  and  Ijrotherly  love  among  all 
branches  of  the  Presl)yterian  family.  This  is  in  line  with  the 
trend  of  the  times  and  is  in  harmony  with  the  spirit  of  the  age. 
Proceeding  ujvon  this  high  ])lane,  we  shall  come  more  and  more 
to  see  eye  to  eye,  knowing  and  loving  each  other  better,  growing 
in  mutual  conlidence,  so  that  in  due  time  all  necessary  enactments 
must  follow  natui'ally  and  in  a  way  that  can  arouse  no  apprehen- 
sion throughout  our  borders.  Confident  that  there  is  no  occasion 
for  such  apprehension  now,  we  submit  these  great  interests  to 
your  keeping,  praying  that  whatever  course  you  adopt  may  con- 
duce to  the  highest  and  broadest  influence  of  the  Cumberland 
Presbyterian  denomination  in  its  relation  to  the  Presbyterian 
family,  also  to  tlie  forwai'diiiii'  of  our  orreat  work  and  the  extension 


THE  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY.  303 

of  the  Master's  Kingdom,  aiul  likewise  to  tlie  lienor  of  our  blessed 
Jjord,  who  prayed  for  imit)'  and  fellowsliip  among  his  followers. 

Wsi.  11.  Black, 

B.  P.  FULLEKTON, 

W.  S.  Danley, 
A.  E.  Turner, 
J.  V.  Stephens. 
— 18!).S.  pp.  43,  44. 

The  Committee  on  C'orreisitonder.ce  submitted  the  following- 
report,  wliich  was  adoi)ted: 

There  have  been  refen-ed  to  your  Committee  memorials  from 
three  Presbyteries,  asking  that  the  action  of  the  last  /Assembly  with 
reference  to  the  Plan  of  Cooperation  of  the  Alliance  of  Presby- 
terian Churches,  ])e  reconsidered;  also  a  paper  from  the  Executive 
Committee  of  the  Alliance,  and  a  report  from  the  Cumberland 
Presjbyterian  niend)ers  of  the  Executive  Commission  of  the  Aj 
lianee,  and  a  pa])er  from  certain  ministers  and  elders  with  refer- 
ence to  the  same  Plan  of  Codi)eration. 

Concerning  the  re(|iicst  that  the  whole  matter  l)e  referred  to 
the  Presbyteries,  it  is  the  opinion  of  your  Committee,  that,  inas- 
much a.s  the  Clonstitution  makes  it  the  duty  of  the  General  Assem- 
bly "to  institute  and  su])erintend  the  agencies  necessary  in  the 
general  work  of  the  Church,"  and  "to  correspond  with  other 
Churches,"'  and,  iiiasimich  as  the  Uoard  of  Missions,  which  is 
directly  concerned  in  the  J'hui  of  C*ooperation,  is  a  creature  of  the 
General  Assembly,  therefore,  the  subject  is  one  which  should  be 
settled  1)V  the  Assi'mbly. 

In  response  to  the  otiiei'  memorials,  we  present  to  you  the  fol- 
lowing facts:  In  18i)()  the  Assembly  adopted  the  Plan  of  Co- 
(ijjeration  proposed  by  the  Western  Section  of  the  Alliance  of  Re- 
fonued  Churches.  In  1S!)7  the  action  of  the  last  preceding  As- 
sembly was  rescinded,  on  account  of  objection  to  certain  points  in 
the  plan,  and,  later,  the  Cund)erland  Pret?byterian  members  of  tlie 
Exectttive  Commission  of  the  Alliance  were  recpiesti'd  to  confer 
with  the  Kxecutive  Commission,  with  a  view^  to  having  the  plan 
presented  in  a  form  more  acceptalile  to  this  Assembly. 

Such  conference  was  had,  and  communicaticms  have  been  read 
to  this  Assembly  (',\i)laining   the   st'ctions  to   which   ol)jeclion    was 


304  PART  TV:,  CHURCH  COURTS. 

made.  To  the  mind  of  your  Committee,  tliese  communications 
explain  very  satisfactorily  the  sections  of  the  plan  to  which  ex- 
ception was  taken. 

The  first  objection  was  to  Section  4.  That  section  reads,  "'The 
Supreme  Judicatories  of  the  several  Churches  recommend  their 
church  members,  when  moving  into  new  communities  in  wliich 
there  is  no  congregation  of  their  own  Church,  to  unite,  for  the 
time  being,  with  some  other  Presbyterian  or  Reformed  Chiu-ch, 
if  such  there  be." 

Tliis  does  not  mean,  according  to  the  exi)lanation  of  the  Com- 
mission, that  our  members  should  be  told  never  to  expect  the 
organization  of  a  Cumberland  Presbyterian  church  in  that  com- 
munity. It  simply  means  that  they  should  unite  \vith  a  Presby- 
terian church  rather  than  with  a  church  of  another  ecclesiastical 
family  or  to  remadn  indefinitely  without  any  local  church  relation- 
ship. 

The  second  objection  was  to  Section  5,  which  reads:  "That  if 
cases  of  difference  of  opinion  arise  in  connection  with  the  work, 
they  shall  be  referred  for  consideration  and  auiicable  adjustment  to 
the  missionary  authorities  of  the  denominations  concerned." 

Your  Committee  does  not  know  just  the  nature  of  the  objection, 
but  pr(;suniably  it  was  to  the  effect  that  authority  which  belongs 
alone  to  Church  judicatories  was  given,  by  this  section,  to  the 
Mission  Boards.  It  is  made  clear,  however,  by  the  explanation  of 
the  Executive  Commission,  that  the  Mission  Boards  are  not  given 
any  superior  power,  but  merely  that  they  are  designated  as  arbiters 
to  whom  difl'erences  shall  be  referred  for  consideration  and  adjust- 
ment, and  that  Presbyteries  and  Synods  shall  still  have  power  to 
accept  or  reject  the  conclusion  of  these  arbiters,  as  they  may 
see  lit. 

It  seems  to  your  Committee  that  the  objections  to  the  Plan  of 
Cooperation  are,  in  the  light  of  these  explanations,  without  weight, 
and  that  they  should  no  longer  stand  in  the  way  of  your  hearty 
cooperation  with  your  brethren  in  other  Presbyterian  house- 
holds. 

We,  therefore,  recommend: 

1.  That  you  approve  the  Plan  of  Cooperation,  as  explained  by 
the  resolutions  adopted  by  the  Executive  Commission  of  the  Al- 
liance, on  April  14,  1898. 


THIi  CEXERAL  ASSEMBLY.  305 

2.  That,  in  order  to  avoid  any  possil)k>  luisniidurstandinp-s.  vou 
I'lirtlicr  iiiterjiret  Section  4  as  follows: 

(1)  The  adoption  of  this  section  is  not  intended  as  a  recom- 
mendation that  oiir  mendicis,  who  may  move  into  a  community 
whei'e  tliere  is  no  C'und)erland  J'resl)}te)'ian  eliurch,  should  unite 
at  once  with  another  Preshyterian  church,  without  any  considera- 
tion of  CumLerland  l?resl)yterian  intei'ests. 

(2)  It  is  ijitended  to  ur^c  tliat,  when  such  meuil)ers  decide  that 
they  should  unite  with  a  local  congi'ei:a1ion.  they  should  .^ive 
jirefCiCnce  to  a  Lliurch  of  the  l'i'esl)yterian  family. 

(3)  We  further  recommend  to  our  mend)ers  that,  when  they 
move  into  a  community  where  there  is  no  Cumherland  Presljy- 
terian  church,  they  should  consult  the  i'resbytery  having  jurisdic- 
tion as  to  the  prohahility  of  the  organization  of  a  Cumherland 
Preshytt  rian  I'hurch  in  that  connnunily.  If,  in  the  opinion  of  the 
Preshytery,  such  organization  is  advisal)le  and  prohahle,  the  mcm- 
her  should  he  advised  to  I'ctain  his  membership  in  the  Cumberland 
Presbyterian  (omnuuiion,  cooperating,  meanwhile,  in  the  local 
work  of  another  Presbyterian  church.  If,  on  the  other  hand,  the 
Presbytery  ihink  tlie  t)rganization  of  a  Cumberland  Presbyterian 
church  in  said  community  to  be  unadvisable.  then  the  member 
should  be  advised  to  enter  the  communion  of  another  Presbyterian 
Church.— 1898,  pp.  Gl,  (i2. 

(G)      DEl.tVEliANCES      OF      THl':      (JeXKRAL      AsSE.MliLY      JX      PeFER- 
EXCE   TO   THE   PO-MAX    Ca'JIIULIC    ClILHC'lI. 

Besolved,  That  in  the  opinion  of  this  General  Assembly,  the 
pa])acy,  as  an  organized  body,  is  no  part  of  the  C'hurch  of  Christ, 
but  tlie  '"Man  of  Sin,"  as  named  in  the  Pible. 

Iiesoln'd.  That  the  "^lan  of  Sin"  or  '"iuystery  of  iniquity,"  is  a 
A\"ell  organized  political  jiower.  and  oj)j)osed  to  liberty  of  all  kinds, 
and  ospecially  to  that  of  the  soul,  and  the  right  to  worship  God 
according  to  the  dictates  of  conscience.  That  in  the  opinion  of 
this  Assembly  their  institutions  of  learning,  of  every  kind,  are 
dangerous  snares  to  Protestants  and  the  children  of  the  free;  and 
the  strength  of  their  secret  policy  is  to  cast  down  our  dear  and 
lovely  institutions,  if  not  directly  by  gold,  cei-tainly  by  its 
price. 
20 


306  PART  IV.,  CHURCH  COURTS. 

llesoived,  'I'liat  we  do  most  earnestly  reeoniinend  to  our  people 
and  all  Protestant  families,  liberally  and  religiously  to  patronize 
institution';  of  learning  under  the  control  of  those  who  know  the 
worth  of  pure  religion  and  the  price  of  religious  liberty.  •  And, 
niorecver,  we  ^\arn  all  who  love  God,  their  families,  their  country, 
their  hemes,  to  do  all  they  can  to  Christianize  Catholics  and  to  do 
them  good,  l;ut  to  keep  their  sons  and  their  daughters  out  of 
their  insliiutions  of  learning,  as  from  the  snares  oi  ruin,  and  to 
educate  them  in  the  schools  of  those  who  know  what  it  is  to 
breathe  in  the  pure  spirit  of  religious  liberty.  Adopted. — 1845, 
].p.  -^ryz-'ibo,  ^.ittS. 

Besolved,  1st.  That  the  providences  of  the  Great  Head  of  the 
Church,  seem,  at  the  })resent  time  as  never  before,  to  be  demanding 
of  the  Chui'ch  a  special  regard,  both  in  iheir  prayers  and  efforts, 
for  the  thousands  of  the  deluded  followers  of  the  "Man  of  Sin/' 
now  in  our  midst. 

llesulved,  '/A.  That  it  is  the  decided  ojjinion  of  this  General 
Assembly,  that  no  incidental  or  indirect  elfort  will  ever  accom- 
plish the  evangelization  of  this  class. 

Resolved,  lid.  That  we,  therefore,  hail  with  increased  delight  the 
organization  of  the  American  and  Foreign  Chiistian  Union,  so 
catholic  in  lis  character,  so  noble  and  Christlike  in  its  designs,  so 
well  adapted  in  the  modes  of  its  operations  to  reach  this  class,  and 
whose  success  has  been  so  significant  and  blessed. 

licsolved,  4th.  That  the  remarkable  success  of  the  American 
and  Foreign  Christian  Union  in  gaining  access  already  to  thou- 
sands of  our  Komish  citizens,  should  rebuke  the  unbelief  of  the 
Church  in  regard  to  the  conversion  (jf  Koman  Catholics,  and 
inspire  it  with  new  faith  and  hope  in  the  promises  of  God  and 
with  stronger  desires  to  bear  a  part  in  the  great  work  of  saving' 
the  lost.   Adopted. — 1854,  p.  56. 

The  following  was  adopted  by  the  Assembly: 

Whereas,  The  harmony  and  perpetuity  of  our  social,  ci^dl,  polit- 
ical and  religious  institutions,  are.  with  the  Ijlessing  of  God, 
dependent  upon  intellectual  and  moral  instniction,  and  that  system 
of  education  is  most  conducive  to  the  interests  and  happiness  of 
mankind,  wbich  combines  in  the  highest  degree  freedom  of 
thousibt,  prdiciencv  in  literature,  and  refinement  in  morals;  and, 


THE  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY.  307 

Wlicvcaa,  We  regard  with  a.pprelicii&ive  iiiteresi,  tiie  aggressive 
cirurts  uf  liunianists  and  JesuiLs  in  our  midsl,  who,  under  the 
l)hiubible  pretexts  ol  educational  interests,  are  estabhshing  schools, 
convents  and  colleges,  into  which  they  are  endeavoring  to  alliu"e 
American  Ti-otestant  youth,  and  thercijy  evcniually  suppress  the 
I'reedonx  of  thought  and  instill  into  their  pure  and  susceptible 
minds  princijilcs  subversive  of  our  civil  and  religious  institutions; 
and, 

\\hcrms,  It  is  obvious  that,  in  this  and  other  Protestant  conn- 
trios,  the  literary  and  moral  training  of  })upils,  is,  in  most  in- 
stances, i-econciaiy  or  incidental,  cxe-ept  so  far  as  may  subserve  the 
system  of  "j/ious  fraud""  by  wliich  I'apal  Kome  is  striving  to 
crush  to  the  earth  the  hbind-bcuight,  heaven-blessed  institutions 
of  our  beloved  country;  therefore, 

liCSulcecL  Tiiat  Ave  regard  with  apprehension  all  efforts  to  estab- 
lish literary  institutions  in  our  midst  which  do  not  recognize  the 
autliority  of  the  Jloly  8crii)tures  and  ap})rove  of  their  general 
circulation. 

Ji'esuli'eci,  That  the  jn-esent  efforts  of  the  i\omanish  Hiei-archy 
to  overrun  our  western  valley  by  lioinanists  and  foreign  paupers, 
taken  in  connection  with  their  known  plans  and  ample  means, 
demand  and  should  awaken  a  deep  interest  for  the  future  and 
permanent  safety  of  our  country. 

JU'solved,  'j'hat  liomanism  in  its  spirit,  organization  and  institu- 
tions  ib   anti-liepublican    and   anti-American    and    anti-Christian. 

Iienvli-ed,  That  in  ojjposing  the  aggressive  etforts  of  Romanists, 
we  disclaim  all  intention  to  proscribe  any  class  of  religionists  on 
account  of  religious  faith  or  })olitics  alone,  but  that  we  repudiate 
the  assumed  doctrine  of  Divine  Eight  by  which  the  Pope  of 
Pome  and  th.e  Pa])al  Hierarchy  have  in  time  past  claimed,  and 
do  now  claim,  the  right  to  control  institutions  in  this  and  other 
countries. 

Resolrech  That  this  Assembly  recommend  churches.  Presbyteries, 
and  Synods  under  its  care,  to  employ  all  laudable  means  to  dis- 
senunate  general  intelligence,  circnlate  the  Bible,  and  sustain 
our  free  and  re]niblican  institutions. 

Besolreil.  That  Cumberland  Pre.-bytcrians  be  and  they  are  earn- 
cstlv  rennested.  as  thev  value  the  institutions  of  this  conntrv  and 


508  PART  IW,  CilCkCH  COURTS. 

the  precious  souls  of  tlieir  cliildreii,  to  jelrain  i'roiu  patrouiziug 
lioiuish  fchools. — 185-J,  })p.  oG,  3T. 

liesolvetL  1st.  That,  in  view  of  tlie  fact  that  between  one  him- 
(h-ed  and  seventy-live  and  two  liundred  nnllions  of  tliose  now  living 
are  lionian  Catholics,  and  that  three  and  a  quarter  millions  of  these 
are  found  within  the  limits  of  our  own  lanch  the  American  Church 
is  loudl}'  caUed  U]ion  to  ln'slir  ilsell  in  their  behalf,  and  use 
every  means  lo  secure  the  social,  civil,  intellectual,  and  spiritual 
welfare  of  this  large  class  ol'  our  fellow  men. 

liesuived,  .'d.  That,  i'l  \iew  of  the  gi'cat  success  which  has 
hitherto  al tended  the  eliorts  of  the  .vmerican  and  Foreign  Chris- 
tian L'jiion.  both  in  this  country  and  in  hhirope.  this  Assemhly 
recogr.izc.  the  lucau--  which,  with  a  continuance  of  the  divine 
blessing,  caujiol  but  result  in  eternal  good  to  those  masses,  deluded 
by  the  "Man  of  8in."     Adopted. — 165(3,  }).  -11. 

The   following   preamble   and    resolutiiuis   were   ado])ted: 

Whcrc'jf^,  lioman  Catholics  are  making  extensive  aaid  vigorous 
efl'orts  to  gain  a  controlling"  inllueiice  in  our  cou.ntry.  by  estai)lish- 
ing  schools  and  other  institutions  ];eculiai'  to  ti;em:  and, 

Wlivrcds.  I'ast  experience  shows  that  such  controlling  influence 
•would  endanger  our  libertit's.  lioth  ci\il  and  religious;  therefore, 

liesolred.  l>y  this  (u'ueral  Assemhly.  That  it  is  the  duty  of  our 
people  to  unite  their  influence  with  other  Protestants  in  resisting, 
in  all  suitable  and  legitimate  ways,  the  encroaching  powers  of 
the  "Mau  of  Sin"  in  our  country. 

Resolved,  That  we  earnestly  and  urgently  recpicst  all  Cumber- 
land Preshyterians  to  avoid  sending  their  sons  and  daughters  to 
Iloman  Catholic  schools,  believing  that  these  schools,  if  not  in- 
tended, are  used  for  proselyting  jmrposes.  and  to  patronize  our  own 
colleges  and  schools,  which  are  adai)ted  to  the  wants  of  our  chil- 
dren and  youths,  and  well  worthy  the  confidence  of  the  entire 
country. — 1870.  p.  31. 

The  following  was  adopted: 

\Vhereas,  Pro])hecy  and  Pi'ovidence  seem  to  indicate  that  a  great 
intellectual  and  moral  conflict  is  before  the  American  jjeople.  in- 
volving the  ])rinciples  of  c-ivil  and  religious  liln'rtv.  and  threatening 


THE  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY.  309 

to  subvert  the  institutiuns  of  this  eoimtry  by  ignoring  the  Sab- 
bath, discarding  the  Bibk'.  and  Djiposing  the  general  ditt'iisiion  of 
knowledge;  and 

\\]ierm)i.  The  temporal  j)o\ver  of  the  l^ipacy  is  broken  in  Italy, 
and  throughout  the  Eastern  Continent,  and  it  is  now  concentrating 
its  energies  on  the  Western  Continent.  therel)y  eiuleavoring  to 
gain  here  what  it  has  lost  there;  and 

ir//f7Y^«.s',  ^lany  Protestants.  a})preheiuling  no  danger  front 
Eomanisni.  lend  their  intiuence  and  patronage  to  build  up  and 
sustain  Konum  churches  and  schools;  therefore. 

Resolved,  'J'hat  lioruanisni  ever  has  Ijeen.  aiul  is  now.  inherently 
intolerant,  and  that  its  aggressive  efforts  in  Auierica,  when  taken 
in  connection  with  its  avowed  purposes  and  plans  to  subject  the 
institutions  of  this  countiy,  and  its  persistent  efforts  to  sup|)ress  the 
Bible,  and  destroy  free  schools,  should  excite  ap])rehension,  and 
caJl  forth  vigorous  efforts  to  difl'iise  light   upon  this  subject. 

B'&solvc'd.  That  this  General  Assend)ly  docs  hereby  recommend 
Presbyteries  and  Synods  to  ado])t  such  measuies  as  in  their  opin- 
ion will  be  l)cst  adapted  to  dissemiimte  information  on  this  subject, 
and  ])rotect  this  fair  land  from  the  enci'oacliments  of  Romanism, 
which,  has  cursed  every  other  country  where  its  influence  has 
predominated. 

Besolred,  That  ])arents  who  covenant  to  ti'aiu  u])  their  children 
in  the  nurture  and  admonition  of  the  Lord,  and  subsequently  send 
them  to  Roman  schools,  or  convents,  violate  their  covenant  vows, 
and  should  be  advised  and  admonished  in  the  spirit  of  Christian 
charity  to  desist. 

Resolved,  Tliat.  in  consideration  of  the  dissemination  of  infidel 
sentiments  throughout  this  country,  and  the  combined  efforts  of 
Papists  ajid  infidels  to  destroy  the  lUljle  and  opi)ose  ])iimitive  Chris- 
tianity, it  is  hereby  declared  to  be  the  duty  of  all  I'hristians,  and 
especially  of  ministers  of  the  Gospel,  to  contend  earnestly  for  the 
faith,  and  make  special  efforts  to  defend  the  Jiible  against  the 
combined  assaults  of  its  enemies. — 18T4,  p.  31. 

The  memorial  of  Porter  Presl)ytery,  asking  that  our  Church 
declare  itself  op})Osed  to  the  extension  of  government  aid  to  sec- 
tarian schools,  was  before  your  Committee;  and.  after  due  con- 
sideration  thereof,  we  recommend   that  tlie   following  be  adopted 


310  PART  IV.,  CHURCH  COURTS. 

as  a  declaratiuii  ol'  llie  ijulicy  uf  our  Cliurch,  \iz.:  That  one  of 
the  fimdaineiiUil  priueijjk's  ujion  which  the  Govi'nimL'jit  of  the 
United  States,  and  of  the  several  States,  was  founded,  was  that 
Church  and  State  shoukl  be  separate  and  reujain  so.  Our  Church 
has  at  all  times  believed  in  said  princijile.  We  Jjelieve  this  prin- 
ciple is  violated  whenever  either  national,  stale  or  municipal  gov- 
ernments extend  to  any  sectarian  school  financial  aid,  and  that 
such  financial  aid  tends  to  Ijriny  al)oul  a  union  ol  Churcli  and 
State.  We,  therefore,  herel)y  place  our  Church  on  record  as 
opposed  to  the  government — national,  state  oj-  municipal — extend- 
ing any  financial  aid  to  any  sectarian  school.  AdoptecL — 1895, 
p.  31. 

26.  Attitude  of  the    General  Assembly   toward  certain 
religious  societies  and  other  organizations. 

(1)  The  Ciiiustj!vn  Alliance. 

It  is  further  recommended  that  you  appoint  a  delegate  to  attend 
the  great  Christian  Alliance  or  Union  Convention,  to  meet  in 
London,  in  August  next. — IStli,  p.  483.  MSS. 

(2)   The   American   Scxday   School  Union. 

lien  li-ed.  That  we  heai'tily  aiqtrove  the  nol)le  jiurpose  of  the 
American  Sunday  School  Union  to  plant  a  Sunday  school  in 
every  destitute  neighborhood  throughout  our  broad  land,  and 
we  cordially  recommend  it  to  the  various  congregations  under 
our  care.     Ado])ted. — 185(),  ]>.  2~). 

We  recommend  .  .  .  that  you  continue  your  sympathy  to  the. 
American  Sunday  School  Union  in  its  efforts  to  place  the  Gospel 
of  Christ  in  the  hands  of  our  destitute  sections.  Ado]ited. — 1884, 
p.  30. 

(3)  The  Colonization  Society. 

The  following  preandjle  and  resolution  were  adopted: 
Whereas.   The  objects  and  aims  of  the  American   Colonization 
Society  are  not  only  grand  and  noble,  originating  in   the  hearts 
and  heads  of  some  of   the   most  devoledlv   jiioiis  men   and  true 


THE  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY.  311 

patriots  of  the  nation,  but  its  \vorl\ings  and  results  have  shown 
most  full}-  that  it  is  designed  by  the  Almighty  to  l>e  the  riehest 
blessing  to  those  colonized  that  has  ever  been  cunfeired  on  their 
race,  and  is  likely  to  be  the  most  eflicient  means  of  civilizing  and 
Christianizing  Africa,  as  well  as  the  most  appropriate  and  suc- 
cessful way  of  disposing  of  the  free  colored  population  of  the 
United  States;  therefore, 

Eesolved,  That  we  recommend  this  Colonization  Society  to  the 
liberal  and  heart}'  cooperation  of  all  our  members. — ISGo,  p.  T8. 

(4)  The  American  Tract  Society. 

Wliereas,  Eev.  ]Mr.  Wells,  agent  of  the  American  Tract  Society, 
is  engaged  in  the  })raiseworthy  enterprise  of  su})plying  our  soldiers, 
and  the  sick  in  the  hos})itals,  and  the  destitute  in  our  army  gen- 
erally, with  the  Scriptures  of  Divine  Truth,  together  with  other 
religious  books  and  periodicals,  suited  to  their  wants  and  neces- 
sities; therefore. 

Resolved,  That  the  (ieneral  Assembly  take  great  i)leasure  in 
recommending  said  brother  to  the  favorable  notice  of  our  })eople, 
and  ask  that  he  may  receive  their  hearty  cooperation  in  his  work 
and  labor  of  love.     Adopted. — 18G3,  p.  74. 

The  following  resolution  was  adopted: 

Vuliereas,  The  American  Tract  Society  is  one  of  those  great 
agencies,  whose  object  is  the  dissemination  of  evangelical  literature; 
and,  whereas,  this  Society,  by  means  of  missionary  colportage,  has 
long  been  engaged  in  carrying  the  Gospel  from  house  to  house, 
especially  among  the  destitute  and  frontier  regions;  therefore. 

Resolved,  That  we  hereby  commend  the  Society  in  its  great  object 
and  its  general  work,  and  recommend  it  to'  the  confidence  and 
support  of  our  people. — 1878,  p.  37. 

The  following  resolution  was  adoj)tcd: 

Resolved,  That  we  heartily  commend  the  work  of  the  American 
Tract  Society,  and  would  urge  our  pastors  and  c(mgregations  to 
render  the  most  efficient  aid  possible,  by  disseminating  the  valuable 
books  and  evangelical  tracts  of  this  Christian  Society,  thereby 
cooperating  with  all   Protestant  Christendom. — 1892,   p.   13. 


:U2  PART  IV.,  CHURCH  COURTS. 

(5)  The  National  Temperance  Convention. 

Whereas,  A  desire  lias  been  expressed  by  ])roiiuiieut  men  in 
various  Christian  Clua'ches  that  a  National  Temperance  Conven- 
tion shoidd  be  held  diu'ing  the  present  year,  and  a  call  havin.ii," 
been  issued  lor  the  assembling  of  such  a  Convention,  ni  the  city 
of  Cleveland,  Ohio,  July  2d,  18G8,  in  wMch  all  General  Assemblies 
are  re(|uested  to  re})resent  themselves,  each  by  seven  delegates,  of 
which  I  lie  Moderator  and  Clerk  are  to  be  two.  tlie  other  five  being 
appointed;  therefore, 

Reauhc-il  That  8.  T.  Anderson,  D.l)..  A.  W.  .Miller.  D.D..  Uevs. 
Lee  Koy  Woods.  ■).  M.  Gallagher  and  1^.  K.  Squier  be  appointed 
delegates,  who  shall,  in  connection  with  the  ^loderator  and  Clerk, 
represent  tliis  (funeral  Assembly  in  that  Convention.  Adopted. 
— 18G8.  J).  l.K 

(())  The  A.meuh'AX  IJiiu.k  Soi  iety. 

licsolrcih  That  we  recommend  all  our  ministers  and  members 
to  add,  as  far  as  is  eonsistent  with  their  other  duties,  the  agents 
of  the  American  Bible  Society  who  may  labor  in  their  midst,  in 
carrying  forward  the  great  object  of  said  Society,  in  supplying  the 
world  with  the  lamj)  of  eternal  titith.     Ad()i)ted. — IS-Vl.  }).  31. 

Uesolved,  Thai  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Cumberland  Pres- 
byteriaji  Church  views  the  free  circulation  of  the  ]>ible  amongst 
all  clas,ses  of  mankind,  in  their  own  vernacular,  as  lying  at  the 
])asis  of  their  ])roeperity  and  hap})iness  physically,  intellectually, 
and  morally. 

Jicsiilrrd,  That  we  recommend  all  our  ministers  and  mcmbei's  to 
aid.  as  far  a.s  consistent  with  their  other  duties,  the  American 
\V\])\v  Society  in  carrying  forward  the  great  object  of  said  Society 
— in  su])])lying  the  world  with  the  lam|)  of  eternal  truth.  Ado])ted. 
— 18T0,  p.  27. 

Besolved,  That  we  rejoice  in  the  honor  thus  ]nit  ujion  the  i3ible, 
and  trust  that  we  ai'e  witnessing  only  the  dawn  of  a  lirighter  and 
better  day  for  the  Church  and  the  world  in  this  regard. 

2.  That  this  increased  interest  in  the  study  and  circulation  of 
the  Word  of  God.  should  be  fostered  and  iiitfusified  in  every  way 
possible. 


THE  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY.  61% 

3.  That  we  regard  the  Americau  Bible  Society  as  an  liouored 
ageucy,  established  in  the  providence  ol  God  b}"  the  tinited  Chmch 
for  the  promotion  of  tliis  great  work. 

■1.  That  we  rejoice  in  the  continued  prosperity  of  this  great 
national  Society,  and  in  its  constantly  widening  field  of  operations; 
that  we  approve  of  its  recent  plan  of  economizing  as  far  as  prac- 
ticable in  its  agencies,  and  of  enlisting  inore  fully  iiome  and  voltin- 
teer  workers. 

5.  That  we  earnestly  commend  this  cause  anew  to  our  pastors, 
and  to  our  people,  and  recommend  that  collections  be  taken  up 
in  all  of  our  chiu'ches  annually  for  the  Bible  cause.  Adopted. 
— 187  (,  p.  3G. 

Tliis  General  Assembly  recommends  that  the  Presbyteries  adopt 
such  measures  as  will  secure  from  all  the  churches  under  their 
care  an  annual  contribution  of  money  to  the  American  Bible 
Society.— 1881.  p.  ^G. 

(T)  Tnii  AMEitiCAX  Bible  rxiox. 

[Note. — "In  1835  application  was  made  to  the  American  Bible 
Society  for  funds  to  aid  in  printing  the  Bengali  Scriptures,  pre- 
pared by  English  Baptist  missionaries  on  the  princii)le  adopted 
Ity  the  American  Baptist  Board.  It  was  stated  in  tlie  aitplication 
that  the  words  'baptize"  and  'Ijaptism"  had  been  rendered  by  words 
meaning  'immerse'  and  "immersion,"  and  that  the  Bible  Society 
at  Calcutta  had  on  tliis  account  refused  to  aid  in  its  circulation. 
The  application  was  referred  to  a  committee  of  seven,  one  for 
each  leading  denomination.  The  i>ai)tist  meml)er  seems  to  have 
been  alone  in  insisting  that  the  grant  Ije  made,  or  tbat  it  be  not 
refused  on  the  ground  of  the  rendering,  instead  of  the  transference, 
of  the  words  mentioned.  In  Felnniary.  1836,  after  prolonged  dis- 
cussion, the  board  of  managers  of  the  American  Bible  Society 
passed  the  following  resolution  Ity  a  vote  of  thirty  to  fourteen: 
'That  in  appropriating  money  for  translating,  })rinting  or  dis- 
tributing the  Sacred  Scriptures  in  foreign  languages,  the  managers 
feel  at  liberty  to  encourage  only  such  versions  as  conform  in  the 
I)rinci])le  of  their  translation  to  the  common  English  version:  at 
least   s(h  far  that   all    the   religious   denominations   represented   in 


314  PART  11'.,  CfirRCH  COURTS. 

this  Society  can  consistently  nse  and  circnlatc  said  versions  in  their 
several  schools  and  eoimiuinities."  This  action  was  contirmed  in 
the  following-  ^\\\y  hy  the  Sdciety  at  its  annual  meeting. 

''On  ^lay  \;l,  ISoli.  the  day  aftei  tlie  American  i>il)le  Society 
approved  of  the  resolution  of  its  Hoard,  one  hmuired  and  twenty 
leading  T)a])tists  met  in  the  Oliwr  Street  r)aptist  C'lmrch,  of 
Xew  York,  and   forniod  the  Aniei'iean  and   i^'oreign   Bihle  Society. 

"Divided  counsels,  however,  soon  threatened  the  existence  of 
the  Society,  and  the  unity  and  harnii'iiy  ol'  the  denomination. 

"The  advocates  of  "translation"  rrr.sus  'transferring.'  met  in 
New  York,  at  tlie  house  of  William  Colgate  (May  L^i.  1S.')0).  and 
organized  the  Ameriean    IJihh'   I'nion. 

"In  February,  1882,  Dr.  Edward  Bright,  who  had  taken  a^deep 
interest  in  the  lUble  controversies,  and  who  was  dee})ly  concerned 
for  the  unification  of  the  denonunation.  published  a  brief  article 
in  'The  Examiner"  of  which  he  was  the  editor.  e\'})ressing  his 
conviction  that  Baptists  rould  not  expeet  fair  treatment  from  the 
American  Bible  Society,  which  had  "made  itself  the  narrowest 
sort  of  a  pedobaptist  institution,"  and  recommending  that  Baptists 
'betake  themselves,  with  self-res])ecting  dignity  and  fidelity,  to  the 
doing  of  their  own  Bihle  work  through  the  American  Baptist 
Missionaiy  Union  and  the  American  Baptist  Publication  Society." 
This  recommendation  was  carried  out  at  a  great  mass-meeting  of 
the  denomination,  at  Saratoga,  in  ^lay.  1883.  The  two  rival  so- 
cieties, after  an  ineffective  struggle  against  overwhelming  denomi- 
national sentiment,  quietly  went  out  of  existence,  the  ^lissionary 
Uuion  assuming  entire  i'es})onsil)ility  for  foreign  Bible  work,  and 
the  Publication  Society  undertaking  to  circulate  the  Bible  Union 
version  as  well  as  the  Anglo-American  revised  version.  Thus  was 
settled  one  of  the  most  trouljh'some  controversies  m  which  the 
[Baptist]  denomination  was  ever  involved,  and  the  settlement 
proved  complete."  —  Fi'oiii  NewmaiCs  Ilistury  of  Ihc  Baptist 
Churclies,  pp.  If28-Jt33.  In  view  of  the  foregoing  facts,  the  General 
Assembly  adopted  the  following  paper. — J.  V.  S.  ] 


THE  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY.  315 

V^liereas.,  The  q\K'Stion  of  a  new  version  of  the  ScripUires  has 
been  agitated  in  certaan  portidns  of  the  Chmx-li  of  this  country; 
and.  wherea.-^,  many  and  serious  charges  have  Ijeen  prepared  against 
our  common  Enghsh  version;  and  whereas,  it  has  been  extensively 
and  persistently  alleged  that  ministers  and  members  of  nearly 
all  the  Christian  denominations  of  this  country  are  favorable  to 
this  measure,  and  engaged  in  it — this  General  Assembly  takes 
this  occasion  to  express  its  views,  as  })revious  General  xVsseml)lies 
have  done,  on  a  (juestion  of  such  interest.  We  present,  therefore, 
the  following  as  our  deliverance  U})on  this  subject: 

1st.  We  regard  this  nu)vement,  and  especially  the  manner  in 
which  it  is  conducted,  a^  eminently  mischievous,  ijeing  calculated 
to  unsettle  the  minds  of  common  Christians  in  that  version  of 
the  Scriptures  on  which  they  must  rely  for  their  guidance  in  the 
great  matter  of  their  jjcrsonal  salvation,  and.  fau'thermore,  to 
excite  suspicion  and  distrust  in  the  minds  of  men  who  are  sincere 
inquirers  after  truth. 

2d.  We  do  not  regard  our  English  version  perfect,  l)ut  a  great 
deal  more  so  than  any  version  likely  to  arise  frorr  this  movement. 
Especially  are  we  confirmed  in  this  latter  conclusion,  from  the 
S2)eciniens  already  presented  to  the  pul)lic.  Although  we  do  not 
claim  for  oiu^  version  perfection,  we  do  claim  that  it  is  sufficiently 
perfect  for  all  ])ractical  jiurposes. 

3d.  We  regard  the  English  version  of  the  Scrii)tures  as  one  of 
the  great  depositories  of  the  English  language,  as  in  this  res})ect 
inequaled  by  any  book  in  the  world,  and  on  this  acc(nnit.  aside 
from  the  precious  spiritual  truths  which  it  embodies,  as  deserving 
the  consideration  and  resiiect  of  all  speaking  the  English  language. 

•itli.  Tlii.s  General  Assembly,  from  the  considerations  already 
presented,  and  from  many  others  which  might  be  presented,  hereby 
disclaims,  ais  previous  Assemblies  have  done,  all  sympathy  with  this 
revision  movement.  We  believe  it  sectarian;  we  Ijelieve  it  in- 
tensely sectarian,  and  that  nothing  good  will  grow  out  of  it. 

Ek'IIAri)  1)Eard,  Chairmnii. 
— 18G0.  p.  35 

(8)  The  Yorxo  Men's  Christian  Association. 

It  was  ordered  that  the  Moderator  send  the  fraternal  greetings 
of  the  General  Assendjly  to  the  international  Convention  of  the 


316  J'ART  11'.,  CHURCH  COURTS. 

Young  Meirs  Clirislian  A^^iociatioii  iiow  in  session  at  Cleveland^ 
Uliio.— 18«1,  p.  Vl. 


A  message  conveying  the  Christian  salutations  of  the  Inter- 
national Convention  of  the  Young  Men's  Christian  x\ssociation  waj 
received^  and  referred  to  the  Committee  on  Correspondence. 


Milwaukee,  Wis.,  May   19,   1883. 

To  the  Moderator  of   Cumberland  Freshijlevian   General  Assembly, 

JS'aslirille,  Teiin.: 

The  Twenty-fifth  International  Convention  of  the  Young  Men's 

Christian  Association  of  the  United  States  and  British  Pro\inces 

bend  congratulations  and  Christian  greeting.     IJelu'ews  xii.  2'1-2-L 

CiiAitLEs  L.  Colby,  President. 

—1883,  p.   14. 

(!))  The  National  Tempeuaxce  Convention. 

To  the  General  Assentbli/  of  the  Cumberland  Presbijlerian  Church, 
lo  assemble  at  Iluntsrille,  Ala.,  May  IS,  1S82: 
Deak  Uketiihen: — 'J'he  last  General  Asseinhly  appointed  me  as 
one  of  the  delegates  to  the  Xational  Temperance  Convention, 
v\hich  met  at  Saratoga,  X.  Y..  the  21st  of  June,  1881.  1  am 
glad  to  report  that  it  was  my  ])rivilege  to  atleiid  said  Convention 
as  a  representative  of  your  body,  and  to  Ije  present  at  all  its  se-ssions. 
There  were  in  attendance  near  four  hundred  dek^gates,  represent- 
ing different  religious  denominations  and  temperance  organizations,, 
from  twenty-five  States  and  Canada.  The  delil)erations  of  the 
Convention  were  of  an  interesting  character,  ins})iring  all  present. 
A\ith  new  ho})e  and  courage  in  the  temjierance  cause. 

James  ^J.  IIubbert. 

—1882,  p.  20. 

(10)  The  Woman's  National  Christian  Temperance  Union„ 

liesolred.  That  this  General  Assembly  eontem}jlate  with  great 
pleasure  the  efforts  of  the  Woman's  National  Christian  Temper- 
ance Union.  A  time  has  come,  and  i.  work  has  presented  itself 
in  the  success  of  which  woman  is  so  deeply  interested,  that  wc 
can  l)ut  bid  her  God-speed  in  this  glorious  enterprise.  Adopted 
—1882,  p.  31. 


THE  GENERAL  ASSEiMJSLY.  317 

That  3'ou  iirge  on  all  your  Presbyteries  the  importance  of 
increased  activity  in  the  dissemination  of  temperance  literature 
and  of  the  training  of  the  young  in  the  principles  of  Uos})el 
temperance;  and  that  you  commend  the  National  Woman's  Chris- 
tian Temperance  L'uion,  l)y  whose  untiring  and  unselfish  elforts 
scientific  temperance  instruction  has  become  a  part  of  the  course 
of  study  in  the  i)ublic  schools  of  some  thirty-six  States  in  the 
Union.    Adopted. — 181)4,  p.  5:^. 

(11)  The  Amkimcax  Saijbatii  I'xiox. 

"We  have  had  under  consideration  the  report  of  3'our  Permanent 
Comnuttee  aw  Sabbath  Ol)servance.  a.nd  recouniieud  that  live  repre- 
sentatives be  commissioned  to  the  xVmerican  Saljbath  Union,  and 
that  they  shall  be  selected  by  the  ]\loderator  and  Stated  Clerk 
at  pleasure,  and  that  your  Permanent  Committee  be  discharged. 
Adopted. — 188U.  ]).  38. 

(12)  The  Xatioxal  IiKfoum  Assuciatiox. 

Ih'soh-ed,  That  this  Ceneral  .Vssend)ly  has  hstened  v\ith  great 
pleasure  to  tlie  address  of  Pev.  A.  V>.  ^Miller,  D.I).,  the  repre- 
sentative of  the  National  Peform  Association,  and  ]ierel)y  i)ledge 
to  the  Association  the  sym])athy  and  coo])eration  of  the  Church  in 
the  furtherance  of  its  Ijcneficent  aims.     Adojjted. — 1893,  p.  2G. 

(13)  The    L'xited   Chimstiax   Commission'. 

Concerning  a  communication  from  tlie  United  Christian  Com- 
mission, referred  to  us,  your  Committee  recommend, 

(1)  That  you  hereby  express  your  cordial  sympathy  with  the 
work  of  the  Commission  in  its  organized  endeavor  to  improve  tlie 
moral  condition  of  our  soldiers  and  sailors. 

(2)  That  you  herehy  appoint  Revs.  J.  W.  McKay,  Henry  C. 
Bird,  and  U.  W.  ^IcMillan,  as  the  Cooperative  Committee  asked 
for  in  the  communication.     Adopted. — 1894,  p.  49. 

(14)  The  Xatioxal  TEMPEitAXCE  Socie'iy. 

Another  communication  is  from  the  National  Temperance  So- 
ciety,   asking   that   you   a])])oint    seven    delegates,    of    whom    the 


318  PART  IV.,  CHURCH  COURTS. 

Moderator  and  Staled  Clerk  shall  be  two,  to  the  eleventh  ISTational 
Temperance  Convention,  which  meets  August  18,  1897,  at  Sara- 
toga Springs,  N.  Y.  We  reconnnend  that  yon  do  so.  Adopted. 
—1897,  p.  74. 

(15)   The  Ameeican  Anti-Saloon  LEAfiT'K. 

A  paper  fi-oni  the  American  Anti-Saloon  League  asks  that  you 
a])point  ten  delegates  (with  alternates),  to  attend  the  next  Xational 
Anti-Saloon  Convention,  which  is  to  he  held  the  11th,  12th  and 
13th  of  January,  1898,  in  Columhus.  Ohio,  also  that  you  name 
some  one  as  a  member  of  the  Uoard  of  Direction  for  the  new  year. 
We  recommend  that  you  comjily  with  this  request.  Adopted. — 
1S97,  p.  7-1. 

Further,  your  Committee  has  had  referred  to  it  a  communication 
fro]n  the  American  Anti-Saloon  League,  through  its  Secretarv, 
James  L.  Kwin.  of  Washington.  D.  C.  Since  this  league  is  inter- 
denominational and  omni-partisan,  since  its  single  object  is  the 
suppression  of  the  saloon,  and  since  it  recognizes  Cod  as  the 
Su}irenu'  Caiitain  of  every  true  reform,  we  recommend  cooperation, 
and  com})liance  with  the  request  for  one  representative  in  the 
Xational  Board  of  Direction,  and  for  ten  delegates  to  represent  the 
denomination  at  the  next  Xational  Anti-Saloon  Convention,  which 
is  to  be  held  for  three  days,  the  first  i)art  of  December,  1898,  at 
Cleveland,  Ohio.     Adopted.— 1898,  p.  7(5. 

21,  The  Bible  in  our  Schools. 

Ih'siiJvrd.  That  in  the  judgment  of  this  Asstnubly.  the  Bible  is 
eminently  worthy  of  a  place  and  should  be  carefully  studied  in 
every  common  school,  seminary,  college  and  imiversity,  and  that 
it  is  the  duty  of  the  Cliiistian  and  the  patriot  wisely  and  actively 
to  use  their  influence  to  cause  the  Holy  Bible  to  occu})y  the  position 
Avhich  it  deserves,  that  its  most  benign  influence  may  l)e  experi- 
enced in  all  the  social,  ecclesiastical,  civil,  literary,  and  religious 
relations  of  every  coiumunity.     Adopted. — 1845,  p.  289,  MSS. 

Whereas,  The  })apal  hierarchy  and  the  TiOiuanizing  ])ortions  of 
gome  Protestant  denominations  ai'c  tiercdv  assailing,  with  intent  to 


THE  (;/:x/:a'AL  AssE^nu.y.  :5i9 

destroA",  a  leadiii.c".  disliiutive  i)riuc-i])lo  of  the  licfonnatioii  oi'  the 
sixteenth  ceiitiiiy,  a  primary  element  of  Clnistianity, — the  right  of 
})rivate  judgment.  And  the  Letter  to  accomplish  this,  the  foes  of 
an  open  Bible  are  making  their  artful  and  strennons  efforts  to  drive 
it  from  the  common  school,  the  ])eo])le*s  college,  and  to  take  it  from 
the  common  ])eo}ile.     Therefore. 

Eesolred,  That  in  point  of  fact.  Papal  ecclesiastics  and  theii'  allies 
are  the  fierce  and  l)ittcr  enemies  of  civil  and  religious  liberty;  that 
they  are  the  diligent  and  unyielding  supjiorters  of  dcs|)otism.  Its 
Ijlack  and  stagnant  blood  runs  in  their  veins:  and  lliey  are  eni- 
ploving  all  their  skill  to  introduce  its  malignant  and  deadly 
virus  into  the  heart  and  arteries  of  our  liej)ublit-,  and  to  ijring 
it  under  the  control  of  their  blighting  hands,  and  so  I'lduce  it 
to  ruins,  and  l)ind  us  and  our  children  m  the  chains  of  despotism, 
and 

Besulced,  That  as  \\e  value  liberty,  civil  and  religious,  and  our 
hope  for  the  present  and  the  future,  we  unflinchingly  and  con- 
tinually maintain  the  right  of  private  judgment,  and  the  use  of 
the  Bible  in  our  common  schools  and  higher  institutions  of  learn- 
ing.    Adopted. — IS.jo,  p.  24. 

28.  Day  of  Prayer  for  Colleges. 

Resolved,  That  we  appoint  the  day  of  annual  concert  of  ])rayer 
for  colleges,  ofjserved  by  the  various  evangelical  denominations, 
in  the  month  of  February,  as  a  day  to  be  sjjcnt  annually  by  our 
Church  in  earnest,  fervent  i)rayer  in  behalf  of  the  spiritual  welfare 
of  the  youth  congregated  at  her  various  schools  of  learning. 
Adopted. — 1358,  p.  39. 

29.  The  Sacraments. 

CoxFESSiox  OF  Faith.  Sectiox  i)8. — As  under  the  Old  Testa- 
ment dispensation  two  sacraments  were  ordained.  Circumcision  and 
the  l^assover;  so,  under  the  New,  there  are  but  two — that  is  to 
say.  Baptism  and  the  Fold's  Su])per. 

(1)  Baptism. 

Co.NFESSiox  OF  Faith,  SECTIONS  90-103. — Water-baptism  is  a 
sacrament  of  the  New  Testament,  ordained  l)v  Jesus  Christ  a.s  a 


320  PART  IV.,  CHURCH  COURTS. 

sign  or  symbol  of  the  Laptism  of  the  Holy  S]>irit,  and  as  the-  seal 
of  the  Covenant  of  Grace. 

100.  The  ontward  element  to  he  used  in  this  sacrament  is  water, 
wherewith  the  party  is  to  l)e  haptized  into  the  name  of  the  Father, 
and  of  the  Son.  and  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  hy  an  ordained  minister 
of  the  Gospel. 

101.  Baptism  is  rightly  administci'cd  hy  jtouring  or  sprinkling 
water  u}ion  the  person,  yet  the  validity  ot  this  sacrament  does  not 
depend  npon  any  ])articnlar  mode  of  administration. 

102.  The  i)ro])cr  suhjeets  of  water-haptism  are  helieving  adults; 
also  infants,  one  or  ])otli  of  whose  parents  or  guardians  are  he- 
1  levers. 

103.  There  is  no  saving  efficacy  in  water-haptism.  yet  it  is  a 
duty  of  all  believers  to  confess  Christ  in  tliis  solemn  ordinance, 
and  it  is  also  the  duty  of  all  l)elieving  jiarents  to  consecrate  their 
children  to  God  in  bajitism. 

{ii)   lliipllsni  (if  info II Is. 

In  the  judgment  of  this  (ieneral  Assend)ly  it  is  the  duty  of 
|);irents  ]irofessing  godliness  to  liave  the-ir  chikireu  baptized. — 
1815,  p.  2S5,  MSS. 

The  Constitution  (sec.  o)  of  the  Chuix'h  says:  ''The  infant 
children  of  believers  are.  through  the  covenant  and  by  right  of 
l)irth,  entitled  to  baptism."  In  the  Confession  of  Faith  (sec.  102) 
infants  of  believing  parents  are  declared  to  be  "proper  subjects 
of  water-baptism."'  Tlie  Constitution  (sec.  2])  makes  it  the  duty 
of  ruling  eldeis  to  '"urge  ujjon  parents  tlu'  importance  of  present- 
ing their  cbilth'en  for  l)aptism."  It  is  bai'dly  necessary  to  say  in 
this  connection  that  it  is  the  duty  of  the  minister  in  charge  of  a 
church  to  indtictrinate  his  })eople  on  this  sul)ject. 

We  recommend  that  yon  call  the  si)ecial  attention  of  your  Pres- 
byteries to  tbe  dereliction  of  parents  in  this  matter  and  to  the 
importance  of  insti'ucling  their  ministers  to  impress  u])on  the 
people  their  duty.  IJuling  elders,  too,  should  he  made  to  feel  a 
responsibility  for  any  neglect  of  this  important  matter  in  their 
various  churches.     Adopted. — 1S9T,  ])p.    1.1,  4G. 


THE  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY.  321 

(ft)  May  one  laptized  in  infancy  he  baptized  again? 

Your  Committee  have  duly  considered  the  question,  whether  a 
"minister  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church  may  admin- 
ister the  ordinance  of  baptism  to  a  person  who  has  been  baptized 
in  infancy,"  propounded  by  the  Miami  Presbytery. 

Chapter  28,  Section  7,  of  our  Confession  of  Faith,  is  in  these 
words:  "The  sacrament  of  baptism  is  but  once  to  be  administered 
to  any  person;  there  being  no  example  for  the  repetition  of  Chris- 
tian baptism." 

Eegarding  tliis  as  conclusive  on  the  question,  your  Committee 
report  accordingly,  a  negative  answer.    Adopted. — 1880,  p.  23. 

(c)  Presbyteries  and  Sessions  shovld  enforce  the  laiv  in  reference 
to  baptism. 

We  have  had  before  us  a  memorial  from  the  Presbyter^^  of 
Sparta,  which  is  as  follows: 

"Whereas,  There  is  great  inconsistency  in  respect  to  the  ordi- 
nance of  baptism  as  administered  by  the  ministers  of  our  Church, 
and  great  negligence  in  respect  to  infant  baptism,  we  would  beg 
that  you  discountenance  the  unscriptural  mode  of  dipping  persons 
into  the  water,  and  that  you  urge  it  upon  the  parents  in  the 
Church  to  dedicate  their  children  to  God  in  the  act  of  baptism, 
and  bring  them  up  in  the  nurture  and  admonition  of  the  Lord." 

Your  Committee  are  of  opinion  that  your  Confession  of  Faith 
and  Form  of  Government  define  with  sufficient  clearness  the 
Bible  doctrine  upon  these  questions,  and  it  is  in  the  power  of  the 
Sessions  and  Presbyteries  to  enforce  these  regulations.  ^Ye  there- 
fore recommend  that  you  make  no  further  deliverance  on  the 
subject.    Adopted.— 1876,  p.  19. 

(c?)  Roman  Catholic  baptism. 

"Is  baptism  as  administered  by  the  Roman  Catholics  to  be  re- 
garded as  a  valid  Chrisitian  baptism?" 

The  proper  answer  to  this  question  depends,  in  the  first  place, 
on  whether  we  should  regard  the  Eoman  Catholic  Church,  so- 
called,  as  a  true  Church  of  Jesus  Christ.  On  this  question  all 
Protestants  are  agreed,  and  have  declared  the  Romish  hierarchy 
21 


322  PART  IV.,  CHURCH  COURTS. 

anti-Christian  and  idolatrous.  Then,  tiie  priests  of  the  Papal 
power  are  not  ministers  of  Christ,  for  they  are  commissioned  by 
the  Pope  of  Rome,  the  head  of  this  anti-Christian  power,  or  '"man 
of  sin." 

Secondly,  we  say  (Confession  of  Faith,  chap,  xxviii.,  sec.  2), 
'The  outward  element  to  be  used  in  the  sacrament  (of  baptism) 
is  water,  wherewith  the  party  is  to  )>e  baptized  in  the  name  of 
the  Father,  and  of  the  Son,  and  of  the  IJoly  Ghost,  by  a  minister 
of  the  (iospel,  lawfully  called  thereunto."  And  in  the  Directory 
of  Worship,  chap,  vii.,  sec.  5,  w^e  say,  "After  calling  the  child  by 
its  name,  he  (the  minister)  shall  say,  'I  baptize  thee  in  the  name 
of  the  Father,  of  the  Son,  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost.'  As  he  pro- 
nounces these  words,  he  is  tO'  baptize  llie  cliild  mth  water  by 
pouring  or  si)rinkling  it  on  the  face  of  the  child,  without  adding 
any  other  ceremony;  and  the  whok'  sliall  be  concluded  with 
prayer." 

To  the  a])ove  simple  rite,  established  by  Christ,  the  liomisb 
Church  has  added  a  long  list  of  su})erstiti()us  rites  and  ceremonies 
not  ta\ight  Ijy  Christ  or  his  Ajiostles.  Salt  must  be  put  in  the 
mouth;  the  forehead,  eyes,  brea,<t..  shouldei-s  and  ears  ai-e  to  be 
signed  with  the  sign  of  the  cross.  The  nostrils  and  ears  must  be 
touched  with  spittle,  then  water  is  ai)plied  in  the  name  of  the 
Trinity,  after  which  the  subject  is  to  be  anointed  with  oil  between 
the  shoulders  and  breasts.  (See  Catechism  of  Trent,  pages  13i 
and  13.3.)  Can  you  regard  such  j)agan  rites  as  these  as  Christian 
baptism  ? 

Your  committee  are  of  o])inion  that  you  cannot,  and  we  there- 
fore recommend  that  you  answer  the  interrogatory  of  the  memo- 
rialists in  the  uegative.  Notwithstanding  tliis,  each  church  ses- 
sion must  decide  for  itself  what  shall  be  done  in  each  particular 
case  that  may  come  before  them,  as  no  absolute  rule  can  be  laid 
down  which  will  meet  the  peculiarities  of  every  case.  Adopted. — 
1876,  p.  :^3. 

(2)   Lord's  Supper. 

(fl)  Should  be  celehrafed  at  hast  once  a  qiinrter. 

Resolved,  That  this  General  Assembly  recommend  that  each 
church  have  the  sacrament  of  the  Lord's  Supper  administered  at 
least  quarterly.     Adopted. — 18.54,  p.  31. 


THE  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY.  323 

(&)  Pure  "fruit  of  the  vine''  should  be  used. 

The  following  resolution  was  adopted: 

Resolved,  That  we  recommend  to  all  our  churches,  through  the 
Presbyteries,  to  procure  and  use  the  pvu*e  "fruit  of  the  vine"  in  the 
observance  of  the  Lord's  Sup])er. — 1877,  p.  34. 

(c)  Generiil  Asseri)l)]y  (Uivimuuion. 

It  was  determined  that  hereaiter  the  Assembly  shall  obsen^e 
the  sacrament  of  the  Lord's  Supper,  on  Thursday,  the  first  day 
of  the  Assembly's  sittings,  at  8  o'clock  p.m.,  and  that  the  retiring 
Moderator  and  the  pastor  of  the  church  with  wliich  the  Assembly 
meets  shall  conduct,  or  arrange  for,  said  service. — 1897,  p.  29. 

30.  Secret  and  family  worship. 

Directory  for  Worship,  Sections  31-35, — Besides  the  public 
worsliip  in  congregations,  it  is  the  indispensable  duty  of  each  per- 
son alone  in  secret,  and  ever}^  family  by  itself  in  private,  to  pray 
and  to  worship  God. 

32.  Secret  worship  is  most  plainly  enjoined  by  our  Lord.  In 
this  duty  every  one,  apart  by  himself,  is  to  spend  some  time  in 
prayer,  reading  the  Scriptures,  holy  meditation,  and  serious  self- 
examination.  The  many  advantages  arising  from  a  conscientious 
discharge  of  these  duties  are  Ijest  known  to  those  who  are  found 
in  the  faithful  discharge  of  them. 

33.  Family  worship,  which  ought  to  be  perfonned  by  every 
family,  ordinarily  morning  and  evening,  consists  m  prayer,  read- 
ing the  Scriptures,  and  singing  praises. 

3-1:.  The  head  of  the  family,  who  is  to  lead  in  tliis  service,  ought 
to  be  careful  that  all  membei-s  of  his  household  duly  attend,  and 
that  none  withdraw  themselves  unnecessarily  from  any  part  of 
family  worship;  and  that  all  i-efrain  from  their  common  Inisiness 
wliile  the  Scriptures  are  read,  and  gravely  attend  to  the  same,  no 
less  than  when  prayer  or  praise  is  (jfl'ered  up. 

35.  Let  heads  of  families  be  careful  to  instruct  their  children 
and  servants  in  the  prinei])les  of  religion.  Every  proper  opjjor- 
tunity  ought  to  be  embraced  for  such  instruction.  The  Sabl)ath 
evenings,  after  public   worship,   should  be  sacredly   preserved   for 


324  PART  IV.,  CHURCH  COURTS. 

this  purpose.  Making  uunecessary  private  visits  on  the  Lord's 
day,  admitting  strangers  into  the  families,  except  when  necessity 
or  charity  requires  it,  or  any  otlier  practices,  whatever  plausible 
pretenses  may  be  offered  in  their  favor,  if  they  interfere  with  the 
above  important  and  necessary  duty,  should  be  avoided. 

Resolved,  That  this  General  Assemljly  expresses  with  deep  re- 
gret its  sorrow  at  the  fact  that  family  worship  is  not  kept  up  as 
it  should  be,  and  that  we  urge  ujjon  our  membership,  through 
their  ministers,  the  importance  of  the  family  altar.  Adopted. — 
1883,  p.  25. 

31.  Sanctification  of  the  Lord^s  Day. 

DiEECTOEY  FOE  WoKSHiP,  Sectioks  1-G. — It  is  the  duty  of 
every  j)erson  to  remember  the  Lord's  day,  and  to  prepare  for  it 
before  its  ajj^jroach.  All  worldly  business  should  be  so  ordered, 
and  seasonably  laid  aside,  as  that  no  one  may  be  hindered  from 
sanctifying  the  Sabbath,  as  the  Holy  Scriptures  require. 

2.  The  entire  day  is  to  be  kept  holy  to  the  Lord,  and  to  be 
employed  in  the  public  and  private  exercises  of  religion.  There- 
fore, it  is  requisite  that  there  be  a  holy  resting,  all  the  day,  from 
unnecessary  labors,  and  an  abstaining  from  those  recreations  wliich 
may  be  lawful  on  other  days;  and  also,  as  much  as  possible,  from 
worldly  thoughts  and  conversation. 

3.  Let  the  provisions  for  the  support  of  the  family  on  that  day 
be  so  ordered  that  servants  or  others  be  not  improperly  detained 
from  the  public  worsliip  of  God,  nor  hindered  from  sanctifying 
the  Sabbath. 

4.  Let  every  person  and  family,  in  the  morning,  by  secret  and 
private  prayer,  for  themselves  and  others,  especially  for  the  assist- 
ance of  God  to  their  minister,  and  for  a  blessing  upon  his  min- 
istry, by  reading  the  Scriptures,  and  by  holy  meditation,  prepare 
for  communion  with  God  in  his  public  ordinances. 

5.  Let  the  people  be  careful  to  assemble  at  the  appointed  time; 
that,  being  all  present  at  the  beginning,  they  may  unite  with  one 
heart  in  all  the  parts  of  public  worship;  and  let  none  unnecessarily 
depart  until  after  the  benediction. 

'6.  Let  the  time  after  the  solemn  services  of  the  congregation  in 


THE  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY.  326 

public  are  over  be  spent  in  reading,  meditation,  reading  of  sermons, 
catecliising,  religious  conversation,  prayer  for  a  blessing  upon  the 
public  ordinances,  singing  psalms,  hymns,  or  spiritual  songs,  vis- 
iting the  sick,  relieving  the  poor,  and  in  performing  such  Hke 
duties  of  piety,  charity  and  mercy. 

(1)  How  THE  Sabbath  should  be  spent. 

The  following  was  adopted: 

1.  That  it  is  the  duty  of  every  Christian  to  observe  and  defend 
the  Sabbath,  and  to  keep  it  holy,  by  spending  it  in  a  way  that  will 
honor  God  and  nourish  and  strengthen  liis  own  soul. 

3.  That  Christians  should  not  spend  the  day  in  social  visiting 
and  feasting. 

3.  That  it  is  a  sin  and  shame  to  spend  the  day  in  idleness  or  in 
frivolous  pastime. 

4.  That  parents  should  require  their  children  to  attend  church, 
and  not  ttirn  them  loose,  after  Sabbath  school,  to  spend  the  re- 
mainder of  the  da}'  as  they  please. 

5.  That  Christians  should  not  encourage  Sunday  newspapers  by 
buying  them,  reading  them,  advertising  in  them,  or  in  other  way. 

6.  That  Sunday  trains  and  excursions  are  evils  that  no  Chris- 
tian should  encourage. 

7.  That  base-ball,  picnics,  and  all  similar  amusements,  are  gross 
and  sinful  desecrations  of  the  Sabbath  day. — 1891,  p.  36. 

(2)  Church  membees'  duty. 

The  following  was  adopted: 

We  do  hereby  call  the  attention  of  our  entire  membersliip  to 
the  necessity  of  the  careful  observance  of  the  Christian  Sabbath, 
and  so  much  the  more  as  Rationalism,  Infidelity  and  Eomanism 
are  combining  their  energies  to  destroy  the  sanctity  of  God's  holy 
day,  and  substituting  therefor  a  day  of  mere  recreation  and  amuse- 
ment.—1874,  p.  28. 

(3)  Pastors  should  call  the  attention   of  the  people  to 

THIS  subject. 

The  following  resolutions  were  adopted: 

JResoh-ed,  That  it  is  the  sense  of  this  General  Assemblv  that  it 


326  PART  I\\,  CHURCH  COURTS. 

is  the  duty  of  all  the  preachers  and  pastors  of  the  Cumberland 
Presbyterian  Church  to  call  the  attention  of  their  congregations 
frequently  to  the  duty  of  a  scriptural  observance  of  the  Sabbath, 
setting  forth  what  the  requirement  is,  the  blessings  promised  for 
a  2)roper,  and  the  curses  that  shall  follow  an  impruper,  use  hereof. 
2.  That  hereafter,  with  other  standing  committees,  there  shall 
be  appointed  by  the  Moderator  of  the  General  Assembly  a  com- 
mittee to  be  called  the  Committee  on  tlie  Prevention  of  Sabbath 
I)esecration,  whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  consider  and  report  upon 
the  same  as  other  standing  commitiees,  and  that  Synods  and  Pres- 
byteries are  hereljy  requested  to  appoint  a  similar  standing  com- 
mittee at  each  of  their  meetings. — 1879,  p.  28. 

(4)  Ministers  should  set  a  good  example. 

The  General  Assembly  decided  that  "if  any  member  travel  on  the 
Sabbath  day,  in  going  to  or  returning  from  the  Asseml)ly,  he  be 
dealt  with  for  an  immorality." — 18r)2,  p.  31. 

The  following  recommendation  was  adopted: 

That  your  ministers  be  urged  to  set  the  example  to  their  flocks 
and  the  conununity  by  rigidly  observing  this  holy  day;  by  dis- 
couraging the  prevalent  reading  of  secular  papers  on  that  day,  and 
the  insertion  of  church  notices  and  services  in  the  Sabbath  issues 
of  said  papers,  and  by  needless  railroad  travel,  even  to  fill  pulpit 
engagements. — 1884,  p.  31. 

(5)  Sunday  mail  and  Sunday  trains. 

We  have  had  before  us  a  paper  from  the  chairman  of  the  Com- 
mittee on  Sabbath  Observance,  of  the  Southern  Presbyterian 
Church,  asking  your  cooperation  in  calling  the  attention  of  the 
civil  authorities  to  the  "Sabbath  question,"  "especially  to  the  run- 
ning of  the  railroad  traids  and  the  delivery  of  mail  on  the  Lord's 
day."  While  we  dejilore  the  fact  that  trains  are  run  and  mail  is 
delivered  on  the  Saljbath,  yet  we  do  not  see  the  consistency  in  in- 
voking the  civil  power  to  check  the  evil,  while  our  business  men 
make  the  demand  for  handling  and  can-ying  freight,  and  while 
ministers  and  church  members  demand  the  running  of  trains  and 
the  delivery  of  mails  on  the  Sabbath.  We,  therefore,  recommend 
that  this  General  Assemblv  insist  nixm  the  better  observance  of 


THE  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY.  327 

this  day  by  all  the  iiieinbers  ul'  the  Church,  to  the  end  that  a  public 
sentiment  \\va\  be  cultivated  in  its  favor,  and  that  the  cliairman 
of  the  permanent  Committee  on  Sabbath  Observance  be  instructed 
to  correspond  with  the  chairman  of  a  similar  committee  in  the 
Southern  Presbyterian  Church,  pledging  the  hearty  cooperation 
of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church  in  any  judicious  move- 
ment looking  to  the  better  observance  of  the  Sabbath.  Adopted. 
—1882,  p.  t\. 

That  we  deplore  the  fact  that  our  government  compels  Sabbath 
desecration  Ijv  its  mail  service,  and  that  we  think  that  church 
members  should  not  go  to  the  po^toffice  on  the  Sabbath,  or  other- 
wise encourage  Sunday  mails.     Adopted. — 1891,  p.  36. 

(G)   The  General  Assembly  was  opposed  to  opening   gates 
OF  Columbian  P^xposition  on  the  Sabbath. 

That  we  are  decidedly  and  unalterably  opposed  to  the  opening 
of  any  department  of  the  Columbian  Exposition  on  the  Sabbath, 
and  desire  to  put  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church  on  record 
as  opposing  it.     Adopted. — 1891,  p.  3G. 

\Mwreb.8,  It  has  come  to  the  knowledge  of  your  Committee  that 
the  managers  of  the  World's  Columbian  Exposition  have  deter- 
mined to  open  the  gates  of  the  Exposition  on  next  Sabbath  day. 
Therefore  your  Committee  hereby  recommend  that  the  Stated 
Clerk  of  this  Assembly  be  directed  to  send  at  once  a  telegram  to 
said  managers  protesting  against  such  opening  of  the  gates. 
Adopted.— 1893,  p.  12. 

32.  National  disputes  should  be  settled  by  arbitration. 

The  report  of  Committee  on  Overtures  was  adopted,  as  follows: 
Your  Committee  have  carefully  considered  the  memorial  of  the 
World's  Arbitration  League,  organized  about  two  years  ago,  ^\^.th 
headquarters  at  Washington,  D.  C,  its  object  being  to  call  the 
attention  of  the  different  nations  of  the  earth  to  the  propriety 
and  practicability  of  forming  a  compact  by  which  all  international 
disputes  can  be  settled  without  resort  to  arms.  Since  the  object 
of  this  organization  is  in  accordance  with  the  teachings  of  the 


326  PART  IV.,  CHURCH  COURTS. 

great  Head  of  the  Church,  your  Committee  would  recommend 
heai'ty  concurrence  with  this  laudable  and  humane  enterprise. — 
1884,  p.  15. 

33.  Lotteries  condemned. 

Dealing  in  lottery  stock  or  tickets  is  taking  a  risk  for  money, 
and  as  such  is  a  species  of  gaming  that  is  sinful,  and  ought  to 
be  discountenanced  by  every  Church  court  and  Christian. — 1858, 
p.  33. 

The  following  resolution  was  adopted: 

Whereas,  The  Louisiana  Lottery  is  seeking  to  perpetuate  itself 
by  every  possible  means,  and  is  endeavoring  to  secure,  by  the 
offer  of  large  sums  of  money  tO'  different  State  Legislatures,  a 
charter  giving  it  the  right  of  carrying  forward  its  iniquitous 
gambling  schemes;  therefore. 

Resolved,  1.  That  this  General  Assembly  does  give  its  hearty 
commendation  to  all  good  people  who  are  battling  against  this 
great  evil,  and  does  pray  God's  blessings  upon  the  laborers  who 
are  seeking  to  destroy  this  great  source  of  corruption. 

2.  That  this  Assembly  looks  upon  this  lottery  as  a  most  per- 
nicious scheme  of  iniquity,  and  urges  its  ministry  and  laity  to  use 
publicl}''  and  otherwise  their  influence  to  bring  to  an  end  both 
the  lottery  and  the  purchase  of  lottery  tickets. — 1890,  p.  14. 

34.  Worldly  amusements. 

Whereas,  There  is  no  specific  law  in  the  Discipline  of  this  Church, 
forbidding  the  members  thereof  attending  fashionable  balls  and 
parties,  theatres,  circuses,  and  such  places  of  worldly  amusement 
for  carnal  indulgence  of  mere  human  merriment,  gotten  uj)  and 
mainly  sustained  by  those  wlio  are  not  connected  with  the  evan- 
gelical Church; 

Resolved,  therefore,  By  tliis  General  Assembly,  that  in  all  such 
instances  where  members  of  our  Church  are  known  to  attend 
such  places  for  purposes  of  participating  in  them,  they  shall  be 
held  responsible  to  the  church  Session  of  the  congregation  wliere 
such  member  holds  his  or  her  membership,  and  that  church  Ses- 


THE  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY.  329 

sious  are  hereby  instructed  to  adoiit  such  rules  in  their  respective 
congregations  as  may  forbid  such  conduct.  Adopted. — 1852, 
p.  30. 

The  Assembly  of  1852  adopted  preambles  and  resolutions  dis- 
approving the  practice  of  church  members'  attending  places  of 
carnal  amusements,  advising  church  Sessions  to  adopt  the  most 
prudent  and  effective  measures  to  lessen  the  evil.  "Be  not  con- 
formed to  this  world,"'  is  one  of  the  precepts  too  frequently  ignored 
b}'  the  practice  of  the  professed  disciples  of  Christ.  ]\Iinisters 
and  Sessions  might  subser^-e  the  cause  of  practical  godliness,  by 
calling  the  attention  of  their  people  to  the  advice  of  a  previous 
Assembly,  to  which  reference  has  been  made.  Adopted. — 1861, 
p.  15. 

Whereas..  The  cause  of  Christ  demands  that  the  children  of 
God  should  live  soberly,  as  well  as  righteously  and  godly,  in  this 
world — cleansing  themselves  from  all  ungodliness  and  worldly  lusts, 
and  taking  up  their  cross  and  following  their  Master  in  meek 
and  holy  living — thus  b}'^  their  walk  and  conversation  letting  their 
light  .shine,  and  truly  commending  the  religion  of  Christ  to  the 
confidence  and  acceptance  of  all  men;  therefore, 

Resolved,  ^j  this  General  Assembly,  as  exjsressed  by  former 
Assemblies,  that  the  practice  of  promiscuous  dancing,  as  an  amuse- 
ment, by  professed  Christians,  as  well  as  attendance  upon  such 
places  of  amusement,  is  hereby  declared  to  be  inconsistent  with 
the  Christian  profession  and  the  pure  and  sacred  obligations  of 
our  holy  religion;  and  that  Presbyteries  and  church  Sessions  are 
advised  that  members  persisting  in  such  practice  are  proper  sub- 
jects of  Church  discipline.     Adopted. — 1870,  p.  31. 

In  response  to  the  overture  to  this  General  Assembly  from  the 
Presbytery  of  Lebanon,  the  Committee  beg  leave  to  say,  that 
while  former  General  Assemblies  have  expressed  their  condem- 
nation of  dancing,  and  tliis  Assembly  does  think  it  best  for  Chris- 
tians to  take  no  part  in  the  dance,  yet  we  believe  that  we  can, 
as  a  General  Assembly,  do  no  more  than  has  been  done,  except 
to  exhort  ail  our  members  to  refrain  from  the  dance,  and  to 
leave  all  further  questions  about  it  to  church  Sessions,  to  act  in 
each  pariicnlar  case  in  such   manner  as  the   Session  in  its   dis- 


330  PART  IV.,  CHURCH  COURTS. 

cretion  may  deem  proper,  subject,  of  course,  to  the  direction  of  its 
own  Presbytery.     Adopted. — 1872,  p.  15. 

I'lit'  following  was  adopted: 

Your  Committee  have  considered  the  memorial  submitted  to 
them,  asking  for  a  definition  of  the  phrase  "promiscuous  dancing," 
contained  in  a  former  deliverance  of  your  reverend  body,  and  vvliile 
this  is  not  strictly  a  matter  of  legal  cognizance,  we  beg  to  say 
that  in  our  (Opinion  the  ex])ression  referred  to  should  be  under- 
stood to  mean  mixed  dancing,  confused  dancing,  indiscriminate 
dancing,  and  dancing  in  which  both  sexes  engage.  In  short,  any 
dancing  which  cannot  be  conscientiously  commended  by  an  up- 
right, consecrated  member  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church. 
—1894,  \y.  -13. 

A  memorial  from  Texas  Synod  has  been  referred  to  us,  asking 
that  a  specific  law  be  "incorporated  in  the  Eules  of  Discipline," 
forbidding  "dancing,  theatre-going  and  card-playing." 

The  Committee  think  that  the  matters  com})lained  of  need  not 
be  expressed  in  a  specific  law,  inasmuch  as  section  tliird  of  the 
Church  Covenant  of  the  Confession  of  Faith,  properly  interpreted, 
includes  such  things:  and  since  we  believe  them  to  be  evil,  and 
only  e^dl,  we  recommend  that  tliis  General  Assembly  declare  its 
disapproval  of  such  practices,  and  urge  the  ministers  and  church 
Sessions  to  instruct  and  exhort  the  members  to  refrain  from  par- 
ticipating in  these  evils,  which  are  altogether  unprofitable  and 
inconsistent  with  Christian  character;  and,  whenever  necessary, 
that  discipline  be  exercised  according  to  the  Constitution  of  the 
Church.     Adopted.— 1895,  p.  20. 

35.  Deliverances  on  Temperance. 

Eesolved,  vnanimoushj ,  That  this  General  Assembly  do  most 
earnestly  recommend  that  no  minister  of  the  Gospel  or  ruling 
elder,  or  member  of  the  Church  shall  engage  in  retailing  ardent 
spirits  or  disposing  of  them  in  any  other  way. — 183G,  p.  268,  MSS. 

Eesolved,  That  it  is  the  sense  of  this  General  Assembly,  that 
to  make,  buy,  sell,  or  use  as  a  beverage,  any  spirituous  or  intoxicat- 
ing liquors,  is  an   immoralitv;  that  it   is  not  only  unauthorized, 


THE  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY.  331 

but  forbidden  by  the  Word  of  God.  We  do,  therefore,  request  the 
jieveial  churches  under  our  care,  to  abstain  vvliolly  from  their  use. 
Adopted.— 18.!;  1.  p.  13. 

The  General  Assembly  made  the  following  deliverance: 

The  effect  of  the  use  of  ardent  sj^irits  has  been  one  continued 
scene  of  desolation.  Its  course  has  been  marked  with  the  desola- 
tion of  human  happiness,  human  hopes,  and  human  enjoyment — 
has  retarded  the  progress  of  Christianity — has  rendered  abortive 
Christian  influence  and  Christian  effort.  It  has  caused  the  quench- 
ing of  the  Holy  Spirit — has  been  and  still  is  tbe  most  ])owerful 
weapon  in  the  hands  of  tbe  evil  one  for  peopling  his  kingdom 
with  victims. 

What  is  ilie  duty  of  the  Church  relative  to  this  important  ques- 
tion? We  believe  there  is  but  one  answer.  It  is  the  duty  of  the 
Christian  to  use  every  reasonable  effort  within  his  ])0wer  to  advance 
the  glorious  cause  of  Tenii)erance.  If  lie  fails  in  this,  he  fail^  in 
one  material  branch  of  bib  duty,  and  will  be  held  accoiintanle  for 
the  failure. 

We  regard  the  efforts  now  Ijeing  made  in  the  temperance  cause, 
as  requiring  the  ceoperatiou  of  the  Church;  that  the  Great  Head 
of  the  Church  is  employing  it  as  one  of  the  means  of  reforming 
and  of  finally  converting  the  world;  and  the  failure  of  the  chitrch 
members  thus  to  cooperate,  amounts  to  a  sin  against  light  and 
knowledge. 

So  far  as  otir  information  extends,  this  branch  of  Zion  is  dis- 
charging her  duly  in  this  great  work  with  commendable  zeal. 

The  efforts  which  Christians  shoitld  use  for  the  furtherance 
of  this  work,  consist  not  alone  in  abstaining  from  the  use  of 
ardent  spirits  and  being  Washingtonians,  or  Sons  of  Temperance. 
The  true  and  devoted  advocate  of  temperance  will  labor  for  the 
enactment  of  such  laws  as  will  prohibit  the  making,  vending 
or  use  of  intoxicating  liquors. 

In  order  thai  the  Ctimberland  Presbyterian  Church  may  occupy 
the  high  position  which  Christendom  and  the  world  demands  of 
her.  we  recommend  that  this  General  Assembly  adopt  the  fore- 
going as  a  pream])1e,  and  also  the  following  resolutions,  viz.: 

1.  It  is  incompatible  M-ith  the  character  of  a  Christian,  and 
parfictdariy  with  the  Christian  character  of  a  Cumberland  Pres- 


332  PART  IV.,  CHURCH  COURTS. 

byteriaii,  to  n^e  or  in  any  way  encourage  the  use  of  ardent  spirits 
as  a  beverage. 

2.  If  he  fails  to  use  reasonable  efforts  to  bring  about,  ])y  legal 
enactments  or  clheiwise,  an  entire  prohibition  of  the  liquor  traffic, 
he  acts  beneath  his  duty  as  a  professor  of  religion. 

,').  Christians  nee  only  have  duties  to  discharge  to  the  Church 
and  the  Vv^orld  as  Christians,  but  also  to  their  government  and 
society  as  citizens. 

4.  In  discharging  the  latter  duty,  they  should  be  governed  by 
the  broad  jDrinciples  of  Christian  philanthropy,  advocating  the 
extermination  of  alcohol,  except  for  mechanical  or  medical  par- 
poses,  from  the  country,  by  the  enactment  of  prohibitory  laws 
for  that  purpose,  with  such  penalties  as  will  cause  those  laws  to 
be  respected  and  enforced. 

5.  That  this  preamble  and  these  resolutions  be  spread  upon  the 
Minutes  of  the  i-^ssembly,  and  that  they  be  published  in  the 
papers  of  the  Church. — 1853,  pp.  45,  4G. 

We  have  considered  a  memorial  of  the  Mississippi  Presbytery, 
asking  that  the  following  be  inserted  in  the  organic  law  of  the 
Church:  ''Xo  r^ember  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church 
shall  be  allowed  to  drink  ardent  spirits  as  a  beverage,  and  any  one 
guilty  of  this  otfense  shall  subject  himself  to  the  discipline  of  the 
Ciiurch.'' 

Under  the  orgaiiic  law  of  the  Church  the  church  Session  is 
charged  wilh  maintaining  the  spiritual  government  of  the  church, 
and  for  this  pur])ose  it  is  its  duty  to  inquire  into  the  doctrines 
and  conduct  of  the  church  members  under  its  care,  and  to  ad- 
monish, suspend,  or  exconiDiunieate  those  found  delinquent. 

This  memorial  proposes  a  change  in  the  Constitution  by  specify- 
ii\g  one  evil  requiring  church  censure  and  leaving  unnamed  all 
the  other  acts  \\-bich  merit  condemnation. 

We  are  of  opinion  that  this  is  not  necessary;  that  under  our 
present  rules  full  authority  is  vested  in  church  Sessions  to  act 
in  this  matter,  and  therefore  recommend  that  the  prayer  of  the 
memorial  be  not  granted. 

The  action  heretofore  taken  by  the  General  Assembly  and  the 
various  Church  courts  against  the  evils  of  intemperance  and  drau)- 
drinking  is  so  unmistakable  that  no  repetition   thereof  need  be 


THE  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY.  333 

made  by  way  of  anioiidmont  to  our  organic  law.     Ado-pted. — 1891, 

p  ir.  " 

Lcsolved,  That  it  i^-  the  sense  of  tliis  General  Assembly,  that 
it  is  a  sin  to  make,  buy,  sell,  or  give,  or  in  any  way  use  as  a 
beverage,  intoxicating  drinks  of  any  description. 

Resolved,  That  in  cases  where  church  members  i^ersist  in  the 
\dolation  of  the  principles  herein  stated,  the  church  Sessions  be 
urged  to  deal  Avitli  such  offenders,  and  free  the  Church  from  the 
guilt  and  scandal  of  such  unchristian  conduct. 

Jh'solvcd,  That  inasmuch  as  these  evils  of  such  immense  mag- 
nitude can  be  successfully  resisted  only  by  associated  eifort,  our 
ministers  and  meiabers  are  advised  to  encourage  temperance  or- 
ganisations wherever  it  is  practicable. 

Kesolrcd,  That  v.e  heartily  approve  the  temperance  legislation 
which  has  been  had  in  several  of  the  States  recently,  and  we 
earnestly  recommend  our  people  tO'  aid  b}^  all  prudent  means, 
the  enforcement  of  temperance  laws  where  they  exist.  Adopted. 
—1873,  p.  19. 

That  we,  as  a  Church,  stand  squarely  and  unequivocally  in 
favor  of  prohibition,  and  hereby  pledge  ourselves  to  aid  in  every 
laudable  enterprise  that  in  any  way  looks  to  the  overt hi-ow  of  the 
accursed  liquor  traffic,  now  licensed  and  protected  by  the  General 
Government  and  most  of  the  States.     Adopted. — 1889,  p.  35. 

That  you  declare  as  the  solemn  conviction  of  this  General 
Assembly  that  no  nian  nor  party  which  refuses  or  fails  to  assujne 
an  attitude  of  open  and  uncompromising  hostility  toward  the  liquor 
traffic  should  expect  or  receive  the  vote  of  any  Christian  citizen 
cf  this  country.     Approved. — 1894,  p.  52. 

36.  Resolutions  on  the  use  of  tobacco. 

Resolved,  Tliac  this  General  Assembly  hereby  express  its  dis- 
approbation of  the  use  of  tobacco  in  any  form  whatever,  except 
it  may  be  as  a  medicine.    Laid  on  the  table. — 1871,  p.  33. 

The  follov/ing  resolution  was  laid  on  the  table: 

Whereas,  The  use  of  tobacco  is  an  unbecoming  and  hurtful  habit, 


334  PART  //  .,   CHURCH  COURTS. 

involving  a  sjniiil  w aslc  ul'  money  and  lixing  on  those  who  indulge- 
in  it  a  depraved  appetite,  wiueh  often  leads  to  a  career  of  in- 
temperance and  vice;  therefore,  resolved, 

1.  That  it  is  the  duty  of  every  minister  of  the  Cumberland  Pres- 
byterian Church,  hy  precept  tUid  example,  to  cUscourage  and  dis- 
countenance this  prevailing  evil. 

2.  It  is  '.iiC  sense  of  this  General  Assembly  that  no  licentiate  or 
candidate  for  the  ministry  who  indulges  in  this  wasteful  and 
lilthy  habit,  should  be  entitled  to  receive  aid  from  funds  con- 
tributed by  the  churches  for  ministerial  education. 

Whereupon  the  following  protest  was  entered: 

This  General  Assem})ly  having  laid  on  the  table,  without  oppor- 
tunity of  discussion,  a  resolution  disap])roving  and  condemning 
the  uso  of  tobacco  by  ministers,  we.  the  undersigned,  do  hereby 
enter  our  resjjcctful  but  earnest  protest  against  the  jjosition  thus 
taken  by  this  General  Assembly  on  this  (piestion. 

S.    T.    AnDEESON,  J.   M.    IJOWAKD, 

W.  T.  Fekguson,  Ph.  K.  Danley, 

T.  Boyd  Foster,  Daniel  Patton, 

W.  S.  Campbell,  A.  A.  Wilson, 

J.  C.  Gilliam,  Jas.  H.  B.  Hall, 

M.  A.  Maxey,  J.  M.  Hubbert, 

M.  A.  Alexander. 

—1881,  p.  38. 

The  General  Assend)!y  met,  and  resumed  the  consideration 
of  the  resolution  on  the  use  of  tobacco,  wliicli,  after  dis- 
cussion, was  adopted  as  follows  by  an  "Aye"  and  "Nay"  vote, 
112  to  24: 

Besolved,  That,  as  the  use  of  tobacco  has  gTown  to  be  a  national 
evil,  and  is  seriously  hurtful  to  ministerial  influence  and  useful- 
ness, this  (leneral  Assenddy  counsels  the  ministers  of  the  Cumber- 
land Presbyterian  Church  against  the  use  of  tobacco  in  any  form 
whatever;  also,  that  this  counsel  he  earnestly  pressed  upon  the 
attention  of  the  candidates  for  the  ministry  in  all  our  Presbyteries. 
—1886,  p.  30. 

Resolved,  That  the  Board  of  Ec^ucation  are  hereby  insti-ucted  to 
give   no   aid   to   any   candidate   for   the   ministry   in    securing   an 


THE  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY.  335 

education,  who  uses  tobacco,  aud  that  it  is  the  duty  of  the  Board 
of  Education  to  know,  before  aiding  any  student,  that  he  does 
not  use  tobacco.    Adopted. — 1889,  p.  51. 

37.  Presbyterian  Historical  Society. 

The  Committee  on  Overtures  submitted  the  foUowing  i('])ort, 
which  was  adopted: 

The  papers  regarding  the  Presbyterian  Historical  Society,  re- 
ferred to  us,  show  tliat  Society  to  be  a  worthy  institution,  one 
that  is  doing  a  valuable  work  for  Presbyterianism  in  this  country. 
Its  object  is  to  collect  and  preserve  books,  pamphlets,  jjapers,  and 
all  other  material  that  would  ])e  of  interest  on  this  subject. 

We  recommend  that  a  committee  Ije  appointed  to  cooperate  with 
the  Society  in  every  appropriate  method;  also  that  Synods  and 
Presl}yteries  be  recommended  to  ap})oint  similar  committees  to 
procure  material  for  the  Society,  and  in  all  practicable  ways  to 
further  its  interests;  ajul  further,  that  the  Stated  Clerk  be  directed 
to  send  each  year  to  the  Society  five  copies  of  the  Minutes  of  the 
General  Assembly. 

As  the  permanent  committee  above  provided  for  we  suggest 
Eev.  J.  M.  Hubbert,  Lincoln,  111.;  Prof.  R.  V.  Foster,  Lebanon, 
Tenn.;  and  John  Frizzell,  Nashville,  Tenn.  Approved. — 1882, 
p.  38. 

We  have  also  considered  a  communication  from  Rev.  Dr.  Cattell, 
Chaii-man  of  Executive  Committee  of  the  Presbyterian  Historical 
Society,  requesting  the  ap|)ointmeut  of  a  committee  of  ministers 
and  ruling  elders  l)y  this  (jieneral  Asseml)ly  to  cooperate  witb  the 
Society  in  collecting  materials  for  the  liistory  of  our  own  bi'anch 
of  the  Presbyterian  Church.  We  recommend,  therefore,  that  the 
Moderator  appoint  a  c(unniittee  of  three  to  gather  facts  and  furnish 
such  materials  as  may  l)e  necessary  to  comply  \vith  said  request. 
We  recommend  also  that  said  Committee  shall  be  instructed  to 
consider  the  advisability  of  de})ositing  with  this  Society,  for  safe 
keeping  in  its  fire-proof  vaults.  Minutes  ot  General  Assembly, 
Presbyteries,  and  Synods,  and  any  manuscripts  which  it  may  be 
im]iortant  to  preserve.     Adopted. — 1892,  p.  40. 


336  PART  I\\,  CHURCH  COURTS. 

38.  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Historical  Society. 

The  following  report  on  the  Historical  Societ_Y  "was  referred  to 
the  Committee  on  Overtures: 

To  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Cumberland  Presbi/lcriaii  Church, 
to  convene  at  Marshall,  Mo.,  May  19,  1S9S: 

The  General  Assembly  of  last  year  directed  that  the  Commis- 
sion apijointed  by  the  previous  Assembly  to  provide  a  denomina- 
tional exhibit  in  the  Tennessee  Centennial  Exposition,  ''be  con- 
tinued as  an  Executive  Committee  of  a  Permanent  Cumberland 
Presbyterian  Historical  Society,  with  instructions  to  pay  all  the 
indebtedness  now  against  the  undertaking  of  the  exhibit,  and  use 
the  remainder  of  the  funds  on  hand  to  continue  the  work  as  siiid 
Historical  Society,  the  donors  consenting  thereto.''  The  Com- 
mission consisted,  and  its  successor,  the  Executive  Committee, 
consists,  of  nine  members  whose  places  of  residence  are  widely 
separated,  and  it  has  therefore  been  impossible  to  get  a  meeting 
of  even  a  quorum  at  any  place.  The  only  conference  among  the 
members  which  has  been  practicable  has  been  such  as  could  be  had 
by  correspondence. 

The  amount  of  money  contributed  from  all  ])arts  of  the  church 
for  the  purpose  of  the  Centennial  Exliibit  amounted  to  $189.18. 
The  expenses  of  the  enterprise  amounted  to  $68.29,  all  of  which 
is  set  forth  in  detail  in  a  statement  hereunto  annexed,  but  wliich 
need  not  be  printed.  The  net  amount,  after  the  payment  of  these 
expenses,  was  therefore  $120.89.  The  donors  of  all  of  this  money, 
except  $22.25,  have  consented  to  its  use  in  the  manner  designated 
by  the  General  Assembly,  and  the  same,  amounting  to  $98.6-1, 
is  still  in  the  hands  of  the  Treasurer, 

Your  Committee  deem  it  unnecessary  to  remind  you  of  the  fac/ 
that  the  unwritten  history  of  the  Church  is  being  lost  by  the  deatX 
of  the  old  men  and  women  whose  personal  knowledge  extends  back 
into  the  early  years  of  the  Church's  existence.  Much  of  the 
documentary  evidences  of  past  transactions  is  also  being  lost,  and 
but  little  effort  is  being  made  upon  the  part  of  the  Synods,  Pres-. 
byterics  and  congregations  to  collect  and  preserve  their  history. 
The  Committee  also  recognizes  the  importance  of  keeping  alivn 
due  interest  on  the  part  of  our  people  in  the  origin  and  develop- 


77//;  (;i:xj:h'.iL  .issemjily.  ;]:^7 

ment  of  the  (liiKUiiinalioii.  'I'lie  si'li'-respect  of  our  people  as  a 
denomination  depends  to  a  large  extent  upon  their  interest  in  the 
deeds  of  their  furefatJiers.     We  therefore  recommend: 

1.  That  you  so  reorganize  this  Committee  that  it  will  consist 
of  five  memliers  residing  sufficiently  near  to  each  other  to  hold 
occasional  meetings  without  expense  to  the  Society.  That  a 
majority  of  these  five  members  he  constituted  a  ([uorum  for  tlie 
transaction  of  husiness.  That  in  addition  to  these  local  members, 
there  be  appointed  as  corresponding  members  one  ])erson  from 
each  Synod,  these  ]iersons  to  consist  of  the  Chairmen  of  the 
Synodical  Committees  whose  ap])oinimenl  is  hereiuafler  recom- 
mended. 

2.  Thai,  each  Synod  in  the  Church  be  re([uested  to  ai)point  a 
Historical  Committee,  ct)nsisting  of  three  or  more  ])ersons,  whose 
Chairman  shall,  as  aljove  indicated,  be,  ex  officio,  a  corresponding 
member  of  the  Central  Connniltee. 

3.  That  each  rresbytery  in  ihe  Church  1)e  also  rcipiested  lo 
appoint  a  Presljylerial  ]listorical  Committee  consisting  of  three 
or  more  persons,  and  that  the  Cluiirman  of  each  Presbyterial  Com- 
mittee be,  ex  officio,  a  corresponding  member  of  the  Synodical 
C'ommittee. 

-i.  That  you  re(piest  each  Presbytery  to  contribute  one  dollar 
per  year  toward  a  fund  to  be  expended  for  printed  matter  and 
other  necessary  jmrixises  connected  with  the  work.  This  fund,  to- 
gether with  that  now  on  hand,  can  be  expended  in  preparing  and 
circulating  literature  setting  forth  the  objects  of  the  Society,  and 
making  helpful  suggestions  in  carrying  them  out  and  in  printing 
such  historical  documents  as  it  might  be  deemed  important  to 
supply  to  the  Synodical  and  Presbyterial  Committees,  Sessions  of 
churches,  and  others.  It  can  also  be  used  in  the  collection  of 
books,  old  manuscripts,  old  news])apers,  and  other  objects  of  liis- 
torical  interest  connected  with  the  Church  history,  and  providing 
cases  in  which  securely  to  keep  them,  thus  forming  a  sort  of 
historical  museum  which  would  be  both  profitable  and  interesting 
to  our  people.  The  Publishing  House  offers  to  supply,  free  of 
charge,  a  suitable  room  for  such  a  museum. 

5.  We  recommend,  further,  that  yon  request  all  the  Synods 
and  Presbyteries  in  the  Church  to  take  early  steps  towards  the 
22 


338  PART  IV.,  CHURCH  COURTS. 

collection  and  recording  of  the  history  of  their  respective  Judica- 
tories, and  where  practicable  that  they  have  abstracts  of  the  same 
])rinted,  and  request  them,  as  nearly  as  they  may  he  able,  to 
furnish  copy  of  all  such  records  to  the  Central  Historical  Com- 
mittee, to  be  filed  away  in  the  archives  of  the  Church  for  the 
uses  of  future  historians;  and  that  Ihey  in  every  way  practicable 
promote  this  general  work  of  collecting  and  presei-ving  the  history 
of  the  entire  denomination  throughout  all  of  its  bordei-s. — 1898, 
pp.  30-32. 

The  Committee  on  Overtures  having  failed  to  report  on  the 
matter  of  the  Historical  Society,  which  had  been  referred  to  said 
Committee,  the  Assembly  took  it  up,  and  the  report  of  the  Special 
Committee  w;is  ai)])roved,  and  the  recommendations  adopted. 
The  following  ])ersons  were  a})pointed  on  the  Execu- 
tive Committee,  ])rovided  for  in  recommendation  1:  Revs. 
E.  A^^  Uinkley.  .J.  \.  Stephens,  Ira  Landrith,  and  Elders 
Hamilton  Parks  and  J.  M.  (iaut.  The  following  were  also  ap- 
pointed, one  for  each  Synod,  as  provided  for  in  I'ecommendation 
2  of  said  rei)ort:  Alabama,  Rev.  G.  B.  Russell;  Arkansas,  Rev. 
Y.  R.  Earle;  Illinois.  T.  H.  Perrin;  Indiana.,  Rev.  T.  Ashburn; 
Iowa,  Rev.  R.  \.  Ferguson;  Kansas,  Rev.  J.  B.  Green;  Kentucky, 
Rev.  J.  S.  Grider;  ^lississipjii,  Rev.  J.  \V.  Caldwell;  Missouri, 
Eev.  J.  W.  ^Mitchell;  Ohio,  Rev.  J.  C.  Francis;  Oregon,  Rev.  B.  F. 
Totten;  Pacific,  H.  P.  Ingram;  Pennsylvania,  Rev.  J.  G.  Patton; 
Tennessee,  Rev.  \V.  A.  Provine;  Texas,  Rev.  W.  D.  Wear. — 1898, 
p.  96. 

[Note. — This  book  goes  to  press  too  eai'ly  to  include  the  first 
annual  re])ort  (1899)  of  the  Executive  Committee  of  the  Historical 
Society.  Sufhce  it  to  say,  that  a  plan  of  operations  has  been 
adopted,  wliich,  it  is  l)elieved,  will  create  renewed  interest  in  the 
study  of  the  history  of  the  Church. 

The  Executive  (!ommittee  of  the  Historical  Society  li;is  effected 
an  organization  as  follows: 

Chairman,  Rev.  R.  W.  Binkley.  Xaslivillc.  Tenn.;  Vice  Chair- 
man, Ruling  Elder  J.  M.  Gaut,  XasJiville.  'I'eim.;  Corresponding 
Secretary   and    Secielary.   Rev.   J.   Y.   Ste])lu'ns.    Lehanoii,   Tenn.: 


THE  CENERAL  ASSEMBLY.  :«9 

Treasiirei-.     l»iiliii<i-    Pokier     Ilainilioii     Parks,     Naslivilie,     'renn.; 
librarians  \W\ .  ]ra  Landrith,  Xasliville,  Tenn.- — J.  Y.  S.  | 

39.  A  man^s  marrying  the  sister  of  his  deceased  wife. 

The  Committee  on  Overtures  to  whom  was  referred  an  appeal 
of  tlie  Eussellville  I'resbvtery  n]jon  the  sid)ject  of  marrving  the 
sister  of  a  deeoascd  wife,  beg  k^ave.  to  re])ort  tliat  they  cannot 
find  anything  contained  in  the  AVord  of  (lod.  or  tlie  Confession  of 
Faith  of  the  Cvunl)erland  Presbyterian  Church,  tliat  specially  for- 
l)ids  such  a  mai'riage. 

Your  Committee  find  by  reference  to  the  '1\\\\  chapter,  the  4tli 
Section  of  the  Ccmfession  of  Faith,  that  marriages  are  advised  not 
to  take  place  within  certain  degrees  of  affinity  and  consanguinity, 
and  your  Commiltce  are  of  ojiinion  that  the  degrees  to  which  said 
consanguinity  ajid  affinity  are  advisa1)le  or  justifiable  are  best 
settled  by  the  laws  of  the  land.  Your  Committee  are  of  opinion 
that  it  is  a  subject  not  properly  in  the  control  of  the  Church 
judicatures.— IS  i:..  pp.  :>.-)3,  -^54,  MSS. 

40.  On  the  preservation  of  the  Union. 

The  following  ])ix'aml)k^  and  i-esolutiou  were  ahuosl  uiiaiiijnously 
adopted: 

ir//r/rf/,s.  Ju  the  o])inion  of  this  Assembly  the  ])i'esei'vation  of 
the  union  of  the  States  is  essential  to  the  civil  and  religious  liberty 
of  the  people,  and  it  is  regarded  as  proper  and  commendable  in 
the  C'hurch,  and  more  jmrticularly  in  the  Ijranch  which  we  repre- 
sent (it  having  had  its  origin  as  a  (k'nomination  within  the  limits 
of  the  United  States  of  Ameiica,  and  that  soon  after  the  blood 
of  our  revolutionary  fathers  had  ceased  to  How  in  that  unequal 
contest  through  which  they  were  successfully  conducted  by  the 
sli'ong  arm  of  Jehovah),  to  exjiress  its  devotion,  on  all  suitable 
occasions,  to  the  government  of  their  choice;  therefore, 

llesolred,  That  this  General  Assend)ly  look  with  couceiii  and  dis- 
a])])roljation  upon  atteni})ts  from  any  (piarter  to  dissolve  the  Union, 
and  would  regard  the  success  of  any  such  movement  as  exceedingly 
hazardous  to  llie  cause  of  i-eligioiis  as  well  as  civil  liberly.  And 
this  (I'cneral  AsscnihK-  would  sti-ouiiiv  I'econnnend  to  all  ( 'hris^tians 


340  PART  J]-..   CHCRCH  COCRTS. 

to  make  it  a  subject  of  piayer  lc>  Altuiiihty  (iod  to  avert  from 
our  beloved  country  a  eatastrophe  so  direful  and  disastrous. — 
1850,  p.  13. 

The  following-  was  adopted: 

Wlicreas,  The  xVssemblies  of  both  the  Old  and  New  School  Pres- 
byterian Churches  have  set  a2:)art  next  Wednesday  aflernuon  as 
a  season  of  thai)ksgiving  and  ])rayer  to  (Jod  for  our  country,  in 
compliance  with  the  proclama.lion  of  the  President;  therefore, 

nesolved.  That  this  Assembly  join  IIkksc  l)odies  in  observing 
Wednesday  afternoon,  as  a  season  of  thanksgiving  and  })raycr  for 
our  country. — 1864,  ]>p.   IIO.   111. 

Whei'eas,  This  Asst'nihly  is  com])Osed  of  members  representing 
a  largo  proportion  of  ibc  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church  in 
the  United  States  of  America,  in  token  of  our  loyalty  to  the 
Federal  Government  of  tbc  same;  be  it  therefore. 

BesoJvrd,  That  the  Trustees  of  the  CumberlaJid  Presbyterian 
church  house  in  which  we  have  met  [Lebanon,  Ohio]  l>e  requested 
to  hoist  the  national  flag  over  this  house,  and  kee])  the  same  there 
during  the  sittings  of  this  Assembly. — 18G4,  j).  108. 

(1)  Political  secession. 

The  following  report  was  "adopted  with  two  dissenting  votes:" 

Your  Special  Committee  to  whom  was  referred  the  memorial 
fi'om  the  Synod  of  Ohio,  touching  the  morality  of  political  seces- 
sion, and  the  institution  of  American  slavery,  luive  had  the  subject 
assigned  them  under  prayerful,  protracted  and  patient  investiga- 
tion, and  in  answer  to  the  memorial  before  us,  and  also  in  order 
to  present  a  paper  that  will  embody  a  deliverance  from  this  General 
Assembly  touching  thc^e  subjects,  we  submit  tlie  following  ])re- 
a.mble  and  resolutions: 

Whereas,  The  General  Assembly  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian 
Chiu'ch  in  the  United  States  of  America,  cannot  conceal  from  itself 
the  lamentable  truth  that  the  very  existence  of  our  Church  and 
Xation  is  endangered  by  a  gigantic  rebellion  against  the  lightful 
authority  of  the  General  Government  of  the  United  States,  which 
rebellion  has  jilunged  the  nation  into  the  most  dreadful  civil  war; 
.and. 

}Y]in-ros.  Tlic  Cburch  is  the  lioht  of  the  world,  and  cannot  with- 


THE  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY.  341 

hold  her  lestiniony  upon  ^rcat  moral  and  relif^ious  questions,  and 
upon  measures  so  deeply  atrcding-  tlie  ureal  interests  of  Christian 
civilization,  without  heing-  justly  chargeahle  with  the  sin  of  hiding 
her  Ught  under  a  hushel;  therefoi'e. 

Resolved,  That  lo3"alty  and  ohedienee  to  the  geneial  government, 
in  the  exercise  of  its  legitimate  authority,  is  the  imperative  Chris- 
tian dutj'  of  every  citizen:  and  that  treason  and  rebellion  are  not 
mere  political  offences  of  one  section  against  another,  but  lieinous 
sins  against  (iod  and  liis  autlioi'ity. 

Eesolved.  That  the  iutei'ests  of  om-  common  (Christianity,  and  the 
cause  of  Christian  civilization  and  national  I'leedou)  throughout 
the  world.  im})el  us  to  hope  and  pray  (Jod  (in  whom  is  our  trust) 
that  this  unnatural  rebellion  nuiy  be  put  down,  and  the  rightful 
authority  of  the  Genera.l  (Jovernment  established  and  maintained. 

Iicsohrd,  That  we  dee]>ly  sym]iatiiize  wiih  oui-  fellow  country- 
men and  brethren  who,  in  the  midst  of  great  temptation  and 
suffering,  have  stood  firm  in  their  devotion  to  (iod  and  their 
country;  and  with  those  who  have  been  diiven.  contraiT  to  theii- 
judgment  and  wishes,  into  tlie  ranks  of  rebellion. 

Resolved,  That  in  this  time  of  trial  and  darkness,  we  re-endoi'se 
3iho  preamble  and  resolution  adopted  by  the  (ieneral  Assembly 
of  18.")0,  which  are  as  follows: 

[XoTE. — See  Part  IV..  Section  40.  aliove,  "On  ibc  preservation 
o-f  the  Union."] 

On  the  subject  of  American  slavery,  your  Committee  >ubinii  tbat 
we  sliould  not  view  it  as  if  it  were  aljout  to  be  inti'odueed.  but  as 
already  in  existence.  We  do  not  hesitate  to  declare  that  the  in- 
troduction of  slavery  was  an  enormous  crime,  surjjassed  by  few 
crimes  that  have  disgraced  the  history  of  the  world;  and  that 
there  are  at  present  great  evils  connected  willi  it,  and  that  we 
believe  will  more  or  less  be  connected  with  it  while  it  exists.  As 
to  the  remedy  for  these,  the  greatest  and  best  minds  of  our  countiT 
and  the  world  have  greatly  differed  and  been  much  perplexed. 
Therefore  we  would  recommend  to  those  who,  in  the  providence 
of  God,  have  been  placed  in  connection  with  this  institution,  to 
continue  prayerfully  to  study  the  Word  of  God,  to  determine  their 
duty  in  regard  to  their  slaves  and  slavery:  and  to  those  who  are 
not    thus    situated,    that    tbev    exercise    forbearance    toward    iheir 


342  PART  II'.,  Cn UR CH  CO UR I S. 

bretlireu  who  aj'c  c-uiiiiLx-ti'il  with  .slaver}-,  as  tlie  agitation  of  this 
subject  at  the  pieiteiu  tijuc  in  that  part  of  the  L'liurcli  wliere 
slavery  docs  not  exist,  cannot  result  in  any  good  either  to  master 
or  slave. 

.Touching  tlie  subject  oi  .Vnierican  slavery,  as  set  forth  in  the 
memorial  before  us,  your  Couunittee  are  not  pri'iiaietl  to  make  the 
simple  iiolding  of  shnes  a  test  of  memhershi]),  as  they  understand 
the  memorialists  before  tlieiii  to  propose. 

liescAved,  That  we  disavow  any  connection  with,  or  sympathy 
for,  the  exti'eiue  measuies  oC  idtra-abolitionists,  whose  etforts,  as 
Ave  believe,  lune  been  and  aie  now  aimed  at  the  destruction  of  our 
civil  government,  in  oich'r  to  abolish  slavery. 

.  The  Committee  would  say,  in  conclusion,  that  the  report  herein 
submitted,  is  agreed  ui)on  as  a  compromise  measure,  to  uuite  the 
whole  enei'gies  of  the  (,'hurch,  and  harnionize  all  our  interests  in 
the  future,  and  to  bind  the  entire  niend)ei'shi]')  of  your  Church, 
if  possible,  in  t-loser  bonds  of  Christian  unity  and  fellowship. — ■ 
18(i;3.  ]ip.  8S-!»0. 

(3)  Those  ix  uebelliox  gujlty  oi-  a  oitEAT  sin. 

The  following  report  was  concurred  in: 

The  liusiness  intended  to  be  brought  befoi'e  your  Ifeverend  Body 
in  the  communication  from  IJichland  Presbytery,  is  contained  in 
the  following  resolntions: 

""Resolved,  That  as  a  I'resljytcry,  we  do  not  desire  the  dissolu- 
tion of  our  Church,  whether  our  govemmeut  be  i)ernianently 
divided  or  not. 

"'ResoleeJ.  That  as  a  Presbytery,  we  desire  to  cultivate  the  same 
feelings  whicli  have  ever  existed  l)etween  our  Presbytei'y  and  the 
brethren  of  the  whole  Church. 

'"Rrsolrrd.  That  we  do  not  think  })olitical  dilferences  a  sulRcient 
ground  foi'  the  dissolution  of  any  Church. 

"Besohrd.  That  this  Presbytery  instruct  her  delegates  to  the 
General  Assembly  to  study  the  interests  of  the  whole  Church, 
leaving  out  of  view  any  sectional  feeling  or  interest." 

Tn  res])onse  to  which  youi'  Committee  would  say,  that  we  regard 
the  ])rescrvation  of  the  integrity  of  the  Church  as  of  great  inv- 
])ortance.  and  we  bojie  tlmt  idl  will  be  done  that  can  be  done  to 
]u-esei-\e   its   unity,   witliout    conniving   at    sin    and   sacrificing   the 


THE  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY.  343 

principles  of  tiiitli  and  justice;  but  to  these  we  must  adhere.  The 
^reat  Master  said,  ""i  come  not  to  send  peace,  but  a  suord;  for  L 
am  come  to  set  a  man  at  variance  against  his  father,  tmd  the 
daughter  against  tlie  mother,  and  the  daughter-in-law  against  her 
mother-in-law;  and  a  man's  foes  shall  Ije  they  of  his  own  house- 
hold." Xot  that  such  was  the  design  of  his  coming,  but  that 
such  would  be  the  effect,  in  tlie  conflict  wliich  must  j5,o  on  between 
tnith  and  falsehood — holiness  and  sin.  In  this  conilict  we  must 
stand  for  onr  Ma.'^ter,  though  it  requires  us  to  sever  the  dearest 
ties  of  time,  and  as  this  (Jeneral  As3embl_y  has  twice  declared, 
that  o])edience  to  the  civil  luagisti'ate  is  a  Christian  duty,  there- 
fore we  must  regard  those  who  ai-e,  or  have  been,  voluntarily,  in 
rebellion  against  the  Government  of  the  United  States,  as  not 
only  guilty  of  a  crime  against  the  Government,  ijut.  also  guilty 
of  great  sin  against  God,  and  with  such,  without  repentance  and 
humiliation  before  God  and  the  Church,  we  cannot  desire  fellow- 
ship. But  to  all  such  as  have  stood  true  to  God  and  the  Govern- 
ment of  the  United  States,  and  proved  their  loyalty  l>y  their  works, 
w^e  extend  the  cordial  hand  of  a  brothers  gi'eeting  and  a  brother's 
welcome,  saying,  "Let  us  h've  in  peace,  love  as  brethren,  and  toil 
together  under  the  banner  of  our  common  Master,  until  we  shall 
be  called  from  labor  to  the  refreshing  rewards  on  high.'" — 18()4:, 
pp.  142,  143. 

(3)    Det.tyeraxce    ox    the   war    EESOLT'TIOXS. 

The  following  rcsohitious.  otl'crcd  by  Dr.  ^liltou  l)ird,  were 
adopted: 

TT7;fn'fl*\  According  to  the  ])lain  teaching  of  our  Confession  of 
Faith,  Synods  and  Councils  are  to  handle  and  conclude  nothing 
except  that  which  is  ecclesiastical,  and  are  not  to  interfci'c  with 
the  affairs  of  the  Commonwealth,  etc.:  and. 

llV/frrf/.s'.  Our  Civil  Constitution  wisely  sejiarates  Cliurch  and 
State;  aud, 

\\l\trea&.  It  is  of  momentous  interest  to  the  Church  to  recognize, 
]u-actically  as  well  as  in  theory,  the  great  truth  taught  by  the 
Savior,  viz.:  that  his  kingdom  is  not  of  this  woild;  therefore. 

Bcsolred,  1.  That  this  General  Assembly  is  opposed  to  every 
movement,  coming  from  any  quarter,  that  looks  to  a  union  of 
Church  and  State. 


344  I  'AR  y  ■  /  /  . ,  CH  URCII  CO  LA'  I S. 

Eesulved,  2.  That  \\f  are  oppused  to  the  prostitution  of  the  pul- 
]jit,  the  rehgious  prus«,  ur  uur  ecclesiaislical  cuuilis,  to  the  aceoiii- 
plishnieut  oi'  political  aud  sectional  purposes. 

Besolred,  o.  That  any  expression  of  political  sentiment,  made 
by  any  judicalt)]y  ol  our  Church,  Xorlii,  Soiiih,  East  or  West, 
is  unnecessary,  and  no  part  of  the  legitimate  l)usiuess  of  an  eccle- 
siastical court.' 

llcaulvoiL  1.  That  nothing  in  the  foregoing  shall  he  construed 
as  an  expression  of  opinion  upon  slavery  or  rebellion. — 18GG,  \)\i. 
48,  49. 

(4)   The   fokeouing   resolutions  neither   repealed  nor   ap- 

I'ROVED   THOSE   I'ASSED   BY    EORMER    Ai^SEMliLlES. 

^^'hereai>,  There  exist  some  doulits  ahout.  the  ijearing  of  the 
last  General  Assembly's  utterances  on  those  of  former  Assemblies, 
on  the  subjects  of  slaveiy  and  rebellion;  tJierefore, 

Resolved..  That  while  the  decisions  of  the  tieneral  Assembly  are 
of  high  authoi'ity.  lliey  c-aniiol  heeome  a  law,  binding  on  all  the 
churches,  so  as  to  set  u})  a  test  of  church  meud)ership,  unless 
I  hey  are  referred  to  the  Presbyteries  and  there  ap})roved;  hence 
such  decisions  are  not  a  sulgecl  of  I'epeal,  and  the  decisions  of  the 
last  (ieneral  Assembly  did  not  repeal  llie  decisions  of  former 
Assendjlies  on  the  subjects  above  named,  noi-  did  they  acknowl- 
edge their  authority.  l)ut  simi)ly  disclaimed  all  jurisdiction  over 
such  (pieslions.     Adopted. —  IbKii,  ]>.  t'). 

(.-))  The   last  action  ox  the  war  grEsrioN. 

The  following  was  unanimously  adopted : 

Your  Committee  on  Overtures  have  had  undei-  serious  and 
prayerful  consideration  a  memoiial  ^igned  l»y  a  numher  of  breth- 
ren of  the  ministry  and  cldershi]),  asking  your  Reverend  Body 
to  declare  and  affirm  the  following  positions  as  the  prin- 
ciples taught  in  our  Confession  of  f^iith,  and  in  the  Word 
of    God: 

"1.  That  things  secular  and  civil  belong  to  the  State. 

''2.  That  things  moral  and  ecclesiastical  belong  to  the  Church. 

"o.  That  in  ivgard  to  things  which  are  mixed,  being  partly 
stMT'ular  and  civil,  and  jiartly  moi'al  and  ecclesiastical,  the  secular 


THE  GEXERAL  ASSEMJILY.  345 

and  civil  aspects  belony  to  tlu-  Stale.  l)Ui  tlic  mural  aud  ecelesia^- 
licaJ  asjjects  bt'loiig  tu  the  L'liiuch. 

'•4.  That  it  is  the  prerogative  of  the  Church  of  Christ  to  sauc- 
lion  correct  morals,  to  express  its  views  through  the  pulpit,  the 
press  and  the  various  judicatures,  on  all  moral  (piostions,  regard- 
less of  civil  codes  or  political  creeds." 

While  your  Connnittee  appreciate  lully  the  sincerity  and  earnest 
desire  of  your  uiemorialists,  we  cannot  recommeud  the  adoption 
of  the  precise  language  of  said  memorial,  as  being  in  harmony 
with  our  Confession  of  Faith  and  the  Word  of  Cod.  At  least  it 
is  so  liable  to  misconstruction,  that  it  woidd  Ijc  unsafe  as  the 
form  of  a  rule  of  })ractice. 

We  respectfully  lecommend  tiie  adoption  of  the  following  an- 
swer to  said  memorial: 

1st.  The  Confession  of  Faith  is  a  much  clearer  statement  of 
civil  jurisdiction  tluni  the  first  proposition  of  the  memorial.  (See 
chap,  xxiii..  sec.  3.)  "Civil  magistrates  must  not  assume  to  them- 
selves the  administration  of  the  Word  and  Sacraments,  or  the 
powers  of  the  keys  of  the  kingdom  of  Heaven;  or  in  the  least 
interfere  in  the  matters  of  faith.  Yet  as  nursing  fathers  it  is  the 
duty  of  civil  magistrates  to  protect  the  Church  of  our  common 
Lord,  without  giving  the  preference  to  any  denomination  of  Chris- 
tians above  the  rest,  in  such  manner  that  all  ecclesiastical  persons 
whatever  shall  enjoy  the  f\ill.  free  and  unquestioned  liberty  of 
discharging  every  paJt.  of  their  sacred  functions  without  violence 
or  dcUiger.  And,  as  Jesus  Christ  hath  appointed  a  regular  govern- 
ment and  discipline  in  his  Church,  no  la.w  of  any  commonwealth 
should  interfere  with,  let,  or  hinder  the  due  exercise  thereof  among 
the  voluntary  members  of  any  denomination  of  Christians,  accord- 
ing to  their  own  })rofession  and  belief.  It  is  the  duty  of  civil 
magistrates  to  jjrotect  the  person  and  good  name  of  all  their  peo[)le 
in  such  an  effectual  manner  that  no  person  be  suffered,  either  upon 
pretense  of  religion  or  of  infidelity,  to  offer  any  indignity,  violence, 
abuse,  or  injury  to  any  pereon  whatsoever,  and  to  take  order  that 
aJl  religious  and  ecclesiastical  assemblies  be  held  without  molesta- 
tion or  disturbance."  (See  also  accompanying  Scripture,  2  Chron. 
xxvi.  18,  etc.) 

2d.  Your  Committee  are  of  opinion  that  the  second  proposition 
of  the  memorial  is  not  respectful  to  the  State,  as  a  ]X)wer  ordained 


346  PART  I\'.,   CUI'h'CH  CO UR 'I S. 

of  God.  Foi'  while  the  pulpit,  press,  and  ecclesiastical  courts 
have  jurit-dieliuu  u\ei'  all  uiural  and  ecclesiastical  questions,  there 
are  many  moral  questions  over  which  the  State  has  jurisdiction  also. 

3d.  Man\  ijuesitions  have  arisen,  and  douhtless  will  arise,  which 
must  be  divided,  the  Church  considering  and  acting  on  such  parts 
of  said  cpiestions  as  come  within  her  jurisdiction.  And  while  she 
is  to  be  free  and  untrammeled  in  her  teachings  and  adjudication, 
she  must  be  wise  ;nid  prudent,  ami  will  liiid  ample  instructions 
ill  her  just  and  scrijituial  .-tandaids^.  (See  Confession  of  Faith, 
chap,  \x.\i.,  sec.  t,  4.) 

'"it  ])elougeth  to  Synods  ami  councils,  ministerially  to  determine 
controversies  of  faith  and  cases  of  conscience;  to  set  down  rules 
and  directions  for  the  better  ordering  of  the  worshi])  of  God, 
and  government  of  his  t'liuixh;  to  receive  complaints  in  cases  of 
mal-administratiou,  and  authoritatively  to  determine  the  same; 
which  decrees  and  determinations,  if  consonant  with  the  Word 
of  God,  are  to  be  received  with  reverence  <ind  submission,  not 
only  for  their  agreement  with  the  Word,  but  also  for  the  power 
whereby  they  are  made,  as  being  one  ordinance  of  God  appointed 
theieuiito  in  this  \\\)i'd."' 

'"Synods  and  Councils  are  to  handle  or  conclude  nothing  but 
that  which  is  ecclesiastical:  and  are  not  to  intermeddle  with  civil 
alfairs,  which  eonceru  the  Commonwealth,  unless  by  way  of  humble 
petition,  in  cases  extraordinary,  or  by  way  of  advice  for  satisfaction 
of  conscience,  if  they  be  hereunto  required  by  the  civil  magistrate.'' 
(See  also  Luke  xii.  13,  1-1;    John  xviii.  36.) 

Also  Form  of  Government,  chaj).  vii.,  sec.  2.  "These  Assemblies 
ougiit  not  to  possess  any  eivil  jurisdiction,  nor  to  inflict  any  civil 
penalties.  Their  ])ower  is  wholly  moral  and  spiritual,  and  that  only 
ministerial  and  declarative.  They  possess  the  right  of  requiring 
obedience  to  the  laws  of  Christ,  and  of  excluding  the  disobedient 
and  disorderly  from   the  privilege  of  the  Church." 

4th.  Your  Committee  agree  fully  witli  your  memorialists  in 
the  expressions  of  the  fourth  jtroposition,  except  the  jjhrase  "civil 
codes  or."  Your  Committee  are  of  opinion  that  while  it  is  the 
prerogative  and  duty  of  the  ('hurch  to  reprove  and  rebuke  all 
sin.  and  approve  and  establish  all  righteousness  and  true  holiness, 
she  should  not  put  herself  in  an  attitude  of  defiance  or  disregard 
fnr  the  civil  laws  of  the  land.— 18(58.  pp.  20.  27. 


Till-:  uj:\i:k'AL  assemuly.  347 

(6)    ASSA.SSINAI'IOX    Oi'    i'UKSlDEXT    l^IXCOLX. 

A  comiiiittee  was  aiipoinled  to  prepare  a  paper  expi'essing  the 
senliment  uf  the  General  A.<seiul)ly  on  the  assassination  of  I'resi- 
•dent  Lincohi.  The  report  of  the  Committee  was  unanimously 
adopted,  and  is  as  follows: 

Wlurm^.  Since  the  la^^t  meeting  of  the  General  As>eml)ly  of  the 
Cnmherland  Preshyteiian  L'hnreh.  the  Chief  ]\lagistrate  of  the 
I'nited  States  has  l)een  ruthlessly  and  ljai'l)arously  murdered;  and, 

\\lievca»,  It  is  deemed  hecoming  and  jnoper  that  this  (ieneral 
Assendjlv  in  common,  })robably.  with  all  other  bodies  of  similar 
character,  a.ssendjling  this  season,  should  give  expression  of  senti- 
ment touching  a  matter  of  such  transeeiulent  impnrianre  t<»  the 
welfare  of  this  nation;  therefoi-e. 

Fesoh-eJ,  That  in  the  death  of  President  Lincoln  the  people  of 
tlie  United  States  have  lost  a  wise,  judicious,  pliilanlhropic,  and 
noble  Chief  Executive;  the  friends  of  luu)ian  freedom,  an  ardent 
.and  sincere  co-laborer;  the  advocates  of  human  pnigress  an(^  ])opu- 
lar  government,  a  true  friend  and  faithful  patron. 

Besulfcil.  That  the  crime  of  his  assassination  is  ti'uly  damning: 
First,  because  he  was  guilty  of  no  crime  that  could  in  any  sense 
justify  such  an  act;  second,  because  his  death  could  work  no  pos- 
sible good  to  any;  ihir(h  because  it  is  a  blow  aimed  at  the  stability 
of  all  human  government. 

nesulved.  That  we  rejoice  in  the  faith  that  I  he  Almighty  Kuler 
of  the  universe  can  ovei'rule  the  wicked  deeds  of  men  and  devils, 
and  cause. their  wrath  to  jiraise  him.  and  the  renuunder  of  wrath 
he  will  restrain. 

Resolved,  That  we  tender  our  heartfelt  sympathies  and  kind  con- 
dolence to  the  bereaved  citizens  of  the  United  States;  the  alilieted 
and  mourning  family  of  the  deceased,  and  the  sorrowing  friends 
of   humanity   and    moral    ]n-ogress    throughout    the    world. — 1865, 

])p.  k;9,  no. 

41.  African  slavery. 

The  following  report  was  concurred  in : 

Your  Comniittei'  believe  that  this  Genei'al  Assembly  would  dis- 
approve any  attem))t  made  by  the  judicatories  of  our  Church   to 


•548  PART  1\'.,  CHURCH  COURTS. 

a<;ilate  the  exciting  subject  of  slaveiy,  and  regret  to  learn,  from 
the  minutes  oi'  this  [Pennsylvania J  iSynod,  that  a  resolution,  passwl 
at  the  ju'ececling  session,  declaring  the  relation  existing  between 
Synod  and  Amei'ican  slavery  to  be  such  as  rccjuired  her  to  take 
no  action  thei'eon.  was  rescinded,  upon  petition  of  Athens  Pres- 
bytery, notwithstajuhng  said  resolution  had  1)ecii  before  the  As- 
sembly and  appi'oved.  We  also  llnd  upon  the  minutes  the  following 
resolution  on  ibe  same  su])ject: 

"'Besolccd,  That  the  system  of  slavery  in  the  I'nited  States  is- 
contrary  to  the  pi-inciples  of  the  (iospel.  hiiuk'rs  the  pi'ogress  there- 
of, and  ought  to  be  abolished." 

The  tendency  of  such  resolutions,  if  persisted  in.  we  believe  is 
to  gender  strife,  produce  distraction  in  tJie  Church,  and  thereby 
hinder  the  progress  of  the  (xospel. — 1848.  ji]).  l"<i.   l;j. 

The  Church  of  tiod  is  a  s])jritual  body,  whose  jurisdiction  ex- 
tends only  to  nuitters  of  faith  and  morals.  She  has  no  power  to 
legislate  \T})on  subjects  on  which  Chiist  and  his  apostles  did  not 
legislate;  noi-  establish  terms  of  communion,  whert'  they  have  given 
no  express  warrant,  ^'our  Committee,  therefore,  believe  that  the 
question  on  which  you  are  asked.  Ijy  the  nu'UUMialists.  to  take 
action,  is  one  which  belongs  rather  to  ci\il  than  ecclesiastical 
legislation;  and  we  are  fully  persuaded  that  legislation  on  that 
subject,  in  any  (if  the  judicatories  of  the  Church,  instead  ot: 
mitiiiatina-  the  e\ils  connected  with  slaverv.  will  only  have  a  ten- 
dency  to  alienate  feeling  between  brelh.ren:  to  engender  strifes  and 
animosities  in  your  churches;  and  tend,  ultimately,  to  a  separation 
between  brethren  who  hold  a  common  faith;  an  event  leading  to 
the  most  disastrous  results,  and  one  which,  we  believe,  ought  to 
be  deprecated  by  evei'y  true  patriot  and  Christian. 

But  your  Committee  believe  that  members  of  the  Church  hold- 
ing slaves,  should  regard  them  as  rational  and  atcoiintable  beings, 
and  treat  them  as  such;  al^'ording  theui.  as  far  as  possible,  the 
means  of  grace. 

Finally,  vour  Committee  would  recommend  the  adoption  oi  the 
following  resolutions: 

Resolved,  That,  inasmuch  as  the  Cund)erhind  l*resbyterian 
Chui'ch  was  originally  organized,  and  iias  ever  since  existed  and 
jirospered.  under  the  conceded   princi]de  tiiat   sl.ivrv  was  not  and 


THE  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY.  34» 

should   not   bo   legaixleil   as   a    bar   lu   coiiiinuiiiuii,    we,    tlieivlore, 
belit'\e  that  it  should  not  now  be  so  I'fgardt'd. 

Fiesolved,  That,  having  entire  conlidenee  in  the  honesty  and  sin- 
cerity of  the  uieniorialisls.  and  eherishing  the  tenderest  regard 
I'or  their  feelings  and  opinions,  it  is  the  conviction  of  this  General 
Assembly,  that  the  agitation  of  this  question,  which  has  already 
torn  in  sunder  other  branches  of  the  Church  can  be  productive  of 
no  real  l)eneiit  to  master  or  slave;  we  woidd,  therefore,  in  the 
fear  of  Ciod,  and  witb  the  uu>st  eaiiiest  solicitude  for  the  peace 
and  welfare  of  all  the  churches  undei'  our  eare.  advise  a  spirit 
of  mutual  fo]'bea]'ance  and  biotherly  love:  and  that,  instead  of 
censure  and  proscription,  we  endeavor  to  cuhivate  a  fraternal  feel- 
ing one  towards  another. — 1831,  ]).  ."iG. 

[Note. — See  Part  IV.,  "Political  secessioji,"  p.   ;]  10.  | 

The  Special  Committee  appointed  to  considei-  the  memorial  from 
the  Presbytery  of  Indiana.  .  .  .  would  res])ecifully  I'cport  that  the 
question  brought  under  ccuisideration  in  the  memorial  ...  is  of 
dee})  interest  to  the  Church  at  the  i)reseut  time.  This  is  a  season 
of  extraordinary  events  and  unusual  I'csponsibilities.  Cod,  the 
maker  of  the  world,  the  (iovernor  of  kingdoms  and  states,  who 
wall  be  known  by  the  judgments  be  t'.xecutes,  seems  now  to  be 
dealing  with  the  nations  in  bis  displeasure,  and  in  majesty  and 
indignation.  He  is  marching  thi'ough  the  laiuls.  and  the  foun- 
dations of  society  ai'e  l)i'eaking  u]).  Then,  it  is  a  time  when  we 
slioidd  look  for  the  wrong  that  we  may  foisake  it.  and  inquii'c 
diligentlv  for  the  truth  that  we  nuiy  embrace  it  as  a  precious  thing 
that  cannot  be  disregaixled  without  oifending  the  Most  High. 

Tlie  qiiestion  intended  to  be  l)rought  to  llie  consideration  of 
your  Eeverend  Body  by  the  Presbytery  of  Indiana,  is  contained 
in  the  fourth  resohition  of  its  memorial,  which  is  as  follows: 

L'esolrc'ih  That  in  this  great  crisis  of  our  Church  and  Nation, 
we  memorialize  the  next  General  Assembly  of  the  Cumberland 
Presbyterian  Cliurch  to  set  forth  still  more  fully  and  clearly  than 
it  did  last  Spring,  the  social  and  moral  evils  inherent  in  the  system 
of  slavery,  as  it  exists  in  the  Soutliern  States;  and  that  it  urge 
upon  our  Southern  brethren,  in  all  faithfulness,  that  the  time 
has  fully  come,  in  the  providence  of  God,  when  they  can,  and 
therefore  should,  without  delav.  abandon  a  svstem  whicli  is  a  re- 


350  PAR  Til'.,  cm  R  CM  L  O  UR  7  W. 

proach  to  our  holy  religion^  and  winch  ha.s  ^u  imperiled  our  be- 
loved Chiirch,  our  free  govennneiiL  and  our  ^»'alional  L'jiion."" 
On  the  memorial  we  propose  the  following  deliverance: 
liesolved,  That  we  regard  the  holding  of  human  beings  iu  in- 
voluntary slavery,  as  practiced  in  some  of  llie  States  of  the  Ameri- 
can Union,  as  contrary  to  the  precepts  of  vuv  liuly  religion,  and 
as  being  the  fruitful  source  of  many  evils  and  \ices  in  the  social 
system;  therefore. 

Resolved,  That  it  be  recommended  to  Cumberland  Presbyterians, 
both  North  and  South,  to  give  countenance  aiid  support  to  all  con- 
stitutional efforts  of  our  government  to  rid  the  country  of  that 
enormous  evil.     This  was  adopted  by  the  Assembly. — 1864,  p.  142. 

42.    Moral  and   religious   training   of   the   colored   peo- 
ple. 

Tlie  following  report  of  the  Special  t'ommittee  on  the  Moral 
and  l\eligious  Training  of  the  Colored  I'eople  was  adopted: 

Your  Committee  appointed  to  take  into  consideration  the  moral 
and  religious  training  of  the  colored  people,  would  report: 

That  the  present  condition  of  this  people  calls  loudly  upon  every 
American  Christian,  not  for  the  inconsiderate  enthusiasm  that 
would  bestow  honors  which  they  cannot  api)reciate,  and  burden 
tliem  with  responsibilities  \\liich  they  cannot  sui)port,  but  for  the 
promjit  and  sober  attention  that  will  ])auently  and  faithfully  train 
them  in  their  duties  to  God  and  thiir  fellow  man,  in  the  new- 
relation  which  they  now  sustain  to  society.  We  believe  that  their 
moral  and  reljgious  destitution,  lake  them  as  a  whole,  is  perhaps 
greater  at  this  time,  tban  it  bas  been  at  any  other  period  within 
the  history  of  our  C'hurch.  Whilst  it  is  true  that  there  are  at  this 
time  in  successful  ojieration.  for  their  benelit.  many  well  regulated 
schools,  it  is  also  true  that  tliese.  as  yet,  occupy  only  the  gi'eat 
centres  of  population,  and  cannot,  for  a  long  time,  if  ever,  reach 
the  distant  lianilot  of  honest  labor,  or  the  children  in  the  hut 
of  the  miserable  vagrant.  It  is  also  true  that  the  sudden  violence 
of  the  stroke  that  severed  the  tie  which  bound  tbem  to  their  former 
masters,  has  likewise,  for  the  present,  dislocated  the  channel  through 
■which  flowed  to  them,  not  only  many  of  the  restraints  of  religion, 
hul  many  of  its  duties  and  precepts. 


THE  CEMlRAL  ASSEiMUJA'.  361 

Your  Cominiiieo  are  of  opiiuuii  lliat  no  class  of  citizens  ai'e  su 
well  prepared,  nor  are  lliere  tliose  any  more  willing  to  aid  them, 
than  those  with  whom  this  people  have  always  lived;  and,  having 
this  conhdence,  we  recommend  the  adoption  uf  the  following 
resolutions: 

1.  That  the  General  Assembly  recommend  that  all  the  Presby- 
teries of  the  Church  take  such  steps  as  may  be  most  expedient  lu 
organize  for  them  Sabbath  schools,  and  supply  lliem  with  suital)le 
books  and  teachers. 

2.  That  they  cooperate  with  the  American  Bible  Society  in 
supplying  them  with  the  Word  of  God. 

3.  That  they  use  every  endeavor,  so  far  as  they  can,  to  aft'oixl 
them  the  means  of  grace  and  encourage  them  to  sustain  the  same, 
as  God  may  prosi)er  them. 

•1.  That  they  aid  them,  so  far  as  they  can.  in  oljtaining  houses 
suitahle  for  such  schools  and  the  more  public  worship  of  God. — 
1866.  pp.  80,  81. 

43.     Establishment    of    the    Cumberland    Presbyterian 
Church,  Colored. 

The  following  was  made  the  action  of  the  General  Assem- 
bly: 

1.  The  Convention  [of  coloi'ed  ministers  tlien  in  session  in  tbe 
city  of  Murfreesboro.  Tenn.  |  asks  this  (Jenci al  Assembly  to  in- 
stnict  the  Synods  of  the  Church  to  create  as  many  Presbyteries 
of  colored  ministers  as  the  Synods  may  think  l)esl.  We  recommend 
that  the  Assembly  refer  this  ])art  of  the  menioiia!  to  the  Synods 
in  whose  bounds  colored  ministers  mav  lie  foiiiKl:  and  that  any 
Sj^nod  having  a  sufficient  number  of  colored  ministers  in  its  bounds 
is  hereby  authorized  to  foi-m  them  into  a  Presltytery.  whenever. 
in  the  judgment  of  the  .Synod,  tlu'  best  inteicsls  of  the  colored 
membcrshi])  of  the  Chui'ch  will  be  subserved  therel)y. 

2.  The  Coiivonlion  asks  the  Assembly  to  iKsne  insi ructions,  pro- 
viding for  tlie  organiz;;t!i;n  oi  a  Synod,  when  llie  i'e(|uisite  number 
of  Presbyteries  shall  have  Iw^en  formed.  As  thei'e  is  no  probabiliiy 
that  such  a  Synod  could  be  formed  during  the  ensuing  ecclesiastical 
year,  we  recommend  that  this  item  of  the  memorial  be  referred  to 
the  next  General  Assembly. 


852  PART  IW,   CHrRCir  COIRJ'S. 

3.  Ihe  Convention  asks  that  the  C'liuich  at  large  render  them 
all  the  assistance  possible,  hy  lending  them  I  lie  u.-^e  of  the  church 
houses,  aiding  them  in  building  churches  of  their  own^  and  furnish- 
ing them  with  books.  Your  Committee  recommend  that  this  rc- 
(juest  be  hereby  commended  to  the  favorable  consideration  and 
action  of  the  whole  Church,  and  its  several  judicatories. 

1.  The  Convention  asks  that  some  ])lan  be  presented  by  which 
colored  ministers  may  be  instructed  in  theology  and  church  govern- 
ment. Your  Committee  are  of  the  o})inion  that  the  education  of 
colored  men  who  have  been,  or  may  hereafter  be,  admitted  to  the 
ministry  in  our  Church,  is  indispensable  to  their  usefulness  and 
the  welfare  of  the  congregations  that  may  be  committed  to  their 
caie.  We  therefore  recommend  that  this  General  Assembly  sug- 
gest to  colored  ministers  now  in  convention  the  pro])riety  of  select- 
ing some  place  wdiich,  in  their  judgment,  will  be  suitable  for  the 
location  of  an  institution  of  learning,  in  wliich  colored  candidates 
for  the  ministry  may  be  taught  in  those  l)raiiches  required  by  our 
IJook  of  Discipline.  We  would  further  recommend  that  this  As- 
sembly appoint  a  committee  of  five  to  eoiiperate  with  the  Conven- 
tion in  efforts  to  establish  such  an  institution;  and  that  said  com- 
mittee be  instructed  to  report  the  resiUt  of  their  ell'orts  to  the 
ne.xt  General  Assembly. 

In  conclusion,  your  Committee  would  lemark,  that  in  the  pre- 
amble to  the  memorial,  under  consideration,  the  Colored  Conven- 
tion express  the  opinion  that  it  would  not  1)e  for  the  advance- 
ment of  the  interests  of  the  Church,  among  either  the  white  or 
colored  race,  for  the  ministers  of  the  two  races  to  meet  together 
in  the  same  judicatures.  In  this  opinion  your  Committee  fully 
concur.  We  therefore  the  more  earnestly  recommend  the  adoption 
of  measures  for  their  organization  into  separate  judicatures.  We 
are  very  well  aware  of  the  fact  that  the  whole  subject  of  the  dis- 
position to  be  made  of  our  colored  membership,  and  the  measures 
to  be  taken  to  secure  the  spiritual  welfare  of  the  colored  popula- 
tion of  our  country,  is  one  which  is  environed  with  no  ordinary 
difficnlties.  And  we  think  it  prudent  for  all  our  Church  judica- 
tures to  confine  themselves  to  such  steps  as  are  obviously  neces- 
sary and  proper  for  the  present,  and  await  tlic  further  develop- 
ments of  Divine  Providence  before  determining  ujion  an  ultimate 
policy.— ]R60.  pp.  23,  21. 


THP:  CEXIIRAL  ASSEMJILY.  85:5"' 

^'kereas,  Cireeii villi'  Pici^byteiy,  within  the  hounds  of  the  Synod 
of  Green  River,  and  lluntsvilK'  and  I'llk  liiver  Preshyteries,  in  t]ie 
hounds  of  the  Synod  of  C'olnmhia,  have  heen  constituted;  and  these 
Presbyteries  desire  to  be  constituted  a  Synod;  Iherefore, 

Besolred,  That  the  request  of  these  Presbyteries  of  the  Colored 
Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,  organized  in  accordance  with 
the  recommendation  of  the  Assembly  of  18G9,  be,  with  the  appro- 
bation of  the  Assend)ly.  constituted  a  Synod,  to  be  known  as  the 
First  Synod  of  the  Colored  Cundjerland  Pi-esbyterian  Church;  to 
hold  its  first  meetin<r  at  Fayetteville.  Tenn.,  at  1 1  o'clock,  a.m., 
on  Friday  before  the  fii-st  Sabbath  of  Xovember,  18T1;  that  Eev. 
Charles  Crahani  be  the  first  ^loderatoi-.  and  in  case  of  his  absence, 
Eev.  Lewis  Xeal  be  his  alternate;  and  be  it  further 

Resolved,  That  the  Synod  of  Columbia  be  requested  to  ajipoint 
a  committee  to  assist  in  the  oi'ganization  of  the  Synod.  Adopted. 
—1871,  p.  28. 

The  followin-^-  report   was   adopted    l)y   the   Assemldy: 

A  memorial  has  been  considered  fiom  nine  individuals,  repre- 
senting themselves  as  ministers  and  I'lders  of  ^Missouri  Preshytery, 
which  is  a  colored  organization,  constituted,  as  your  Committee 
understand,  in  pursuance  of  an  agreement  made  with  them  by  the 
General  Assembly  at  Murfreesl)oio.  in  lS(i!). 

The  memoi-ialists  ask  this  General  Assembly  to  decide  for  them 
whether  they  ai-e  mendjers  of  Ozark  Synod,  or  mrndiei-s  of  a  Col- 
ored Synod  in  Kentucky  or  Tennessee;  and  whether  tliey  are  en- 
titled to  rejiresentation  in  the  (Jeneral  Assenil)ly.  Not  having  the 
minutes  of  Ozark  Synod  l)efore  it,  your  ('ommiltee  will  liave  to 
decide  these  questions  according  to  tlie  lecords  hefoi'e  it. 

In  18()9,  the  status  of  the  colored  ])eoi)]e.  .uid  their  future  re- 
lations toward  the  (ieiiei'al  Assembly  of  tlie  ('nml)ei'land  Pi'esby- 
terian  Church  were  fixed,  and  the  colored  ])eople  were  com- 
mended to  the  favorable  consideration  of  the  Synods,  to  carry  out 
their  wishes  in  the  premises. 

In  theii'  memorial  these  colored  people  ex])ressed   the  opinion, 
"that  it  would  not  be  for  the  advancement  of  the  interests  of  the 
Church,  among  either  the  white  or  colored  race,  for  the  ministers 
of  the  two  races  to  meet  together  in  the  same  judicatures." 
23 


354  PAR  T  n  '..  cm  A'CJf  C  Of  A'TS. 

In  this  opinion  the  General  Assembly  lully  coneiin-ed.  In  1870, 
tlie  same  snbject.  was  brought  before  the  Asseml)ly  again,  having 
been  brought  thither  by  a  report  of  a  committee  appointed  in  1869, 
and  which  was  adopted  by  the  Asseml)ly,  recommending  ''that  we 
take  no  step  backward,  but,  on  the  ccnitrary.  stand  by  the  colored 
man  on  the  grounds  so  happily  chosen  by  him.  On  this  plan, 
faithfully  carried  out,  your  Committee  feel  assured  that  the  highest 
and  most  sacred  interests  of  both  races  will  be  ])r()moted  and  the 
peace  of  the  entire  C'lnneh  maintained." 

In  the  memorial  now  presented  there  is  no  dissaiisfaction  ex- 
pressed, or  eomjtlaint  made  against  our  Assembly  for  any  action 
taken  l)y  it,  but  dimply  a  query  as  to  the  status  of  these  individuals, 
representing  themselves  as  aforesaid,  organized  in  accordance  with, 
and  on  the  basis  of.  the  rejiort  of  the  committee,  and  whicli  was 
adopted  by  the  (icneral  Asseml)ly  at   .Murfreesboro. 

The  Asscml)ly  is  not  charged  witb  breaking  faith  with  these 
})eople,  and  the  memorialists  do  not  show  any  disposition  on  their 
part  to  b]-eak  faith  with  us.  The  (ieneral  Assembly  will  be  tnie 
and  faithful  to  tbeir  ])ledge  to  the  colored  peo])lo.  anrl  will  ever 
be  ready  to  aid,  advise  and  counsel  witb  tbcni  in  tbeir  separate 
ecclesiastical  organization. 

Considering,  therefore,  that  having  chosen  their  own  status,  and 
the  General  Assembly  having  exercised  all  its  powers,  expressed 
and  implied,  youi-  Coniniittee  cannot  say  that  they  are  integral 
parts  of  Ozark  Synod,  and  tbat  they  ean  be  represented  in  the 
General  Assend)ly. — ]87o,  ]i.  ;il. 

T(i  ilie  (Iciicnil  AssniihJi/  nf  iJie  C uiithrrliiinl  /'n'sbj/lcriaii  (liurrh, 
X(is/irill(\  '/'niii..  ^luij,  ISSo: 
^Moderator  and  Ukethren: — We,  the  Synod  of  Central  Illinois, 
assembled  in  com])liance  with  the  re({uesi  of  the  Foster  Presby- 
tery in  our  bounds,  nieiuorialize  yom-  Ifeverend  liody.  re(iuesting 
that  yoTi  take  such  action  as  will  open  the  way  for  the  restoration 
of  the  people  of  the  Cund)erland  Presbyterian  Church,  Colored, 
to  our  C*hureb  on  an  e([uital)le  basis.  And  for  this  purpose  we 
request  that  you  appoint  a  committee  whicli,  with  a  like  committee 
appointed  by  the  General  Assembly  of  their  Church,  when  ap- 
pointed, shall  form  a  joint  committee  for  the  purpose  of  arranging 
a  plan  of  re-union,  wliicb  i»inn.  when  saitl  comiuittees  have  agreed, 


Tirii  (;i':XERAL  ASSE.^rnLY.  355 

tliev  :*hall  submit  to  Llif  ({ciH'ral  Assemblies  of  I  he  two  Churches 
i'or  iboir  endoi-semont  and  suhmisvsion  Lo  the  several  ri-esbyteries 
of  each  Chiinli:  and  when  tbe  said  })hui.  thus  agi'eed  upon  and 
submitted,  is  adoi)ted  l)y  a.  nuijority  oi"  the  rresbyteries  in  each  of 
the  Churches,  and  re])ortcd  oihcially  to  tlie  Stated  Clei'k  in  each 
General  As^sendilv,  it  sball  bi'i-nnie  a  l)asis  of  a  I'e-iinion  1)etweeu 
the  two  Churelies,  and  lliey  sludl  theieal'ter  have  but  one  General 
Assembly.  C(un})osed  of  commissioners  \.\\n\\  tlie  sevei-al  Presby- 
teries in  each  of  the  two  Churche>s,  according  tO'  the  tei-ms  agreed 
upon  and  ado])ted  in  said  l)asis  of  re-union. 

On  tlie  fo'Cgoing  tbe  I'olhnving  repoi't  of  tbe  Comiiullee  on 
Overtures  was  concurred   in: 

1.  The  action  of  tlie  General  Assend)ly  tluii  led  to  tbe  organiza- 
tion of  the  I'olored  Cuml)erhuid  Presljylcrian  Church,  was  had 
at  the  I'equest  <d'  a  Convention  of  colored  ministers  in  session  at 
^lurfreesboro,  Tcnn.,  during  tbe  sitting  of  the  General  Assembly 
in  that  city  in  ISGl).  Since  they  were  the  nmvers  for  the  organiza- 
tion of  an  indcpeiulent  Church,  we  think  it  not  e<[uitable,  while 
they  are  as  fice  as  you  ai'e  to  move  in  such  a  uuitter,  for  your 
General  Asscanbly  to  move  lii'st. 

2.  The  e.\])ei  ieuce  of  ibose  Cbui'cbes  that,  bave  most  largely 
succeeded  among  tbe  colored  peo])le.  justify  us  in  the  conviction 
that  a  larger  success  can  be  reached  by  an  independent  organization. 

We,  therefore,  recommend  that  you  do  not  gi'ant  tbe  memorial. 
At  the  same  time,  we  think  they  should  have  assurances  of  the 
sympathy  of  this  General  Assembly,  and  every  assistance  in  our 
power  should  be  given  to  aid  and  encourage  them  in  their  great 
work,  es]iecia]ly  in  their  educatiomtl  work. — ISSo.   pp.  25,  26. 

(1)    KDt'CATrONAL    FACILITIES    KOR    THE    (  V)l,OKKO    ClIURCII. 

The  Committee  appointed  Ijy  the  last  General  Assembly,  to 
cooperate  with  the  Convention  of  Colored  Ministers  in  the  selection 
of  a  location  and  to  establish  a  school  for  the  education  of  colored 
candidates  for  the  ministry  in  your  Church,  would  l)eg  lea.ve  to 
report  that  they  have  earnestly  atlem])tcd  to  ])erfornv  the  duty 
assigned  them,  having  ajipointed  Rev.  ]\Ioses  T.  "Weir  our  agent 
on  behalf  of  tbe  joint  committee,  with  power  to  select  and  report 
a  suitable  site,  and  to  raise  means  and  nuixbase  the  same.  The 
many  demands  on    tlii'    lime   of  said    a"-ent   for   ministerial    labor 


356  J'.IRT  11'.,  L  H  L  R  CI  I  CO  UR 1 S. 

amoiig  his  own  people,  and  the  want  oi'  a  geneiotis  and  contiding 
cooperation  among  tiie  people  oi'  color — induced,  as  your  Com- 
mittee unhesilatiugly  believe,  I'rom  enemiec;  without,  who  would 
fain  have  lliem  believe  that  loyally  to  the  Cumbei'land  Pretibyterian 
Church,  and  to  the  Gospel  as  held  and  taught  by  iheni,  is  virtually 
disloyalty  tu  Caesar — hence  have  resulted  in  apalh\'  and  distrust 
in  the  plans  originating  among  and  hailing  i'rom  their  own  most 
intelligent  and  pious  leaders.  Without  uu)ney  at  the  connnand  oi" 
the  Committee,  they  cottld  not  go  I'oiward  in  tiie  work,  iberefore 
did  notliing  of  moment. 

The  Commit  leu  deem  it  a  nuitter  of  importance  to  the  cause 
of  Christ  among  oui-  ciiiirc  people,  that  you  lake  no  step  back- 
ward, but,  on  the  eonlrar}-.  that  you  stand  l)y  the  colored  man 
on  the  grounds  so  hajipily  chosen  by  biju.  [iSec  .Seclion  43  aljove.J 
On  this  plan.  I'ailhfully  carried  out,  your  Committee  feel  assured 
that  the  highesl  and  most  sacred  interests  of  both  races  will  be 
promoted,  and  the  j)eace  of  the  entire  Ciiurch  nuiiniained. 

For  the  pi'esent.  your  Commillee  I'ecommend  ihat  all  possible 
encouragemenls  be  given  to  young  men  of  color  ])rcparing  for  the 
ministry  in  our  Church,  and  that  this  should  be  attended  to  in 
some  praclicable  way,  Ijy  the  joint  action  of  the  Presbyteries  in 
wltose  bounds  ibey  juay  ha])pen  to  reside.     Adopied. — 187 U,  p.  10. 

The  Committee  a})pointed  to  consider  the  educational  interests 
of  the  Cumberland  Pi-esbyterian  Church,  Coloi'ed,  otfered  the  fol- 
lowing j)aper,  which  was  ado|)led,  and  Ministers  T.  C.  lilake,  D.  M. 
Harris,  and  J.  8.  Crider  were  appointed  07i  the  courmittee  provided 
for  therein: 

Youi-  Commiltee,  having  seiiously  considered  the  subject  referred 
to  them,  reconuneiul  tbat  you  api)oint  a  commitlee  to  cooperate 
with  ihe  lioai'd  of  Kducation  of  the  Cmnberland  Presbyterian 
Church,  Colored,  on  Ihe  importance  of  establishing  a  school  for 
the  education  of  llieir  candidates  for  ihe  ministry,  and  also  lo 
devise  the  l)est  means  of  raising  money  for  said  school.  Adopted. 
—1882,  p.  29. 

117/r/v7/.s-.  The  Colored  Cumberland  Presbyteri;;ns  are  making- 
praiseworthy  effoi'ts  to  keep  their  work  abrea.st  with  the  times; 
and. 


THE  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY.  357 

V^-herea»,  Y\  is  believed  thai  there  are  many  ways  in  wliieh  our 
(jeneral  Assjeiultly  can  and  should  encouiage  and  help  iheiu, 

Jiesolved,  1.  Thai  a  couunittee  be  appointed  by  ihis  General 
Assembly  to  confer  with  the  Colored  General  Assembl}-,  and,  al'ler 
consultation  with  that  body  and  the  General  Superintendent  of 
Sunday  schools  of  this  General  Assembly,  and  the  President  of 
the  Board  of  Publication,  if  it  be  deemed  desirable  and  feasible, 
present  to  our  Gliwrcli  a  plan  b}'  which  systematic  and  continuous 
help  shall  be  given  our  colored  brethren. 

2.  That  this  (leneral  Assendjly  urge  our  i)astors  and  congrega- 
tions situated  near  the  congiegations  of  our  colored  brethren,  to 
encourage  I  hem  in  work,  and  liberally  to  help  them  in  securing 
suitable  houses  of  worship. 

3.  That  all  moneys  thus  raised  be  reported  to  the  Board  of 
Missions,  and  through  them  to  the  General  Assembly.  Adopted. 
—1888.  p.  23. 

We  have  considered  the  ])aper  referred  to  us,  in  reference  to 
the  employment  of  the  Eev.  M.  M.  Smith  to  teach  theology  in  the 
school  at  Bowling  Green;  and  while  we  heartily  approve  the  })ropo- 
sition,  we  hesitate  to  recommend  anything  that  might  embarrass 
the  General  Assembly  financially.  We  suggest  that  this  matter  be 
left  with  the  proper  authorities,  and  that  you  direct  that  collections 
be  taken  in  all  the  congregations  of  the  Church,  and  that  the  money 
received  be  forwarded  to  Mr.  11.  K.  Jenkins,  Bowling  Green.  Ky., 
and  applied  to  the  use  and  benefit  of  said  school.  Adopted. — 
ISS,-).  p.  39. 

As  directed  by  the  last  (Jeneral  Assembly,  we  have  conferred 
with  the  authorities  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church, 
Colored,  regarding  their  proposed  plan  for  educational  work.  A 
year  ago,  their  <Joneral  Assembly  resolved  upon  establishing  a 
school  at  Springfield,  ]\lo.,  but  no  funds  have  been  provided  for 
that  purpose.  Our  advice  to  them  has  Ix'en,  to  reconsider  the 
question  of  location.  The  sum  of  $2,311.00,  placed  in  our  hands 
by  the  General  Assembly's  Board  of  Trustees,  as  proceeds  from 
the  sale  of  school  ]u'0]ierty  at  Bowling  Green,  Ky.,  will  be  avail- 
able for  their  educational  work.  Beyond  this,  no  considerable  sum 
can  be  relied   upon,  theii-  own   resources  for  raising  monev   being 


;io8  PART  IV.,  CHURCH  COURTS. 

limit'ed.  Plainly,  something  uiiglit  lo  be  done,  and  it  appears  that 
Pruvideuce  is  inviting  us  tu  enter  tins  open  dour  iur  useiul  sei  vice, 
whither  the  L'hurL-h  -jught  tu  have  gone  with  .systematic  ellort 
lung  ago.  However,  the  very  limited  resources  for  the  work  we 
now  have  in  hand  cdnstilnte  a  barrier  to  the  progressixe  woi'iv  which 
ought  to  be  dune.  The  situation  suggests  caution  in  assuming  any 
.<l)ecilie  linaneial  obligation.  Should  the  proper  authorities  of  tho 
Colored  I'hurch  take  active  steps  toward  beltei-  educational  woik, 
we  recommend  cooperation,  to  the  extent  of  presenting  the  subject 
before  uur  peo[)le  through  the  usual  channels  and  the  soliciting 
of  voluntaiy  dUcrings  for  that  purpose.  If  this  is  done,  great  care 
should  be  taken  not  to  disturb  the  e\i)eeled  income  for  our  own 
work,  until  our  annual  receipts  increase  much  heyund  their  })resent 
[)ro})ortion.  We  believe  many  in  oui'  C'huicli  will  uiake  generous 
gifts  to  tliis  hnidable  }>urpuse  when  the  work  is  j)ro]verly  organized 
and  the  su1)ject  is  presented  in  a  satisfactory  manner.  These 
needy  peupU'  are  in  (Uir  veiy  uiidst,  they  bear  our  ecclesiastical 
name,  beliexc  and  [ireach  our  tloctrines  with  enthusiasm,  and  lu-e 
calling  loudly  I'ur  hel}i.  As  they  are  a  i)art  c-f  our  own  household 
of  faith,  we  cannot  ignore  them  and  ho})e  to  stand  guiltless  before 
our  comnu)!!  Father.     A[)})roved. — 189.,  }).  89. 

That  you  appoint  Pevs.  W.  J.  Darhy.  11.  S.  Williams.  J.  R. 
Crawford,  J.  E.  Clarke,  a  coiinnittee  on  the  location  and  organiza- 
tion of  a  school  for  the  Cumberland  Preshytcrian  Church,  Colored, 
with  power  to  act.  exiept  in  the  matter  of  contracting  debts,  and 
that  you  instruct  the  Kducational  Society  to  agree  to  pay  $400 
annually  in  su])})ort  of  a  teacher  or  teachers  in  such  school  for 
the  colored  jjcople.  provided  said  sum  can  be  secured  either  a.s 
interest  on  the  jiroceeds  of  the  sale  of  the  Bowling  (xreen  property, 
or  as  volunlaiy  contributions  to  the  Kducational  Society  in  aid  of 
stich  school.     Ado])ted. — 1897,  \)\>.  ;>.5.  3G. 

We  have  also  had  Ijefore  us  the  report  of  your  Committee  on 
Kducational  Work  in  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,  Col- 
ored, and  after  duly  considering  the  same,  we  reconunend  that 
the  General  Assembly  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyteiian  Church, 
Colored,  be  advised  to  an-ange  for  its  jirobationers  to  attend  Kisk 
University  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  until  sucli  time  as  a  hioher  institu- 


THE  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY.  359 

tion  of  their  own  may  be  established,  and  tiiat  the  Board  of 
Directors  of  the  Educational  Society  be  directed  to  provide  insu-uc- 
tion  in  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Theology,  IJistor},  and  Polity, 
for  such  colored  probationers  as  may  enter  Fisk  University.  We 
also  recommend  that  they  be  encouraged  to  establish  i)rei>aratory 
.schools  throughout  their  bounds  wherever  they  may  Ije  necessary. 
Adopted.— 1898.  p.  91. 

(2)   Statistics  oi'  the  Colored  Church  to   be   reported  ix 

THE   MlXriES  OE   THE   GeXERAL   ASSEMBLY. 

Whereas,  ]\lany  of  the  members  of  the  Cumljerland  Presbyterian 
C'hurch,  Colored,  were  once  members  of  the  Church  represented 
by  this  General  Assembly;  and. 

^^lm•eas,  That  Church  is  still  one  with  us  in  doctrine  and  gov- 
ernment; and, 

Wliereas,  Our  Church  entertains  for  that  Church  the  most  kindly 
Christian  sympathy,  and  wishes  by  every  means  in  our  power  to 
express  such  sympathy  and  encourage  that  Church  in  its  self- 
sacrificing  efl'orts  to  spread  our  doctrines  and  honor  the  Master; 
therefore. 

Resolved,  That  the  Stated  Clerk  of  this  General  Assembly  be 
instrncted  to  give  as  full  a  statistical  statement  as  practicable 
of  the  Colored  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,  on  the  page 
next  after  our  own  statistics,  not  as  a  part  of  our  statistics  but  for 
the  mutual  encotiragement  of  both  Churches.  Ajjproved. — 1886, 
p.  48. 


PART  V. 

JUDICIARY. 

I.  THE  LAW  STATED. 

Rules  of  Discipline,  Sec  tioxs  80-95. — An  appeal  is  the  removal 
of  a  cause  already  decided,  from  an  inferior  to  a  superior  court,  the 
effect  of  which  is  to  arrest  sentence  until  the  matter  is  finally  decided. 
It  is  allowable,  after  judgment,  to  either  of  the  parties  to  the  pro- 
ceedings, but  those  who  have  not  submitted  to  a  regular  trial  are  not 
entitled   to   appeal. 

81.  Any  irregularity  in  the  proceedings  of  the  inferior  court,  a  refusal 
of  reasonable  indulgence  to  either  party,  declining  to  receive  important 
testimony,  hurrying  to  a  decision  before  the  testimony  is  fully  taken, 
a  manifestation  of  prejudice  in  the  cause,  and  mistake  or  injustice 
in  the  judgment,  are  all  proper  grounds  of  appeal. 

82.  Every  appellant  must  give  notice  of  his  intention  to  appeal, 
and  the  reasons  therefor,  in  writing,  to  the  court  before  its  adjournment, 
or  within  ten  days  thereafter  to  the  Moderator  or  Clerk. 

83.  No  appeal  shall  be  carried  from  an  inferior  to  any  other  court 
than   the  one   immediately   superior. 

84.  In  considering  an  appeal,  the  following  order  shall  be  observed: 

1.  Ascertaining    whether    the    appellant    has    conducted    it    regularly; 

2.  To  read  record  of  I  lie  caiisv;  3.  To  hear  the  parties,  first  the 
appellant,  then  the  appellee,  the  appellant  then  to  close;  4.  To  call 
the  roll,  that  the  members  may  express  their  opinion  in  the  cause; 
and,  5.  The  vote  shall  be  taken.  The  decision  may  be  either  to 
conform  or  reverse,  in  whole  or  in  part,  the  judgment  of  the  inferior 
court;  or  to  remit  the  cause  for  the  purpose  of  amending  the  record, 
should  it  appear  to  be  incorrect  or  defective,  or  for  a  new  trial. 

85.  If  an  appellant  fail  to  prosecute  his  appeal,  it  shall  be  regarded 
as  abandoned,  and  the  judgment  appealed  from  shall  be  final;  and 
he  shall  be  considered  as  abandoning  his  appeal,  if  it  be  not  pre- 
sented to  the  appellate  court  during  the  next  stated  meeting  thereof, 
unless  such  failure  be  without  fault  on  his  part. 

86.  If  an  appellant  manifest  a  litigious  or  other  unchristian  spirit 
in  the  prosecution  of  his  appeal,  he  shall  be  censured  according 
to  the  degree  of  his  offense. 

87.  If  the  infliction  of  the  sentence  of  suspension,  excommunica- 
tion, or  deposition,  be  arrested  by  appeal,  the  judgment  appealed 
from  shall,  nevertheless,  be  considered  as  in  force  until  the  appeal 
shall   be   decided. 

(:-J6i ) 


362  J 'ART  J'.,  JL'DICTAR  J '. 

88.  If  any  court  shall  neglect  to  send  up  the  )crujd  (jf  the  cause 
to  the  stated  meeting  of  the  appellate  court  next  after  the  appeal 
is  taken,  it  shall  be  censured  according  to  the  circumstances  of  the 
case,  and  the  judgment  appealed  from  shall  be  suspended  until  the 
record    be   produced. 

Co.Mi-I. AIM'S. 

89.  A  complaint  is  a  representation  made  to  a  superior  court  against 
an  inferior  court.  Any  member  of  the  Church,  submitting  to  its 
authority,  may  complain  against  every  kind  of  decision,  except  where 
an  appeal  has  been  taken.  A  complaint  shall  not  suspend,  while 
pending  the  effect  of  the  decision  of  which  the  complaint  is  made. 
Notice  of  complaint  shall  be  given  in  the  same  time  and  manner 
as  notice  of  appeal. 

90.  The  superior  court  has  discretionary  power  either  to  annul  any 
portion  or  the  whole  decision  complained  of,  or  to  send  it  back 
to  the  inferior  court  with   instructions   for  a  new   hearing. 

91.  The  court  against  which  complaint  is  made  shall  send  up  its 
records  in  the  case,  and  be  subject  to  the  same  censure  for  failing 
to  do   so,   as   is   prescribed   in   case   of   appeal. 

DiSSKNTS    AM)    PltOTESTS. 

92.  A  dissent  is  a  declaration  by  one  or  more  members  of  a  minority 
of  a  court,  expressing  a  different  opinion  from  that  of  the  majority, 
as  to  a  particular  matter.  A  dissent,  unaccompanied  with  reasons, 
shall  be  entered  on  the  records  of  the  court. 

93.  A  protest  is  a  more  solemn  and  formal  declaration  by  a  minor- 
ity against  the  action  of  the  majority,  and  is  generally  accompanied 
with  the  reasons  upon  which   it  is  founded. 

94.  If  a  protest  or  dissent  be  couched  in  temi.erate  language, 
and  be  respectful  to  the  court,  it  shall  be  recorded;  and  the  court 
may  put  an  answer   thereto  on   its  records. 

9.').  The  higher  court  shall  take  cognizance  of  and  render  its  judg- 
ment on  all  protests  appearing  upon  the  records  passing  under  its 
review. 

Riles  of  Disciri-i.M:,  Section  67. — Every  decision  made  by  any 
church  court,  except  the  highest,  is  subject  to  the  review  of  a  supe- 
rior court,  and  may  be  brought  before  it  by  general  review  and 
control,   reference,   appeal,    or   complaint. 

[Note. — Often  there  has  been  a  lack  of  discrimination  between  an 
appeal  and  a  complaint.  Frequently  an  "appeal,"  so-called,  has  been 
taken,  when,  legally,  only  a  "complaint"  could  be  made;  and  occa- 
sionally a  "complaint,"  so-called,  has  been  prosecuted,  when  legally 
it    amounted    to   an    "ai)i)eal."     'i'be    General    Assembly    has    not    been 


THE  LAW  STATED.  363 

technical  in  its  application  of  the  law  to  such  cases.     The  spirit  rather 
than  the  letter  of  the  law  has  been  followed. 

Rules  ok  Discipline,  Section  89,  provides  that  "any  member  of 
the  Church,  submitting  to  its  authority,  may  complain  against  every 
kind   of  decision,   except   where  an   appeal   has   been   taken." 

Rules  of  Discipline,  Sec  tion  80,  states  that  "it  is  allowable,  after 
judgment,  to  vMhcr  of  the  iiarticx  to  the  proceed  in  <i^"  to  take  an  <tjtitraJ, 
but  that  "those  who  have  not  submitted  to  a  regular  trial  are  not 
entitled  to  appeal." 

Then  only  "the  parties  to  the  proceedings"  may  "appeal,"  while 
"any  member  of  the  Church,  submitting  to  its  authority,  may  com- 
plain." The  General  Assembly  has  decided  "that  the  right  of  appeal 
is  confined  by  Section  80  of  the  Rules  of  Discipline  to  'iUhcr  of  the 
particH  to  the  i)rocre<1iii!/s;  and  that  the  proper  remedy  to  have  been 
pursued  by  a  )ii<iiihrr  of  Lr.ihiuton  Presbijteri/  [in  the  Bowers  case, 
found  in  the  following  pages]  to  bring  the  matter  properly  before 
the  Synod  was  hji  voiiiiiUiiiit,  as  provided  for  in  Section  89  of  the 
Rules  of  Discipline."  The  phrase,  "the  parties  to  the  proceedings," 
in  the  Government  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,  means 
the  same  as  the  phrase,  "the  original  parties,"  in  the  Government 
of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of  America.  The 
following  decisions  taken  from  "The  Presbyterian  Digest,  1898,"  p. 
721,  will  be  helpful  in  determining  when  an  "appeal"  can  be  prose- 
cuted, and  when  only  a  "complaint"  may  be  made: 

"The  Judicial  Committee  reported  a  paper,  signed  by  Dr.  Cath- 
cart  and  others,  members  of  the  Presbytery  of  Carlisle,  purporting 
to  be  an  appeal  or  complaint  relative  to  a  decision  of  the  Synod 
of  Philadelphia.  The  committee  gave  it  as  their  opinion  that  the 
subject  could  not  be  taken  up  on  the  ground  of  an  aiiiieal,  because 
these  persons  were  not  one  of  the  orUjinal  partirs  [i.  e.,  one  of  the 
parlies  to  the  proeeedihus],  but  that  it  might  be  taken  up  in  the 
character  of  a  com  pJ  a  int." 

'  lits-olrcd,  That  the  Assembly  cannot  entertain  this  case  as  one  of 
appeal,  inasmuch  as  it  has  not  been  made  by  one  of  the  original  parties 
[i.  e.,  one  of  Hie  iiarties  to  the  proceedings].  The  case  was  then  con- 
tinued as  a  com  plaint." 

"In  the  case  of  the  appeal  of  Thomas  H.  Skinner  ct  ul.,  from  the 
Presbytery  of  Cincinnati,  the  Committee  recommend  that,  inas- 
much as  the  so-called  appellants  were  not  an  original  party  [i.  e., 
a   party  to   the  proceed ing.'<},   they   are  not  entitled   to   an   appeal." 

"In  the  appeal  of  George  Fishbach  vs.  the  Synod  of  Illinois  South, 
the  case  was  dismissed,  inter  alia,  'because  the  appellant  is  not  a 
party   aggrieved.'  " 

What  is  meant  by  "the  parties  to  the  proceedings"  or  the  "original 
parties".^  Evidently  "the  parties  concerned  in  the  origin  of  the  dispute" 
(J.  A.  Hodge,  D.D.),  or  tlic  parties  to  a  "judicial  investigation"   (Rules 


364  PAR T  J'..  JUniCIAR ) '. 

of  Discipline,  Section  1).  By  "iitdicint  iiirrstiiidtioii"  is  meant  "the 
formal  trial  of  charges"  (Hodge)  or  "the  rebuke  of  offenses,  the 
removal  of  scandal,  the  vindication  of  the  honor  of  Christ,  the  pro- 
motion of  the  purity  and  edification  of  the  Church,  the  protection 
of  the  innocent,  and  the  spiritual  good  of  offenders"  (Rules  of  Dis- 
cipline, Section  2).  Then  only  "the  iiartics  to  the  i)ror(crliiifi>^"  in  "ju- 
dicial iinc^ti<jatli»i"  have  a  right  to  take  an  apiical,  but  "aiii/  member 
of  the  Church,  snhniitfiii;/  to  its  authorittj,"  may  make  a  com  plaint,  pro- 
vided one  of  "the  i>artiex  to  tin  iiroceed in (/■•<"  has  not  already  taken 
an  appeal. — J.  V.  S.] 

Whereafs,  the  appellate  jurisdiction  of  the  higher  over  the  lower 
judicatures,  recognized  in  our  Form  of  Government  and  Discipline, 
as  in  Form  of  Government,  chap.  9,  sec.  5;  chap.  10,  sec.  3;  chap.  11, 
sec.  4;  and  in  Forms  of  Process,  chap.  1,  sec.  12;  is  obviously  de- 
signed to  secure  the  greatest  possible  freedom  from  error  and  impurity 
in  the  administration  of  government  and  discipline,  by  opening  the 
way  to  remove  the  final  decision  of  the  case  from  the  influence  of 
any  real  or  supposed  undue  local  bias,  and  obtaining  judgment  formed 
on  the  documentary  evidence  alone.  And  this  appellate  jurisdiction 
based  in  the  reason  that  there  may  be  a  greater  liability  to  erroneous 
judgment  in  the  court  appealed  from  than  in  that  appealed  to,  and 
the  liability  to  err  in  deciding  for  the  prosecution  being  no  greater 
than  that  of  deciding  against  it; 

Therefore,  in  view  of  this  fact,  and  established  precedents  in  the 
administration  of  ecclesiastical  law  under  Presbyterian  government, 
and  in  view  of  certain  questions  which  have  arisen,  or  may  here- 
after arise,   touching  the   right  of  appeal: 

1.  Resolred,  That  it  be,  and  is  hereby  declared  the  plain  and  une- 
quivocal sense  of  this  General  Assembly,  that  the  reason,  standing 
in  the  foreground  of  the  principle  of  appeal,  is  such  as  makes  the 
right  of  appeal  mutual  in  regard  to  prosecutor  and  defendant;  the 
principle  being  right,  and  it  being  the  very  nature  of  a  just  principle 
to  be  reciprocal  in  its  operation.  And,  moreover,  it  is  such  as  gives 
to  the  minority  of  a  judicature  the  right  to  appeal  from  the  sentence 
of  the  majority  in  cases  in  which  process  is  not  entered  by  an  in- 
dividual but  the  judicature  on  the  ground  of  common  fame. 

2.  Resolred,  That  each  Session,  Presbytery,  and  Synod,  of  which 
the  General  Assembly  is  the  bond  of  union  and  correspondence,  has 
constitutional  rights  equal  to  every  other  Session,  Presbytery,  and 
Synod. 

3.  Resolred,  That  in  the  exercise  of  these  rights  by  any  one  Session, 
Presbytery,  or  Synod,  there  is  and  can  be  no  infringement  of  the- 
constitutional  rights  of  any  other  Session,  Presbytery,  or  Synod. 

4.  Resolred,  That  no  Session,  Presbytery,  or  Synod  can  set  aside- 
either  directly  or  indirectly  the  official  acts  of  any  other  Session, 
Presbytery,  or  Synod,  each  being  equal  in  rights.— 1849,  pp.  24-26. 


THE  LAW  STATED.  365 

Resoheil,  by  this  Assembly,  That  when  a  prosecution  is  entered 
in  any  of  the  inferior  judicatures  of  the  Church,  in  the  name  and 
upon  the  responsibility  of  ^n  individual,  if  the  decision  of  the  lower 
judicature  be  adverse  to  the  prosecution,  then  and  in  that  case, 
there  may  be  an  appeal  taken  from  the  decision  of  the  lower  to  a 
higher  judicature;  provided,  that  in  all  cases  where  the  prosecutor  is, 
or  may  be,  a  witness  in  the  case,  he  has  not  a  right  to  appeal. 
Adopted.— 1849,  p.  24. 

It  was  ordered  that  the  two  following  reports  be  spread  upon  the 
Minutes: 

Majority  Kei^urt. — Indefinitely  postponed: 

The  memorial  from  Tehuacana  Presbytery  raises  some  very  grave 
and  important  questions  that  must  be  acted  upon  with  great  caution 
and  consideration,  otherwise  a  wrong  conclusion  may  be  reached,  and 
disastrous  consequences  will  ensue  to  the  Church  at  large.  Before 
entexing  upon  the  discussion  of  the  question  involved,  we  will  be 
excused  for  stating  a  few  general  principles  which  have  obvious 
application  to  all  church  government  as  well  as  civil  govern- 
ment. 

The  object  of  all  government  is  for  the  mutual  advantage  and 
protection  of  all  the  subjects  of  that  government.  In  civil  govern- 
ment, the  protection  extends  to  life,  liberty,  property,  and  reputation. 
In  ecclesiastical  government,  the  leading  object  is  the  general  ad- 
vancement of  the  Redeemer's  kingdom  upon  earth;  but  as  this  can 
be  accomplished  mainly  by  human  instrumentality,  it  becomes 
apparent  that  it  must  be  a  leading  consideration  in  all  church  gov- 
ernment to  protect  its  own  purity  through  the  good  name  and  good 
repute  of  all  its  members.  The  church  body  is  composed  of  all  its 
members,  and  in  so  far  as  the  good  character  of  the  members  of 
the  Church  becomes  involved,  just  to  that  extent  will  the  character 
of  the  Church  be  compromised.  We  reach  the  conclusion,  then,  that 
it  must  be  a  leading  consideration  in  all  church  organizations  to 
throw  around  every  member  of  its  communion  an  ample  shield  oi 
security  and  protection,  because  in  the  good  name  of  all  its  members 
lies  the  very  vitals— the  very  heart  of  the  Church  itself.  If,  then,  the 
very  citadel  of  the  Church's  safety  can  be  successfully  assailed,  the 
government  of  the  Church,  and  the  Church  itself,  is  a  failure— the 
bonds  of  her  union  are  ropes  of  sand — and  it  only  becomes  a  question 
of  time  when  the  organization  will  fall  to  pieces.  Nor  is  it  any 
argument  against  these  views  that  no  such  disastrous  consequences 
have  befallen  our  beloved  branch  of  the  Church.  The  very  fact  that 
the  Assembly  is  now  called  upon  to  consider  these  vital  questions, 
indicates  that  the  peril  is  at  hand,  and  that  the  danger  must  be 
met  by  a  deliverance  from  this  body,  adequate  to  the  emergenci.es 
of  the   occasion. 


3tJ(>  J  'AK  y '  / ". ,  H  DICIAA' ) '. 

The  first  question  propouuded  by  the  Tehuacana  Presbytery  is: 
"Is  there  any  provision  in  Oiir  Form  ol'  Government  for  a  change 
of  venue  when  the  accused  has  reason  to  believe  that,  owing  to 
prejudice  or  some  other  cause,  he  cannot  obtain  justice  from  the 
judicature  by  which  lie  is  to  be  judged?" 

The  second  question  is:  "If  there  is  no  such  provision  either  in 
our  Form  of  Government,  or  by  a  deliverance  of  a  former  Assembly; 
and,  \l  the  similarity  between  the  Form  of  Government  of  our  Church 
and  Lhe  universally  adopted  civil  code  does  not  imply  such  a  provision, 
we  most  respectfully  memorialize  your  Reverend  Body  to  make  a  deliv- 
erance providing  for  such  change  of  venue." 

In  answer  to  the  first  question,  the  Committee  answer  that  tiiere 
is  no  provision  in  the  Book  of  Discipline  for  a  change  of  venue  in 
any  case;  and  in  answer  to  the  second  question,  we  state  that  no 
former  Assembly  has,  to  our  knowledge,  made  any  deliverance  on 
this  question;  and,  by  way  of  further  answer  to  said  second  question, 
we  state  that  the  Form  of  Government  does  not  furnish  any  specific 
formula  for  conducting  criminal  prosecutions  in  the  Church  courts; 
that  nothing  but  the  most  meagre  outline  of  proceeding  is  furnished 
for  the  management  of  public  prosecutions,  and  from  the  very  fact 
that  so  little  is  said  in  the  Book  touching  this  matter,  we  are 
bound  to  conclude  that  the  framers  of  our  Constitution  must  have 
contemplated  that  in  all  criminal  prosecutions,  reference  should  be 
had  to  all  those  unwritten  principles  of  natural  justice  which  lie  at 
the  foundation  of  every  civilized  government  in  the  world.  These 
principles  are  all-pervading;  they  enter  into  and  constitute  an  essential 
element  of  the  law  in  every  court,  civil  or  ecclesiastical,  in  the 
civilized  world.  It  is  a  fundamental  rule  of  law  that  cannot  be 
ignored  with  safety  or  disregarded  with  impunity,  that,  when  a  man 
is  accused  of  crime,  he  shall  be  tried  before  an  impartial  and  un- 
prejudiced tribunal.  The  presumptions  of  law  are  all  in  favor  of 
man's  innocence,  and  there  is  no  point  more  sacredly  guarded  in 
all  the  civil  codes  of  the  country  than  thit:  that  a  man  shall  answer 
to  a  criminal  charge  only  before  a  court  where  there  is  no  feeling 
and  no  prejudice  against  him.  This  is  the  law  of  the  country 
everywhere.  Now,  shall  it  be  said  that  the  secular  courts  of  the 
secular  government  afford  more  adequate  protection  to  its  citizens 
than  the  Church  of  .lesus  Christ  extends  to  the  humblest  of  its 
members? 

We  recur,  then,  to  the  proposition  already  laid  down,  that  a 
criminal  prosecution  cannot  be  conducted  either  with  safety  to  the 
Church,  or  with  justice  to  the  accused,  without  the  application  of 
numerous  principles  of  law,  that  are  not  laid  down  in  the  Book,  but 
that  necessarily  enter  into  the  jurisprudence  of  eA'ery  legal  tribunal 
in  the  world.  Now,  can  any  dangerous  consecuences  follow  from 
such   a  law?     All   the   Church   wants   for   its   purity  and   protection   is 


THE  LAW  STATED.  :;(i7 

a  fair  trial,   and   all  the  accused   ought  to   have  is  a  judgment   by   a 
court  wholly  free  from  personal  animosity  and  prejudice. 

We  lay  down  another  proposition  as  containing  a  sound  rule  of 
law:  That  in  the  organization  of  every  tribunal,  which  is  to  ad- 
judicate upon  the  rights  of  the  people,  every  rule  and  principle  of 
law  is  necessarily  implied,  as  appertaining  to  the  powers  of  such 
tribunal  as  are  necessary  to  enable  it  to  administer  complete  justice 
to  the  accused,  and,  at  the  same  time,  protect  the  government  which 
the  cotirt  represents.  Our  Church  courts  cannot  administer  the  law 
of  the  Church  without  adopting  this  doctrine  of  implied  powers.  They 
must  have  recourse  to  those  principles  of  law,  unwritten  they  may 
be,  which  lie  at  the  foundation  of  all  civilized  and  Christian  society, 
and  which  are  the  recognized  standards  of  right  in  all  courts  in 
every  Christian  country.  We,  therefore,  declare  the  law  of  the 
Church  to  be,  not  expressed  in  the  Book,  but  necessarily  implied,  that 
all  those  tribunals  which  have  original  jurisdiction  for  the  trial  of 
offenders  against  the  law,  upon  the  application  of  the  accused,  and  upon 
a  proper  showing  of  the  truth  of  his  application,  should  grant  a  change 
to  some  court  of  similar  jurisdiction  for  final  adjudication.  If  this 
principle  be  not  adopted  as  the  law  of  the  Church,  then  the  Church 
can  afford  no  protection  to  its  members.  Evei-y  minister  and  member 
of  the  Church  is  placed  at  the  mercy  of  conspiracies  and  combina- 
tions, wiiich  he  is  powerless  to  resist. 

Minority   Report,  which  was  adopted: 

We,  the  undersigned,  a  minority  of  your  Committee  on  Judiciary, 
respectfully  express  our  dissent  from  the  opinion  of  said  Committee, 
as  expressed  in  one  point  of  their  report  on  the  memorial  from 
Tehuacana  Presbytery,  viz.:  The  question  of  the  right  of  the  change 
of   venue. 

While  we  fully  agree  w'ith  the  majority  of  the  Committee  on  its 
full  and  clear  statement  of  the  principles  of  common  law,  and  the 
application  of  these  principles  to  the  government  of  the  proceed- 
ings of  Presbyteries  in  case  of  process  against  a  minister  of  the 
Gospel,  yet  we  are  of  opinion  that  these  principles  and  the  practices 
and  customs  obtaining  in  criminal  courts  should  not  be  applied  to 
ecclesiastical  courts,  in  so  far  as  to  allow  or  require  a  change  of 
venue  in  the  case  of  the  arraignment  and  trial  of  a  minister  of 
the  Gospel  by  his  Presbytery.  As  the  basis  of  this  opinion,  we  submit 
the    following    reasons: 

1.  One  of  the  underlying  principles  of  Presbyterian  Government 
is,  that  each  Presbytery  has  exclusive  jurisdiction  in  ordaining, 
settling,  removing,  or  judging  ministers.  (See  Form  of  Government, 
chap,    ix.,   sec.    Tj.) 

?..  Tn  our  opinion,  such  application  of  the  rules  of  common  law 
to   the   government   of  our   Presbyteries   is   contrary   to   the   spirit,   if 


368  PART  \.,JiDICJARy. 

not  to  tiie  letter  of  our  Form  of  Government.  See  Form  of  Process, 
chap,  ii.,  sec.  1,  where  it  is  expressly  provided  that  "Process  against 
a  Gospel  minister  shall  always  be  entered  before  the  Presbytery  of 
which  he  is  a  member,  "  and  where  it  is  furtlier  provided  that  if  the 
facts  of  which  sucli  minister  stands  charged  happened  without  the 
Presbytery,  there  can  be  nothing  else  asked  or  expected  of  the  other 
Presbytery  than  simply  securing  evidence  in  the  case,  and  the  trans- 
it! don  of  such  evidence  to  the  Presbytery  of  which  the  accused 
ia  a  member;  and  where  it  is  further  provided,  that  in  case  of  a 
minister's  being  supposed  to  be  guilty  of  any  crime  or  crimes,  and 
at  such  a  distance  from  his  usual  place  of  residence  that  the  offense 
is  not  likely  to  become  otherwise  known  to  the  Presbytery  to  which 
he  belongs,  it  shall  in  such  case  be  the  duty  of  the  Presbytery,  within 
whose  bounds  the  facts  shall  have  happened,  to  do  nothing  more 
than  to  notify  the  Presbytery  to  which  he  belongs,  and  to  assist 
such  Presbytery  in  the  case,  and  to  send  notice  to  the  Presbytery 
of  which  the  accused  is  a  member:  and  then  it  is  expressly  provided 
that  the  Presbytery  of  which  the  accused  is  a  member  is  to  proceed 
against  him,  and  to  take  the  proof  by  commission:  thus  indicating, 
as  we  believe,  that  the  accused  can  only  be  tried  by  the  Presbytery 
cf  which  he  is   a  member. 

3.  We  are  of  opinion  that  the  analogy  between  criminal  pi^osecution 
by  the  State,  and  ecclesiastical  prosecution  by  the  Presbytery,  does 
not  hold  in  tlie  following  particulars:  (1)  All  criminal  prosecutions 
are  in  the  name  of  the  State,  and  hence  in  any  part  of  the  State 
the  trial  may  iiroceed  iu  any  court  of  concurrent  jurisdiction,  to 
which  it  may  be  sent  from  the  court  of  original  jurisdiction:  but 
prosecutions  b\  a  Presbytery  are  in  the  name  of  the  Presbytery, 
and  not  in  the  name  of  the  Synod,  or  the  Church.  (2)  The  State 
may  require  a  court,  under  certain  conditions,  to  take  a  case  on  change 
of  venue,  and  such  court  has  all  the  rights  and  powers  as  the 
court  of  original  jurisdiction,  but  there  is  no  provision  in  your  Form 
of  Government  requiring  a  Presbytery  to  receive  and  prosecute  a 
case  arising  in  another  Presbytery;  nor  is  there  any  provision 
conferring  the  power  to  inflict  the  penal  sanction  of  law  upon  a 
member  of  Presbytery  by  any  Presbytery  except  that  to  whicn  he 
belongs. 

4.  We  are  of  the  opinion  that  an  expression  by  your  Reverend 
Body  of  the  right  or  necessity  of  such  change  of  venue  in  the 
trial  of  a  minister  of  the  Gospel,  would  give  to  the  world  a  hurtful 
want  of  confidence  in  the  character  and  integrity  of  the  ministers 
and  elders  of  our  denomination,  and  that  such  expression  would 
open  a  wide  door  for  designing  and  bad  men  to  elude  the  just  censures 
of  the  Church,  and  to  disregard  the  wholesome  restraints  of  dis- 
cipline. 


7^ HE  LA  M '  ST  A  TED.  wm 

5.  The  sancti'.n  of  such  interpretations  of  law  by  your  Reverend 
Body  would,  in  our  opinion,  be  a  departure  from  the  usages  of 
Presbyterianism    in   all    the   past   history   of   the    Church. 

We,  therefore,  recommend  that  you  answer  the  interrogatory  of 
the  memorialists  in  the  negative. — 1875,  pp.  30-33. 

J.  Appeals  must  be  regularly  brought. 

An  appeal  of  T.  J.  Simpson,  in  behalf  of  himself  and  the  Allegheny 
Presbytery,  complaining  of  aggrievance  in  a  decision  of  l^ennsylvania 
Synod,  whereby  a  judicial  decision  of  the  First  Cumberland  Presby- 
terian Church  in  Allegheny  City,  confirmed  by  the  Allegheny  Pres- 
bytery, was  reversed. 

Your  Commitiee  think  that  the  aggrievance  complained  of  is  wholly 
of  a  constitutional  nature,  and  we  are  of  opinion  that  the  Synod 
had  in  fact  no  legitimate  jurisdiction  of  the  case,  from  the  con- 
sideration that  the  action  of  the  Presbytery  was  not  brought 
regularly  before  them.     Adopted. — 18.32,  p.  30. 

Vour  Committee  find  that  questions  coming  from  a  lower  to  a 
higher  court  must  come  "by  general  review  and  control,  reference, 
appeal,  or  com.plaint."  They  are  of  opinion  that  the  paper  in  this 
case  comes  under  neither,  and  is,  therefore,  not  properly  before  this 
body.     Adopted.— 1884,   p.   19. 

Your  Committee  is  unanimously  of  the  opinion  that  the  General 
Assembly  cannot  take  cognizance  of  the  matters  presented  upon  the 
application  of  private  persons;  but  that  such  questions  must  come 
from  some  inferior  judicatory,  either  by  appeal  or  reference.  Adopted. 
—1874,  p.   17. 

The  Judiciary  Committee  have  before  them,  and  have  considered 
certain  interrogatives  propounded  by  the  Rev.  .1.  M.  Ragan,  of 
Chillicothe  Presbytery,  to  that  body,  and  by  the  Presbytery  referred 
to  this  General  Assembly:  and  a  deliverance  thereon  is  asked.  It 
does  not  appear  from  any  paper  before  this  Committee  or  otherwise 
that  any  case  involving  the  questions  proposed  has  arisen,  but  that 
the  questions  are  asked  with  reference  to  a  future  possible  state  of 
things. 

The  Committee  do  not  think  it  would  be  the  duty  of  this  body 
to  express  itself  in  advance  upon  matters  on  which  it  may  be  required 
to  sit  as  a  court  hereafter,  or  to  give  its  opinion  upon  questions 
which  may  never  arise.  "Sufficient  unto  the  day  is  the  evil  thereof." 
We  therefore  recommend  that  the  General  Assembly  respectfully 
decline  to  respond  to  the  said  interrogatives.  Adopted.— 1890,  p.  16. 
24 


370  PART  W.jnniCIAh'Y. 

In  the  matter  of  Rev.  C.  H.  Lincoln  against  Pennsylvania  Synod 
the  Judiciary  Committee  repoi'ts  as   follows: 

Our  Book  requires  that  in  cases  of  appeal  notice  shall  be  given 
in  writing,  to  the  Clerk  or  Moderator,  stating  the  grounds  on  which 
the  appeal  is  based,  and  this  must  be  done  during  the  sitting  of 
the  court,   or  within  ten  days  after  adjournment. 

In  the  case  before  us  notice  was  given  within  the  time  required, 
but  the  reasons  for  the  appeal  were  not  set  forth. 

Our  Book  also  requires  that  in  considering  appeals  it  is  the  duty 
of  the  appellate  court  first  to  determine  whether  the  case  has  been 
properly   and   lawfully   brought  up. 

In  view  of  the  plain  requirements  of  our  law,  the  Committee  report 
that  the  case  is  not  regularly  before  this  tribunal,  and  recommend 
that   it   be    dismissed.     Adopted.— 1896,    pp.    33,    34. 

2.  An  appeal  stays  action  until  the  higher  court  passes 

upon  it. 

Rri  Es  or  Disc  Ji'i.iM:,  Sections  80,  87. — The  effect  of  an  appeal  is 
to  arrest  sentence  until   the   matter  is  finally   decided. 

87.  If  the  infliction  of  the  sentence  of  suspension,  excommunication, 
or  deposition,  be  arrested  by  appeal,  the  judgment  appealed  from 
shall,  nevertheless,  be  considered  as  in  force  until  the  appeal  shall 
be  decided. 

"When  an  appeal  is  taken  and  filed  before  a  Church  court,  from 
an  action  or  decision  of  said  court,  does  such  appeal  stay  further 
action  in  the  court  until  the  question  is  decided  by  the  higher  court?'' 

The  Committee  unanimotisly  decide  that  it  does  stay  further  action 
until  a  decision  is  made  by  the  superior  court.  This  the  Assembly 
adopted. — 1S6G,   p.   51. 

3.  Notice  of  and  reasons  for  an  appeal  must  be  given 

Rules  of  Discii'line,  Sectio.ns  80,  87. — The  effect  of  an  appeal  is 
of  his  intention  to  appeal,  and  the  reasons  therefor,  in  writing,  to 
the  court  before  its  adjournment,  or  within  ten  days  thereafter  to 
the  Moderator  or  Clerk. 

In  this  case  it  appears  that  the  Synod  (Iowa)  dismissed  an  appeal 
taken  by  Rev.  Cyrus  Haynes  from  a  decision  of  the  Presbytery  of 
Des  Moines,  which  appeal  was  dismissed  on  the  ground  that  the 
appellant  did  not  present  to  the  Presbytery  his  reasons  for  the  appeal, 
in   writing,   which   failtire  is   admitted   by   the   appellant. 

We  therefore  recommend  that  you  affirm  the  decision  of  the  Synod 
and   dismiss   the   appeal.     Adopted. — 1862,    p.   62. 


THE  LA Jl '  S7\l TED.  371 

4.  Power  to  revive  an  appeal. 

^\'U^)eas,  Rev.  John  A.  Dewoody  comes  before  this  Assembly, 
praying  tiiat  his  appeal  from  ihe  Columbia  Synod  be  revived; 
therefore, 

Ri:yi,liT(l,  That  his  request  be  granted,  and  that  Columbia  Synod 
be   and   is   hereby   notified   of   the   fact.     Adopted. — 1849,   p.    28. 

5.  New  witnesses  introduced. 

Rules  of  Discu'i.i.m:,  SEtxioN  15. — When  cliarges  are  brought  before 
a  Church  court,  nothing  shall  be  done  at  that  meeting,  unless  by 
consent  of  the  parties,  except  to  appoint  a  prosecutor  and  order  the 
charges  reduced  to  writing,  if  not  already  done;  a  copy  of  which, 
with  ihe  witnesses  then  known  to  support  them,  shall  be  served  on 
the  accused,  and  to  cite  all  parties  and  their  witnesses  to  appear  and 
be  heard  at  another  meeting,  which  shall  not  be  sooner  than  ten 
days  after  citation. 

Can  the  judicatory  admit,  on  the  day  of  trial,  any  new  witnesses 
to  support  the  charges? 

Aiisirrr. — Either  party  may  introduce  witnesses  whose  names  may 
not  have  been  beiore  furnished,  the  judicatory  taking  care  that  no 
injustice  result  therefrom;  but  by  postponement  of  the  trial,  or  other- 
wise, allow  either  party  full  opportunity  to  i*itroduce  rebutting 
testimony.     Adopted.- — 1871,  p.   29. 

6.  What  if  the  accused  refused  to  appear? 

Rui.es  of  Disc'ifuink,  SEt  tio.ns  33,  38. — If  an  accused  person  fail  to 
appear  before  the  church  Session,  after  being  twice  duly  cited,  or 
shall  refuse  to  plead,  the  fact  and  the  nature  of  the  offense  charged 
shall  be  entered  upon  the  records,  and  the  accused  suspended  for  his 
contumacy.  This  sentence  may  be  made  public,  and  shall  not  be 
removed  until  he  has  repented  of  his  contumacy,  and  given  satisfaction 
in  relation  to  the  charges  against  him.  If  the  charge  be  one  of  gross 
crime  or  heresy,  the  court  may  proceed  to  inflict  the  highest  censure 
if  the  accused  persist  in  his  contumacy. 

38.  If  an  accused  minister,  having  been  twice  duly  cited,  refuse 
to  appear  before  the  Presbytery,  he  shall  be  suspended,  and  if,  after 
another  citation,  he  still  refuse  to  attend,  he  shall  be  deposed  as 
contumacious,  and  suspended  or  excommunicated  from  the  communion 
of  the  Church.  Record  must  be  made  of  the  judgment,  of  the  charges, 
and  of  the  sentence,  and  the  same  shall  be  made  public. 

If  the  accused  fails  or  refuses  to  attend,  can  the  judiciary  hear  and 
decide  the  case  in  his  absence,  after  due  citation? 
Arisircr. — They   can.     Adopted. — 1871,   p.   29. 


872  PAA'T  ]'.,JiDICIAKy. 

?♦  Accused  called  upon  to  say  w^hether  he  is  guilty. 

Rui.Ks  OF  Discu'Li.NK,  Skitiox  15. — At  this  second  meeting  ot  the 
court,  the  charges  shall  be  read  to  the  accused,  If  present,  and  he  shall 
be  called  upon  to  say  whether  he  is  guilty  or  not.  If  he  confess, 
the  cotirt  may  deal  with  him  according  to  its  discretion:  if  he  plead 
and  take  issue,  the  trial  shall  proceed.  Accused  parties  may  plead 
in  writing  when  they  cannot  be  present,  and  parties  necessarily 
absent    should    have    counsel    assigned    to    them. 

11.    THE    LAW    APPLIED. 

I.  The  memorials  of  Rev.  and  Mrs.  F.  C.  Usher. 

The  Assembly  adopted  the  following  report: 

Your  Committee,  to  whom  were  referred  the  memorials  of  Brother 
Usher  and  Sister  Usher,  would  beg  leave  to  report: 

That  they  have  examined  said  memorials  and  accompanying  papers, 
and  are  of  the  opinion  that  the  prayer  of  the  memorialists  cannot  be 
granted. 

First.  As  to  the  case  of  Sister  Tosher,  there  was  no  regular  appeal 
from  the  final  decision  of  the  church  Session.  They  are  of  the 
opinion  that  the  instructions  given  by  Hopewell  Presbytery  to  the 
Session  in  relation  to  the  case  of  Mrs.  Usher,  were  unobjectionable  and 
not  a  subject  of  appeal,  having  decided  no  point  of  law  or  fact  in 
the  case;  the  Synod  v.as,  therefore,  right  in  dismissing  the  appeal. 
The  case  should  have  taken  the  regular  course,  by  appeals  or 
memorials  from  the  church  Session,  through  the  intermediate  judica- 
tories of  the  Church,   to  this  body. 

Secondly.  The  Committee  are  of  the  opinion  that  this  body  have 
no  jurisdiction  in  the  case  of  Brother  ITsher,  because  his  case  is  yet 
pending,  according  to  statements,  before  Presbytery.  The  charge  that 
justice  cannot  be  obtained  in  his  case  or  that  of  Mrs.  Usher,,  before 
the  inferior  judicatories  of  the  Church,  cannot  be  presumed  or  enter- 
tained  by   this   body. 

The  Committee  have  come  to  no  conclusions  on  the  facts  or  the 
merits  in  either  case,  not  considering  the  cases  properly  before  them, 
as  before  stated. 

The  Committee  recommend  the  adoption  of  the  following  resolution: 

1.  L'lsiilrrd,  That  this  General  Assembly  has  no  jurisdiction  of  the 
cases  above  referred  to,  and  that  the  papers  be  returned  to  the 
memorialists  if  desired. 

2.  Jfcsolrid,  That  it  be  recommended  to  the  inferior  jtidicatories 
having  charge  of  said  cases,  and  the  parties  concerned,  to  approach 
the  cases  v;ith  mutual  charity  and  forbearance,  and  to  produce 
reconciliation  and  harniony  if  practicable. — 1S.50,  p.   30. 


THE  LA  W  APPLIED.  37:! 

2.  The  memorial  of  Rev.  Harrison  Whitson. 

Your  Committee  have  attended  to  the  business  assigned  them,  and 
ask  leave  to  report, 

That  they  have  had  before  them  a  memorial  from  Harrison  Whitson, 
of  the  Colorado  Presbytery,  in  which  he  complains  that  he  had  been 
tried  on  certain  charges  and  deposed  from  the  Gospel  ministry  con- 
trary to  the  laws  and  regulations  of  our  Church.  By  reference  to 
the  Assembly's  Minutes  for  1851,  it  will  be  seen  that  the  doings 
of  tho  Colorado  Presbytery  were  thought  to  be  defective  in  this  case 
by  the  Brazos  Synod,  and  it  remanded  the  business  baclv  to  the 
Presbytery  for  a  reconsideration.  The  Presbytery  appealed  from  the 
action  of  the  Synod  to  the  General  Assembly,  where  the  action  of 
the  latter  was  reversed  and  that  of  the  former  approved  and  con-^ 
firmed.  The  appellant  claims  that  he  had  no  knowledge  that  the 
Presbytery  had  referred  the  matter  in  dispute  between  him  and  the 
Synod  to  the  Assembly,  until  his  condemnation  was  sealed.  He 
moreover  complains  that  he  was  cited  to  appear  before  the  Presbytery 
for  tiial  and  it  failed  to  meet  at  the  time;  but,  at  a  meeting  several 
month.s  after,  it  met  and  deposed  him,  without  either  his  presence 
or  knowledge,  and  that  by  no  effort  has  he  been  able  to  obtain  a 
copy  of  the  proceedings  in  the  case.  Your  Committee  are  persuaded 
that  the  proceedings  of  the  Colorado  Presbytery  in  this  case  were 
defectiA^e,  from  the  fact  that  the  Synod  disapproved  thereof  and 
ordered  a  new  trial  for  reasons  which  lo  them  appeared  good.  This 
taken  in  connection  with  what  the  memorialist  sets  forth  makes 
it  the  more  manifest  that  the  Presbytery  erred  in  this  affair.  Adopted. 
—1853,   pp.    50,    ."1. 

3,  The  appeal  of  Mr.  Henry  Craft. 

The  Committee  on  .Judiciary  submitted  the  following  report,  which 
was  adopted: 

Your  Committee  on  .Judiciary  have  had  referred  to  them  the  minutes 
of  West  Tennessee  Synod  and  accompanying  documents  so  far  as  they 
relate  to  the  appeal  of  Henry  Craft  from  the  action  of  that  body. 
The  facts,  so  far  as  material  to  the  determination  of  this  appeal,  are 
as  follows: 

A  disagreement  seems  to  have  grown  ap  between  the  Rev.  H.  A. 
.Jones,  pastor  of  the  First  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church  of  Memphis, 
lenn.,  and  Elder  W.  R.  Stewart,  Clerk  of  the  Session  of  that  Church. 
The  nature  of  the  controversy  is  not  known  to  us,  and  is  not  deemed 
material.  A  meeting  of  the  Session  was  called  for  August  3,  1885,  to 
consider  these  differences,  of  which  meeting  the  appellant  had  notice, 
but  which  he  did  not  choose  to  attend.  The  minute.%  of  this  meeting 
contain  a  historical  r-tatement  of  unusual  things  said  and  done  by  one 


:;74  PART  ]\,  jrpiCIAA'Y. 

or  mote  meml'ers  of  the  Ssssion.  A  second  called  meeting  of  the 
Session  was  held  on  August  11,  1885,  at  which  the  appellant  was  not 
present,  and  a  third  called  meeting  on  September  8,  1885,  at  which 
he  was  present,  and  presented  a  protest  "as  to  th3  substance  and  form 
of  the  minutes  of  August  3,  1S85,  which  he  asked  to  be  spread  upon 
the  minutes."  Motion  was  made  that  the  protest  be  received  and 
recorded,  and  the  vote  was  taken  thereon  There  were  five  elders  and 
the  Moderator  piesent.  Upon  taking  the  vote  there  were  three  elders 
voting  in  the  afRrmativje,  and  two  elders  and  the  Moderator  voting  in 
the  negative,  whereupon  the  Moderator  declared  the  motion  lost.  "The 
Moderator  gave  as  his  reason  for  voting  that  Mr.  Craft  v>^as  voluntarily 
absent  from  the  meeting  of  August  3,  1885,  and  had  not  the  right 
to  protest."  Elder  Craft  objected  to  the  Moderator's  voting.  F'rom 
this  action  of  the  Session  refusing  to  enter  his  protest  on  tlie  minutes. 
Elder  Craft  appealed  to  the  Presbytery.  The  Presbytery  affirmed  the 
action  of  the  Session,  and  upon  appeal  the  Synod  affirmed  the  action 
of  the  Presbytery. 

It  is  not  claimed  that  the  protesu  was  not  temperate  and  respectful 
in  language,  and  it  is  to  be  regretted  that  the  Church  courts  have 
not  been  spared  this  protracted  controversy  by  the  waiving  of  a  tech- 
nicality and  permitting  so  harmless  a  thing  as  the  entering  of  this 
protest.  The  appeal  is  before  your  Reverend  Body,  and  must  be  dis- 
poseil  of.     The  questions  for  determination  are: 

1.  Did  the  appellant,  not  being  present  at  the  meeting  when  the 
action  protested  against  was  taken,  have  the  right  to  enter  the  protest 
at  a  subsequent  meeting?  We  recommend  that  you  decide  this  ques- 
tion in  the  negative.  The  Rules  of  Discipline,  Sec.  93,  recognize  the 
right  of  "a  minority"  to  protest  "against  the  action  of  the  majority." 
It  would  seem  that  a  member  not  present  at  the  meeting,  and  hence 
not  voting,  could  not  be  in  any  sense  considered  as  one  of  the  minority. 
The  reasons  for  protesting,  it  would  seem,  also,  do  not  apply  to  him. 
The  right  of  protest  would  seem  to  belong  only  to  those  who  by  their 
presence  and  votes  had  resisted  the  action  of  the  majority,  and  to 
whom,  without  such  protest,  such  action  might  by  some  possibility 
be  in  part  imputed.  We  therefore  think  the  right  is  not  possessed  by 
an  absent  member. 

2.  Asstiming  that  we  are  in  error  as  to  the  question  above  stated, 
was  a  motion  affirmatively  carried  necessary  to  tne  entry  of  the 
protest  on  the  minutes?  We  hold  that  the  assent  of  the  court,  by 
motion  or  otherwise,  is  necessary.  In  this  case  motion  was  resorted 
to  without  objection,  and  we  recommend  that  you  answer  the  question 
in  the  affirmative.  See.  94  of  the  Rules  of  Discipline  makes  it  im- 
perative on  the  Church  court  to  record  the  protest,  provided  it  is 
cotiched  in  temperate  language  and  be  respectful  to  the  cotirt;  but 
as  the  court  must  determine  whether  or  not  the  applicant  belongs  to 
the    class    entitled    to    protest,    and    whether    or    not    the    language    is 


THE  LA  U  ■  APJ'LIED.  375 

temperate  and  respectful,  we  think  the  Clerk  has  no  right  to  enter  it 
until  so  ordered  by  the  court. 

3.  Did  the  Moderator  have  the  right  to  vote  on  the  question  as 
to  whether  the  protest  should  be  entered  or  not?  W©  recommend 
that  this  be  answered  in  the  affirmative.  It  is  clearly  settled  by  Sec. 
13  of  the  Rules  of  Order. 

4.  Finally,  we  recommend  that  the  decision  of  the  Synod  be 
affirmed. 

Mi.\ui;iTV   Repout. 

Ruling  Elder  John  M.  Gaut,  Chairman  of  the  Committee  on  Judiciary, 
made  the  following  Minority  Report,  in  connection  with  the  fore- 
going, and  permission  was  granted  that  it  be  spread  upon  the  Minutes: 

Agreeing  with  the  majority  of  the  Committee,  as  to  the  answers  to 
the  second  and  third  questions,  I  disagree  with  them  as  to  the  first,  and 
recommend  that  you  answer  it  in  the  affirmative. 

The  right  of  protest  is  only  the  right  to  dissent  from  the  action 
of  a  majority,  is  the  last  feeble  resort  of  those  dissatisfied  with  that 
action,  is  harmless  in  its  nature,  and  the  law  giving  it  should  be  con- 
strued liberally.  In  all  doubtful  cases  the  construction  should  be  in  its 
favor  rather  than  against  it.  Cases  may  occur  in  which  unexpected  ac- 
tion is  taken  by  a  body  against  which  the  right  to  protest  is  more  val- 
uable to  an  absent  member  than  to  one  who  was  present  and  voted 
against  the  action.  All  things  considered,  I  think  it  would  be  con- 
trary to  the  spirit  of  the  law  giving  the  right,  to  confine  it  to  members 
present.  As  an  affirmative  answer  to  the  first  question  would  result  in 
a  reversal  of  the  decision  of  the  inferior  courts,  I  do  not  concur  in  the 
recommendation  of  the  majority,  but  recommend  that  those  decisions 
be  reversed,  and  that  the  session  be  instructed  to  enter  the  protest  on 
the  Minutes.— 18S6,  pp.  42-44. 

4.  The  appeal  of  Mrs.  Louisa  A.  Ward. 

The  Judiciary  Committee,  to  which  was  referred  the  case  of  Mrs. 
Louisa  A.  Ward,  report  the  following: 

Mrs.  Ward  was  charged  with  heresy,  before  the  Session  of  the  Cum- 
berland Presbyterian  Church  cf  Kansas  City,  Mo.,  and  was  found 
guilty,  and  was  excommunicated.  She  appealed  to  the  Presbytery,  it 
being  the  Lexington  Presbytery  of  said  Church,  which  body  affirmed 
the   judgment  of   the   Session. 

From  the  Presbytery  she  appealed  to  the  Missouri  Synod,  and  there 
the  judgment  of  the  Presbytery  was  affirmed. 

She  now  appeals  to  this  General  Assembly  from  the  action  of  the 
Synod. 

It  appears  that  the  specification  of  heresy  in  the  charge  consists  in 
the  fact  that   the   appellant  stated   to   divers   persons   and   taught   that 


376  PART  W,  JCDICIAKY. 

one  George  J.  Scliweiiifuitii,  ix.  mau  living  in  Rockrord,  111.,  is  ilie 
Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

The  record  shows  thaL  the  appellant  admitted  the  truth  of  the  charge 
in  the  presence  of  the  Session,  and  persists  in  asserting  the  statement. 

The  Committee  have  carefully  examined  tlie  record,  and  find  that 
the  law  of  the  Church  has  been  substantially  complied  with  by  all  of 
the  Churcli  courts  which  have  had  tlie  case  before  them,  and  there- 
fore recommend  that  the  judgment  of  tlie  Missouri  Synod  be  in  all 
things  affirmed.     Adopted.— 1890,  p.  16. 

5.  The  appeal  of  Rev.  D.  T.  Waynick. 

The  Assembly  adopted  the   following  report: 

The  Committee  on  Judiciary,  to  whom  was  referred  the  appeal  of 
Rev.  D.  T.  Waynick  against  the  action  of  the  Synod  of  Tennessee,  have 
considei'ed  the  same,  and  respectfully  report: 

We  find  the  following  to  be  the  facts  giving  rise  to  this  con- 
troversy : 

At  the  Spring  meeting,  March,  1889,  of  jNlemphis  Presbytery,  a  com- 
munication was  presented  from  a.  member  of  the  First  Cumberland 
Presbyterian  Church,  Memphis,  addressed  to  the  Presbytery,  the 
reading  of  which  was  commenced,  withotit  objection;  and  when  the 
first  page  thereof  had  been  read,  an  objection  was  made  to  the  paper, 
upon  the  ground  that  it  was  not  in  order,  and  thereupon  the  Moderator 
declared  the  paper  out  of  order,  the  reading  ceased,  and  no  further 
notice  of  the  paper  was  taken. 

Against  this  action  of  tlie  Moderator,  I5rother  Waynick  entered  a 
protest. 

At  the  next  meeting  of  the  Presbytery  September.  1889,  an  answer 
to   said   protest   was   entered    tipon    the   mintttes   of   said   Presbytery. 

At  the  meeting  of  the  Synod  of  Tennessee,  October,  ]899,  the  action 
of  the  Moderator  and  of  the  Presbytery,  in  making  answer  to  the 
protest,  was  sustained  by  the  Synod,  and  from  this  a^non  Brother 
Waynick  presented  an  appeal  to  the  General  Assembly. 

The  first  question  presented  for  consideration  is:  Wa.;  the  action 
of  the  Moderator  correct,  in  ruling  that  said  communication  was  out 
of  order? 

The  reasons  for  this  ruling,  as  stated  in  the  answer  to  the  protest, 
are: 

1.  Said  paper  was  not  a  commtmication  addressed  to  the  Memphis 
Presbytery,  but  in  an  envelope  addressed  personally  to  a  member  of 
the  same. 

Although  inclosed  in  an  envelope  addressed  to  a  member,  the  paper, 
as  already  stated,  Avas  addressed  to  the  Presbytery   in   proper  form. 

2.  It  purported  to  he  a  memorial  from  a  member  of  the  First  Cum- 
berland   Presbyterian   Church.    Memphis,     but    was     sent    without   the 


THE  LAW  APPLIED.  1)77 

knov.iedge  of  its  church  Session,  or  any  notice  having  been  given  them 
of  sucli  intended  action. 

We  are  not  aware  of  any  rule  requiring  such  notice,  and  are  of 
opinion  that  none  was  necessary. 

3.  Said  paper  v.-as  not  regularly  brought  before  the  Presbytery,  as 
stated  in  the  protest,  but  was  placed  upon  the  Clerk's  table  during 
his  absence,   and  without  his   knowledge   as  to  how   it   came   there. 

We  do  not  think  this  point  well  taken.  The  Clerk  made  no 
objection,  but  recognized  the  paper  as  properly  in  his  possession,  and 
the  reading  of  the  same  was  commenced  by  a  member  at  his  request. 

4.  No  appeal  was  taken  at  the  time  from  the  ruling  of  the  Moderator. 
We  are  of  opinion  that  the  question  could  be  properly  presented  to 

the  Synod  by  protest;  and  that  while  an  appeal  might  have  been 
taken,  it  was  not  necessary  to  do  so  in  order  to  give  the  Synod  juris- 
diction, as  this  could  be  done  by  entering  a  protest,  as  was  done  in 
this  case. 

The  paper  in  question,  so  far  as  the  same  was  read,  showed  it  to 
be  a  communication,  addressed  to  the  Presbytery,  representing  that 
"the  undersigned"  was  a  member  of  the  First  Cumberland  Presby- 
terian Church,  Memphis;  that  he  came  before  the  Presbytery  seek- 
ing justice;  that  he  had  been  served  with  a  copy  of  a  preamble  and 
resolution  adopted  by  the  church  Session  of  said  church,  in  which 
he  was  accused  of  grave  delinquencies  as  a  member  and  officer  of  said 
church. 

When  so  much  of  said  paper  had  been  read,  some  member  objected 
to  it  as  out  of  order,  and  the  Ivloderator  so  ruled.  The  remaining 
portion  of  the  paper  was  not  read,  so  that  the  Presbytery  might  see 
what  action  had  been  taken  by  the  church  Session,  if  any,  nor  what 
the  author  desired  the  Presbytery  to  do. 

The  paper  is  respectful  throtighout,  and,  if  the  reading  had  pro- 
ceeded, it  would  have  appeared  that  it  asked  the  Presbytery,  in  cour- 
teous terms,  to  order  the  church  Session  to  take  some  action  upon 
the  charges,  the  truth  of  which  he  denied,  seven  months  having 
elapsed,  and  nothing  having  been  done  by  the  church  Session  to  bring 
the  matter  to  an  isstie. 

We  are  of  opinion  that  the  communication  presented  proper  matter 
for  the  consideration  of  the  Presbytery,  that  it  was  neither  irrelevant 
nor  otherwise  out  of  order,  and  that,  therefore,  the  ruling  of  the 
Moderator   complained   of  was   erroneous. 

It  is  proper  to  say  that  it  appears,  from  the  action  of  the  Synod, 
that  all  the  facts  in  the  case  were  not  before  that  body,  and,  in 
reporting,  as  we  do,  that  the  Synod  was  in  error  in  sustaining  said 
ruling,   this   explanation   is   made   in   justice   to   that  court. 

The  next  question  presented  for  consideration  is:  Was  it  proper 
for  the  Presbytery,  at  a  subsequent  meeting  and  in  the  absence  of 
the  protestant,  to  enter  upon  its  minutes  an  answer  to  the  protest? 


378  PART  ] '. ,  JUDICIAR i '. 

The  General  Assembly  has  decided  (See  Aiinutes,  1886,  p.  43)  that  a 
member  of  a  church  Session  could  not,  at  a  subsequent  meeting, 
protest  against  the  action  of  the  church  Session  liad  at  a  meeting  at 
which  he  was  not  present.  We  should  hold  otherwise  but  for  that 
decision.  Yielding  to  its  authority,  and  being  of  opinion  that  the 
I'ight  to  put  an  answer  on  the  record  to  a  protest  stands  upon  the 
same  ground  as  the  right  to  protest,  that  the  reason  for  the  decision 
just  stated  applies  with  much  greater  force  to  the  higher  courts  than 
to  the  church  Session,  we  report  that  il  was  an  error  in  the  Synod 
to  sustain  the  Presbytery  on  this  point. 

.Upon  the  whole  case,  we  are  of  opinion  that  the  appeal  should 
be  sustained,  and  the  action  of  the  Synod  reversed. — 1S9U,  pp.  IS, 
19. 

6.  The  appeal  of  Mr.  D.  E.  Wood. 

The  Committee  on  .Judiciary  respectfully  report  that  thej^  have 
examined  the  record  in  the  case  of  D.  E.  Wood,  appellant  from  the 
decision  of  the  Synod  of  Missouri. 

This  is  an  appeal  by  D.  E.  Wood,  a  member  of  Ozark  Congregation- 
of  Ozark  Presbytery,  from  a  deliverance  by  the  Synod  of  Missouri. 

Charges  of  profanity  were  preferred  against  D.  E.  Wood  before  the 
church  Session  of  Ozark  Congregation,  and  a  finding  was  made  by 
tlie  church  Session  sustaining  tlie  charges. 

The  appellant  prosecuted  his  appeal  to  the  Ozark  Presbytery,  by 
which  the  finding  of  the  Session  was  sustained,  and  from  the  Pres- 
bytery he  prosecuted  his  appeal  to  the  Synod  of  Missouri. 

The  finding  of  the  Pi'esbytery  was  sustained  by  the  Synod.  The 
case   is    before    you    upon    the    appeal    from    the    Synod. 

The  Committee  on  Judiciary,  after  an  examination  of  the  evi- 
dence and  proceedings  in  this  case,  find  that  no  injustice  has  been 
done  the  appellant  in  the  proceedings  of  the  various  Church  courts, 
that  the  proceedings  are  regular,  and  that  the  evidence  sustains  the 
charges  made  in  the  first  instance,  and  we  therefore  recommend  that 
the  action  of  the  Synod  be  sustained.     Adopted. — 1892,  p.  20. 

7.  The  appeal  of  Rev.  R.  R.  Crockett. 

The  Committee  on  Judiciary  have  considered  the  appeal  of  Rev.  R. 
R.   Crockett  from  the  action  of  Texas   Synod. 

It  appears  that  for  some  years  Larissa  Church,  under  the  care  of 
Trinity  Presbytery,  had  two  places  of  worship,  one  at  Larissa  in  a 
church  house  belonging  to  said  church,  and  the  other  at  Mt.  Selman 
in  a  school  house.  After  a  while  the  church  Session  attempted  to 
remove   the   church   to   Mt.    Selman    and,    as    it   is   claimed,    did    sc    by 


THE  LA  n '  APPLIED.  :579 

consent;  the  church  house  at  Larissa  was  sold  and  the  records  and 
books  and  other  property  transferred  to  iVit.  Selman,  where  the  con- 
gregation continued  to  worship  under,  the  name  of  Larissa  Church. 

Some  disaffection  growing  up,  the  question  was  carried  to  the 
Presbytery  and  it  decided  that  Larissa  Congregation  did  not  then 
exist  at  Larissa,  and  tlie  name  was  subsequently  changed  to  Mt.  Selman. 
In  the  meantime  about  twenty  of  tlie  members  withdrew  by  letter 
and  joined  tlie  Alpine  Church,  in  the  neighborhood.  Matters  thus 
remained  until  the  meeting  of  the  Presbytery,  July,  1S91,  when  an 
order  was  made  permitting  the  members  of  Alpine  Congregation  who 
had  formerly  belonged  to  Larissa  Church  to  withdraw,  and  "re- 
establish" themselves  as  a  Congregation  at  Larissa  under  the  name 
of  Larissa  Church. 

This  having  been  done,  the  question  arose  as  to  whether  the 
Larissa  organization  was  entitled  to  the  day  of  worship,  one  Sunday 
in  lire  month,  formerly  used  by  the  Larissa  Church,  and  to  a  part 
of  the  property  turned  over  to  the  church  at  ML.  Selman.  The  ques- 
tion being  considered  by  the  Presbytery  it  decided  thai  the  Larissa 
orgairization  was  entitled  to  the  day  of  worship,  the  church  records, 
and  one  half,  in  value,  of  the  property  turned  over  to  the  Mt.  Selman 
organlzatioir. 

From  this  action  an  appeal  was  taken  to  the  Synod,  and  the  appeal 
not  having  been  properly  prosecuted  was  dismissed  or  not  considered. 
The  Synod,  however,  did  take  jurisdiction  under  the  power  of  review, 
and  in  reviewing  the  minutes  of  the  Presbytery  the  Synodical  Com- 
mittee  recommended   that   the   action   of   the   Presbytery   be   reversed. 

Upon  consideration  of  this  report  in  the  Synod,  an  amendment  to 
the  report  having  been  offered  sustaining  the  action  of  the  Presbytery, 
"a  motion  prevailed  to  table  the  report  indefinitely."  as  is  stated  in 
the  record.  The  substance  of  this  action  was  to  postpone  indefinitely 
the  report  and  thus  sustain  and  leave  in  force  the  action  of  the 
Presbytery  of  which  complaint  is  made. 

From  this  action  of  the  Synod  an  appeal  is  prosecuted  to  the 
General  A-isembly.  Was  the  action  of  the  Presbytery  thus  left  in 
force  right  and  proper  under  the  circumstances? 

We  are  of  opinion  that  upon  withdrawing  from  the  Larissa  Church 
at  ]\It.  Selman,  the  removal  to  that  point  having  been  approved  by 
the  Presbytery,  the  members  lost  all  rights  as  members  of  the 
Larissa  Church  whether  the  same  is  to  be  considered  as  located  at 
that  time  at  Larissa  or  Mt.  Selman.  That  having  thus  lost  their 
rights,  the  subsequent  action  of  Presbytery  authorizing  them  to  re- 
establish themselves  as  a  church  at  Larissa  could  not  and  did  not 
restore  any  of  the  rights  thus  lost  as  against  those  who  had  secured 
vested  rights  in  the   property,   etc.,   in   question. 

Therefore,  that  the  action  of  the  Presbytery  giving  them  the  day 
of  worship,  the  church  records,  and  one  half  in  valr.e  of  the  property 


3S0  J 'ART  v.,  JUDICIARY. 

was  erroneous  and  should  Lave  been  reversed  and  set  aside  by  the 
Synod,  and  that  it  was  an  error  in  the  Synod  not  to  have  done  so, 
and  hence  we  recommend  that  the  appeal  be  sustained  and  that 
the  action  of  Presbytery  be  set  aside.     Adopted. — 1893,  p.  32. 

8.  The  complaint  of  Rev.  E.  T.  Bowers. 

The  Committee  on  Judiciary  presented  their  report,  whicii  was 
adopted,  and  is  as  follows: 

The  Committee  on  Judiciary  have  carefully  considered  the  complaint 
of  Rev.  E.  T.  Bowers  against  the  action  of  the  Synod  of  Missouri,  and 
report    thereon    as    follows: 

At  the  meeting  of  Lexington  Presbytery,  October  1,  1892,  the  fol- 
lowing preamble   and   resolution   were   adopted: 

llV/crcft.s,  The  Session  of  the  Kansas  City  Congregation  of  the 
Ctimberland  Presbyterian  Church,  on  October  20,  1891,  did  charge  the 
Rev.  E.  T.  Bowers  with  gross  immorality  and  conduct  unbecoming  a 
minister  of  the  Gospel:   and 

Vi'hvvius,  On  November  4,  1891,  the  Presbytery  met  in  Kansas  City 
and  having  patiently  heard  the  evidence,  lor  and  against  the  said 
charges,  and  the  pleadings  of  the  prosecution  and  defense,  did  sustain 
the  charge  made  by  said  Session:   and 

H7/r/Tf/.v,  Said  Presbytery  did  by  vote  suspend  the  said  Bowers  from 
all  the  functions  of  the  Gospel  ministry  indefinitely,  or  at  the  pleasure 
or  will  of  the  court;    and 

U7/c/7f/.s-,  The  suspen.iion  has  been  in  force  for  nearly  eleven  months, 
thus   vindicating  the   law  and   good  government;    and 

UV/cyrY/.v,  During  all  this  time  the  said  Bowers"  conduct  has  l)een 
that  of  a  Christian  gentleman;   therefore, 

J'c-ii/lrcd,  That  the  suspension  of  said  Rev.  E.  T.  Bowers  now 
terminate,  and  that  he  be  restored  to  all  the  ftmctions  of  the  Gospel 
ministry,  from  which  he  was  and  is  now  suspended. 

The  vote  adopting  this  preamble  and  resolution  was:  Ministers  19 
and  ruling  elders  29,  altogether  48  for;  and  ministers  11  and  ruling 
elders  6,  altogether  17  against. 

From  this  action  an  appeal  was  prosectited  to  the  Synod  of  Mis- 
souri, and  on  October  13,  1892,  the  matter  was  disposed  of  by  the 
Synod  by  the  adoption  of  the  following  report,  signed  by  two  members 
of  the  Committee  on  Judiciary: 

Your  Committee  have  careftilly  examined  the  grotmds  of  the  appeal 
from  Lexington  Presbytery,  made  by  Rev.  L.  F.  L.  Clemens,  touching 
the  action  and  decision  of  said  Presbytery  at  its  recent  session,  where- 
in it  restored  the  Rev.  E.  T.  Bowers  to  the  office  and  functions  of  the- 
Gospel  ministry.  Your  Committee  have  not  challenged  the  regularity 
of  tne  appeal. 

—'.,.  •  ,-rio"c;f-ned  members  of  the  committee  re:iort  the   following: 


THE  LAW  API'LIFJ).  381 

Section  o'J  ol  the  Discipline  of  our  Cliurcli  requires  that  "the  court 
shall  be  satislied  as  to  the  i-eality  of  the  repentance  of  an  offender" 
before  he  can  be  restored.  The  first  count  in  the  appeal  is  that  Rev. 
E.  T.  Bowers,  who  was  suspended  by  an  action  of  Lexington  Presby- 
tei-y  Kovember  4,  1891,  was  restored  by  the  same  Presbytery  October 
1,  1S92,  "without  repentance."  The  records  of  the  Presbytery  show 
that  Rev.  Dr.  Bowers  gave  no  evidence  of  repentance,  but  at  said 
session  in  his  request  for  restoration  denies  that  he  was  guilty  as  had 
been  charged.  We  therefore  believe  that  this  ground  of  appeal  was 
well  taken  and  recommend  that  the  action  of  the  Presbytery  be 
reverted. 

The  complaint  presents  several  grounds  upon  whicii  a  reversal 
of  tho  action  of  the  Synod  is  asked,  among  them  the  following: 

1.  It  is  insisted  that  the  pai'ty  appealing  to  the  Synod  had  no  right 
to  do  so,  because  it  is  said  he  was  not  a  party  to  the  cause,  and 
Sections.  SO  and  81  of  the  Rules  of  Discipline  are  referred  to  in  support 
of  this  position. 

2.  That  the  interpretation  placed  upon  Section  59  of  the  Rules 
of  Discipline  by  the  Synod  was  too  literal  and  stringent  and  was 
erroneous;  that  in  the  matter  of  restoration  the  Presbytery  may  ex- 
ercise its  discretion  and  for  any  sufficient  reason  other  than  repent- 
ance may  restore. 

■\Ve  notice  these  two  only,  as  we  are  of  opinion  that  the  case  must 
turn  upon  their  determination. 

I  poll  the  case  as  thus  presented  we  are  of  opinion — 

1.  That  the  right  of  appeal  i.-;  confined  by  Section  SO  of  the  Rules 
of  Discipline  to  "either  ol  the  parties  of  the  proceedings,"  and  that 
the  proper  remedy  to  have  been  purstied  by  a  member  of  Lexington 
Presbytery  to  bring  the  matter  properly  before  the  Synod  was  by 
complaint,  as  provided  for  in  Section  89  of  the  Rules  of  Discipline. 

2.  Although  not  so  stated,  yet  the  Synod  may  have  properly  regarded 
what  Avas  called  an  appeal  as  in  fact  a  complaint,  and  for  this  reason 
we  have  considered  the  second  ground  of  complaint  and  are  of  opinion 
that  a  Church  court  may  restore,  in  the  exercise  of  a  sound  discretion, 
for  any  sufficient  reason  other  than  repentance  of  the  offender.  For 
example,  if  satisfied  that  the  accused  Avere  innocent,  either  from  newly 
discovered  testimony  or  other  good  reason,  it  may  restore.  If  satisfied 
that  the  punishment  has  been  sufficient,  then  it  may  restore;  and, 
generallj%  it  may  restore  whenever  any  good  reiison,  in  its  opinion, 
exists  for  so  doing.  The  provisions  of  Section  59  of  the  Rules  of 
Discipline  are  for  the  ordinary  cases  which  arise  and  are  based  upon 
the  presumption  that  the  party  was  guilty,  and  that  the  reason  for 
restoration  is  the  repentance  of  the  offended. 

AVe,  therefore,  recommend  that  the  action  of  the  Synod  of  Missouri, 
in  this  case,  October  1.3,  1892,  be  reversed  and  set  aside,  the  action  of 
Lexington   Presbytery,   October   1,   1892,   be   declared   in   full   force   and 


:;S2  r'ART  /'.,  JCniCIARY. 

effect:    and    that   Kev.   E.   T.    Bowers   was   thereby    restored    to  all    the 
rights  and  privileges  of  a  Gospel  minister. — 1893,   pp.  21,  22. 

9.  The  appeal  of  D.  T.  Waynick  and  others. 

The  following  was  adopted: 

In  the  matter  of  the  appeal  of  Rev.  D.  T.  Waynick  and  others, 
against  the  action  of  the  Synod  of  Tennessee,  in  the  matter  of  the 
election  of  Rev.  J.  H.  W.  Jones  as  a  commissioner  to  the  General 
Assembly  of  1893,  by  Obion  Presbytery,  in  the  Synod  of  Tennessee, 
your  Judiciary  Committee  desire  to  submit  the  following  report: 

At  the  meeting  of  Obion  Presbytery,  in  March,  1893,  Rev.  J.  H.  W. 
Jones  was  elected  a  commissioner,  on  the  part  of  the  ministry,  to 
the  General  Assembly,  at  Little  Rock,  Ark.  After  the  adjournment 
of  the  Presbytery,  the  Moderator,  Rev.  J.  A.  McDonald,  entertaining 
conscientious  scruples  as  to  the  eligibility  of  Rev.  J.  H.  W.  Jones  to 
serve  as  such  commissioner,  on  the  alleged  ground  Ihau  said  Jones  lived 
in  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  outside  of  the  bounds  of  the  Presbytery,  declined  to 
sign  his  credentials  as  such  commissioner. 

Thereupon  by  proper  proceedings  a  called  meeting  of  the  Presbytery 
was  had  for  the  purpose  of  considering  the  former  action  of  the  Pres- 
bytery in  electing  said  Jones.  At  this  special  meeting  of  Presbytery, 
held  at  Rives,  Obion  County,  Tenn.,  March  30,  1893,  the  former  action 
of  the  Presbytery,  in  electing  said  Jones,  was  ratified  and  the  Mod- 
erator directed  to-  sign  the  credentials  of  Rev.  J.  H.  \\ .  Jones  as  such 
commissioner.  From  this  action  of  Presbytery,  Ruling  Elder  T.  J. 
Latimer  prayed  and  obtained  an  appeal  to  the  next  session  of  the 
Synod  of  Tennessee.  The  Moderator,  Rev.  J.  A.  McDonald,  declined 
to  sign  the  credentials,  as  ordered,  and  I'esigned  as  Moderator,  and 
Rev.  S.  H.  Braly  was  elected  Moderator  and  signed  the  credentials. 
To  this  action  Ruling  Elder  T.  J.  Latimer  and  Rev.  J.  A.  McDonald 
entered  a  protest.  Pending  the  appeal  to  the  Synod  of  Tennessee, 
before  the  Synod  acted  thereon.  Rev.  J.  H.  W.  Jones,  as  such  com- 
missioner, appeared  in  the  General  Assembly,  at  Little  Rock,  Ark., 
and  presented  his  credentials  as  a  commisp.ioner  representing  Obion 
Presbytery  on  the  part  of  the  ministry.  Objection  was  made  to  his 
being  seated  and  the  attention  of  the  General  Assembly  called  to  the 
protest.  The  General  Assembly,  having  full  jurisdiction  of  the  ques- 
tion of  the  eligibility  of  its  own  members,  decided  that  the  Rev.  J. 
H.  W.  Jones  was  entitled  to  his  seat  as  such  commissioner  in  the 
General  Assembly,  and  seated  him,  and  he  served  as  a  member  of 
said  General  Assembly. 

At  the  meeting  of  the  Synod  of  Tennessee,  in  October,  1S93,  the 
Synod  decided  that  the  action  of  the  Obion  Presbytery  in  electing  Rev. 
J.  H.  W.  Jones,  as  such  commissioner,  was  irregular  and  erroneous. 
From  this  action  of  the  Synod,  Revs.  D.  T.  Waynick  and  S.   IT.  Braly 


A  Correction. 

A  complaint  of  injustice  and  injury  by  the  publication  of  a  judg- 
ment found  in  the  Assembly's  Digest,  on  page  383,  has  been  filed 
with  the  Board  of  Publication  by  Rev.  S.  H.  Buchanan.  In  the  in- 
vestigation of  the  matter,  the  following  certificate  was  given  us  by 
the  Clerk  of  the  Arkansas  Synod: 

I,  E.  M.  Roach,  as  Stated  Clerk  of  Arkansas  Synod,  do  hereby  certify 
that  the  records  of  said  Synod  show  that  the  Synod  at  its  meeting 
at  Russellville,  Ark.,  in  1895,  only  remitted  the  Dr.  S.  H.  Buchanan 
case  to  the  Ewing  Presbytery  to  be  taken  up  and  disposed  of  in  a 
regular  manner. 

The  following  is  a  copy  of  the  recommendation  of  the  Committee 
on  Overtures  in  the  case  which  was  adopted: 

"We,  therefore,  recommend  that  you  remit  the  whole  matter  to 
Ewing  Presbytery,  with  an  injunction  to  take  it  up  and  dispose  of 
it  in  a  regular  manner." 

Given  under  my  hand  as  such  Clerk,  Aujjusc  2,  1902. 

E.  M.  ROACH, 
Stated  Clerk,  Arkansas  Synod. 

Inasmuch  as  the  complaint  of  Dr.  Buchanan  was  against  the  action 
of  the  Synod  in  remitting  the  case  back  to  the  Presbytery,  and 
inasmuch  as  the  action  of  the  Assembly  was  based  largely  on  mat- 
ters outside  the  record,  the  Board  of  Publication  has  decided,  in 
justice  to  Dr.  Buchanan,  to  treat  the  action  of  the  Assembly  in  this 
instance  as  void  and  to  remove  this  whole  item  (p.  383)  from  the 
Digest.  The  Beard  has  reported  this  matter  to  the  General  Assembly 
of  1903,  and  that  body  unanimously  approved  this  action  of  the 
Board. 


THE  LA  U '  A  PPL  I  ED.  383 

prayed  an  appeal,  and  notified  the  Synod  of  the  appeal,  but  did  not 
within  proper  time  file  with  the  Clerk  of  the  Synod  or  the  Mod- 
erator of  the  Synod  notice  of  the  reasons  for  the  appeal,  but  filed 
the  notice  with  the  Stated  Clerk  of  the  General  Assembly. 

Your  Committee  are  of  opinion,  and  so  report,  that  the  action  of 
the  General  Assembly  of  1893  in  seating  taid  Jones  was  a  final  and 
conclusive  settlement  of  the  question  of  the  right  of  said  Jones  to 
a  seat  in  said  General  Assembly,  and  there  is  now  nothing  before 
this  General  Assembly  for  settlement.  If  it  should  be  attempted  by 
this  proceeding  to  have  this  General  Assembly  determine  the  abstract 
question  of  the  right  of  Rev.  J.  H.  W.  Jones  as  a  member  of  Obion 
Presbytery,  or  whether  he  has  forfeited  his  rights  by  removal  from 
the  bounds  of  the  Presbytery  without  proper  authority,  your  Committee 
are  of  opinion,  and  so  report,  that  this  case  does  noi  present  these 
questions  for  discussion  in  the  proper  manner. 

In  this  view  of  the  case  we  recommend  that  no  further  action  be 
taken  in  the  matter  by  this  General  Assembly.  Your  Committee  by 
this  report  do  not  determine  whether  Rev.  J.  II.  W.  Jones  is  or  is 
not  a  member  of  Obion  Presbytery,  as  that  question  is  not  now 
properly  before  the  General  Assembly  for  decision.^1894,  pp.  43,  44. 

JO.  The  complaint  of  S.  H.  Buchanan,  D.D. 

The  following  report  was  adopted: 

Your  Committee  on  Judiciary,  to  whom  was  referred  the  complaint 
of  Rev.  S.  H.  Buchanan,  D.D.,  against  the  action  of  the  Synod  of 
Arkansas,  in  remitting  to  Ewing  Presbytery  the  action  of  said  Pres- 
bytery in  the  matter  of  the  removal  of  the  suspension  of  said  S.  H. 
Buchanan  from  the  Gospel  ministry,  with  the  injunction  to  take  it 
up  and  dispose  of  it  in  a  regular  manner,  beg  leave  respectfully  to 
report : 

1.  That  as  to  the  complaint  made  by  Dr.  Buchanan,  that  the  action 
of  Ewing  Presbytery,  in  removing  from  him  a  sus  t;i.;ion  from  the 
Gospel  ministry,  was  not  referred  to  the  Committee  on  Overtures,  there 
is  a  conflict  in  the  evidence,  and  the  Committee  do  not  feel  it  to  be 
their  duty  to  determine  who  may  be  correct,  and,  however  it  might 
be  decided,  it  would  not  affect  the  determination  in  this  case. 

2.  From  the  papers  before  us,  it  appears  that  Dr.  Buchanan  had 
been  suspended  from  the  Gospel  ministry  by  Ewing  Presbytery, 
and  then  that  the  Presbytery  removed  such  suspension  without 
any  evidence  of  repentance  or  reparation.  This  action  of  Presbytery 
being  appealed  from,  the  Synod  reversed  the  action  of  the  Pres- 
bytery as  illegal,   and   to  this  we  agree. 

3.  The  point  of  the  complaint,  that  the  action  of  Synod  in  order- 
ing a  review  of  the   case   by   the   Presbytery   was   illegal,   because   the 


•384  PART  K,  JUDICIAh'Y. 

case  was  not  before  the  Synod  by  appeal  or  ccmplaint,  is  not  sustained, 
the  papers  before  us  showing  that  the  action  of  Ewmg  Presbytery, 
in    removing   the    suspension,    was    before    tlie    Synod    by    appeal. 

4.  The  point  made  by  the  complainant  in  his  fourth  ground  of 
complaint,  that  he  complained  at  a  certain  action  of  the  Presbytery, 
and  that  sucli  complaint  was  not  considered  by  the  Synod,  is  this: 
said  Presbytery  appointed  a  committee  to  investigate  all  charges 
pending  in  the  civil  courts  of  x\rkansas,  and  all  matters  relating 
thereto,  against  said  S.  H.  Buchanan.  To  this  action  of  the  Presbytery 
we  see  no  objection.  It  seems  that  the  result  of  the  action  of  said 
committee  was,  that  charges  were  preferred  against  the  said  S.  H. 
Buchanan,  which  are  now  pending  before  the  Presnyiery.  and  all 
matters  of  complaint  contained  in  this  fourth  item  by  complainant 
may  be  heard  and  corrected,  if  erroneous,  on  the  final  determination 
of  this  case.  We  therefore  recommend  that  the  complaint  be  dis- 
missed.— 189G,  pp.  50,  51. 

\\.  The  appeal  of  Rev.  J.  H.  Milholland. 

In  the  matter  of  th'^  appea'l  of  Rev.  .J.  H.  Milholland  against  the 
action  of  the  Illinois  Synod,  your  Committee  report  that  the  action 
of  said  Synod,  in  adopting  the  report  of  its  Judiciary  Committee,  upon 
the  appeal  from  Albion  Presbytery,  had  the  effect  only  to  continue 
the  trial  of  the  appeal  to  the  liext  meeting  of  the  Synod  (meeting 
in  October,  1897),  and,  being  thus  an  order  of  continuance  merely, 
is  not  such  a  judgment  or  final  deliverance  as  will  support  an  appeal. 

As  to  the  action  of  the  Synod  in  refusing  to  enter  a  protest  from 
the  appellant  against  the  adoption  of  the  report  to  continue  or  post- 
pone the  appeal,  it  seems  to  be  in  exact  accord  with  the  language 
of  Sec.  93,  Rules  of  Discipline,  which  the  Synod  had  no  power  to 
change  and  no  right  to  disregard.  The  Committee,  therefore, 
recommend  that  the  appeal   be   dismissed.     Adopted.— 1897,   pp.   G7,   68. 

J  2.  The  case  of  Rev.  T.  S.  Thompson. 

The  Committee  on  .Judiciary  submitted  the  following  majority  and 
minority  reports,  and  the  minority  repo^'t  was  adopted: 

Ma.joi;ity   Rei>c)i;t. 

In  this  matter  your  Committee  finds  that  Rev.  T.  S.  Thompson 
was  tried  upon  certain  charges  before  Cumberland  Presbytery,  in 
the  Synod  of  Kentucky,  and  found  guilty;  that  a  protest  against 
the  judgment  of  said  Presbytery  was  made  immediately  by  a  minister 
and  member  of  said  Presbytery,  which  protest,  with  the  reason 
therefor,    was    spread    upon    the    minutes    thereof,    at    the    foot    of   the 


THE  LA  W  .IPPLI/lI).  385 

judgment;  that  all  this  and  the  evidence  heard  before  said  Presbytery 
appeared  in  Llie  minutea  thereof^  and  when  said  minutes  came 
before  the  Synod  of  Kentucky  it  regularly  referred  said  protest 
tO'  its  Judiciary  Committee  (see  page  6,  printed  minutes  Ken- 
tucky Synod,  1897),  for  the  purpose  of  review,  and  upon 
the  recommendation  of  said  Committee  on  Judiciary,  Kentucky  Synod 
sustained  said  protest  and  reversed  the  decision  of  said  Presbytery, 
upon  the  ground  that  the  judgment  was  not  supported  by,  but  was 
contrarj'  to,  the  evidence  as  shown  by  the  records  of  said  Presbytery. 
(See  page  29,  minutes  Kentucky  Synod.) 

In  the  opinion  of  your  Committee,  Kentucky  Synod  had  jurisdic- 
tion of  the  case  and  it  was  the  duty  of  said  Synod  to  review  this 
case,  Section  67  of  our  Rules  of  Discipline  providing  that  "every 
decision  made  by  any  Church  court,  except  the  highest,  is  subject 
to  the  review  of  a  superior  court  and  may  be  brought  before  it  by 
general  review  and  control,  reference,  appeal,  or  complaint."  And 
Section  95  says:  "The  higher  court  shall  take  cognizance  of,  and 
render  its  judgment  on,  all  protests  appearing  upon  the  records  pass- 
ing under  its  review." 

This,  and  nothing  more  nor  less,  is  what  Kentucky  Synod  did  in  this 
case.  Wherefore,  we  recommend  that  you  approve  the  action  of  said 
Synod. 

Mi.NoiciTv  REi'oirr. 

Rev.  T.  S.  Thompson  was  charged  with  immorality  by  Cumberland 
Presbytery  and  convicted  and  deposed.  He  did  not  appeal  nor 
complain  to  the  Synod,  but  Rev.  J.  L.  Mauk,  a  member  of  the  Pres- 
bytery, protested  and  had  his  protest  entered  upon  the  minutes  of  the 
Presbytery. 

Kentucky  Synod  referred  the  matter  of  protest  to  its  Judiciary 
Committee  and  that  Committee  reported  that  the  judgment  against 
said  Thompson  should  be  set  aside  for  want  of  evidence  to  support 
it,  and  the  Synod  adopted  that  report. 

Cumberland  Presbytery  nov.-  memorializes  this  Assembly  to  review 
and   adjudicate   upon   the   action   of   Kentucky   Synod. 

1.  This  Assembly,  under  this  memorial,  can  neither  reverse  nor 
annul  the  action  of  Kentucky  Synod. 

2.  Under  our  discipline,  Kentucky  Synod  could  not  reverse  nor 
annul  the  judgment  of  Cumberland  Presbytery  deposing  said  T.  S. 
Thompson  except  by  appeal  or  on  complaint.     (See  Discipline,  sec.  70.) 

The  protest  by  Rev.  J.  L.  Mauk  did  not  authorize  Synod  to  reverse 
the  judgment,  though  it  may  have  authorized  the  Synod  to  have 
given  its  judgment  on  the  proceeding.     (Discipline,  sec.  9.">.) 

It  is  not  the  purpose  of  this  report  to  approve  the  action  of  Cum- 
berland   Prepbytery. — 1898,    pp.    .50,    57. 


386  PART  v.,  JUDICIARY. 

13.  The  case  of   Rev.  J.  A.  Dewoody. 

[Note.— See  Part  IV.,  Section  13,  'Powers  of  Presbytery,"  sub-section 
(5),  p.  143.] 

J4.  The  case  of  Mrs.  L.  M.  Woosley. 

[Note. — See  Part  III.,  Section  17,  page  74.] 

15.  A  case  of  ordination  without  examination. 

[Note. — See  Part  IV.,  (/>)  Licentiates  must  pass  a  constitutional  ex- 
amination,  before  ordination,  p.  134.] 

111.    PERMANENT    .]  IJDICIARY    COMMITTEE. 

The  following  resolutions  by  the  Committee  on  .Judiciary  were 
aoopted,  and  K..iing  Llder  John  Frizzell,  of  Nashville,  Tenu.,  was 
appointed  on  the  Committee  provided  for  therein : 

J\'csu1rect,  That  a  Standing  Committee  on  .Judiciary  be  and  the  .same 
is  hereby  created,  to  be  composed  of  one  person  learned  in  the  Rules, 
the  Constitution,  and  Government  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian 
Church. 

h'rxdircil,  That  the  duty  of  this  Committee  shall  be  to  receive  and 
ansv.er  all  questions  of  a  judicial  character  arising  In  the  interim 
between  the  sessions  of  the  General  Assembly. 

J\'cx()lrc(l,  That  said  Committee  make  its  reports  of  all  questions  de- 
termined by  it,  and  that  no  determinations  by  said  Committee  shall 
be  binding  upon  the  General  Assembly  as  precedents  until  they  shall 
have  been  so  reported   and   approved   by   the   General  Assembly. 

h'csdlral.  That  the  General  Assembly,  through  its  Moderator,  ap- 
point the  Committee,  and  that  the  Committee  serve  until  the  next 
succeeding  General  Assembly,  and  until  his  successor  be  appointed. 
—1885,  p.  41. 

The  Committee  on  Judiciary  submitted  the  following  report,  which 
was  concurred  in,  and  its  recommendations  adopted: 

The  General  Assembly  at  its  last  session  created  a  "Standing  Com- 
mittee on  Judiciary,"  to  be  composed  of  one  person,  who  should 
"receive  and  answer  all  questions  of  a  judicial  character  arising  in  the 
interim  between  the  sessions  of  the  General  Assembly."  Judge  John 
Frizzell  was  appointed  as  such  Committee,  and  his  repoi't  of  questions 
received  and  answers  given  has  been  before  us.  We  think  these  answers 
are.  in  the  main,  correct  and  instructive,  and  therefore  valuable  to 
the  Church;  but  we  do  not  think  it  advisable  for  the  General  Assembly 
to  approve  or  disapprove  any  of  them  except  such  as  may  be  brought 


rERiVANEXT  JCDICIARY  COMMITTEE,  ys7 

before  it  in  regular  order,  pursuant  to  Article  43  of  the  Constitution, 
and  for  the  purpobe  of  judicial  decision  to  hcive  force  in  actual 
cases. 

These  decisions  consist  of  answers  to  forty-five  direct  questions  pro- 
pounded to  the  Committeeman;  and  the  answers  involve,  in  addition, 
a  large  number  of  collateral  questions. 

This  Committee  has  neither  the  time  nor  the  facilities  for  intelli- 
gently passing  upon  so  large  a  number  of  important  questions,  and 
we  submit  wliether  it  is  practicable  for  this  General  Assembly  to  do 
so,  to  say  nothing  of  the  policy  of  the  Church  courts  passing  upon 
abstract  questions.  We  therefore  submit  whether  the  Committee 
should  not  be  relieved  of  further  consideration  of  this  report. 

In  this  connection  we  further  submit  for  your  consideration  the 
adoption  of  the  following  resolution: 

Resolrcil,  That  the  Standing  Committee  on  Judiciary,  provided  for 
by  resolutions,  recorded  on  page  41  of  the  Minutes  of  the  General 
Assembly  of  1885,  be  not  required  to  report  to  the  General  Assembly, 
and  that  his  answers  be  regarded  as  advisory  only. — 188G,  pp.  16,  17. 

Ruling  Elder  John  Frizzell  was  elected  as  the  Committee  of  one 
on  Judiciary   for  the  ensuing  year. — 1886,   p.    17. 

The  following  paper,  offered  by  Rev.  Alonzo  Pearson,  relating  to 
the  establishment  of  a  Permanent  Judiciary  Committee,  was  referred 
to  a  Special  Committee,  consisting  of  Ruling  Elder  E.  E.  Beard,  Rev. 
J.  V.  Stephens,  and  Ruling  Elder  John  M.  Gaut,  with  instructions 
to  report  on  the  same  at  the  next  meeting  of  the  General  Assembly: 

W'Ik  rcas,  The  General  Assembly  has  rendered  contradictory  decisions, 
from  time  to  time,  upon  vital  interests  of  the  Church;  therefore, 
be  it 

yi'cso/rci/,  That  the  General  Assembly  appoint  a  Permanent  Judi- 
ciary Committee  of  five,  whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  act  upon  all  legal 
questions  before  they  are  presented  to  the  Assembly. 

It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Stated  Clerk  to  send  all  such  communi- 
cations, addressed  to  the  Assembly,  to  said  Committee.  It  shall  be 
the  duty  of  said  Committee  to  meet  just  before  each  meeting  of  the 
General  Assembly  and  act  upon  all  papers  before  them,  and  report  to 
the  Assembly.  It  shall  also  be  the  duty  of  the  Permanent  Judiciary 
Committee  to  send  a  representative  to  each  meeting  of  the  Assembly, 
who  may  act  as  Chairman  of  the  Assembly's  Standing  Committee  on 
Judiciary,  if  a  commissioner. 

If  not  a  commissioner,  and  if  not  appointed  Chairman  of  Judiciai-y 
Committee,  said  representative  shall  act  as  an  advisory  member  of 
the  Assembly's  Standing  Committee.  When  said  representative  is  not 
a  commissioner,  his  expenses  are  to  be  paid  by  the  Assembly's 
Treasurer.— 1898,   p.   67. 


PART  VI. 
AGENCIES  OF  THE  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY. 

I.  THE   GENERAL  ASSEMBLY'S   BOARD   OF   TRUSTEES. 

Re-toh-ed,  That  F.  R.  Cossitt,  F.  C.  Usher,  J.  G.  Biddle,  A.  Har- 
peiiding,  Wm.  McGowan,  J.  H.  Rackerby,  W.  P.  Fowler,  and  P.  B. 
McGoodwin  be,  and  hereby  are,  appointed  a  Committee  to  act  as  a 
Board  of  Trustees,  until  a  board  is  incorporated  or  the  General  As- 
sembly shall  make  other  arrangements  and  other  disposition  of  the 
funds;  and  to  attend  lo  other  duties  assigned  them  by  this  Assem- 
bly,  viz.: 

This  Committee  is  instructed  to  apply  to  eminent  legal  counsel  and 
procure  the  draft  of  a  contract  between  the  General  Assembly  of  this 
Church  and  the  Cumberland  College  Association,  securing  the  rights 
of  either  party,  and  binding  each  in  such  a  manner  as  will  effectually 
secure  forever  all  funds  to  be  collected  for  the  benefit  of  the  Cum- 
berland Presbyterian  Church  and  according  to  the  objects  of  this 
General  Assembly,  and  present  the  same  to  the  next  General  As- 
sembly for  final  action  and  consummation.  Adopted. — 1S40,  pp.  561- 
563,  MSS. 

Your  Committee  respectfully  recommend  to  the  General  Assembly 
the  adoption  of  the  contract  entered  into  by  the  Committee  appointed 
at  your  last  session  and  the  Association  of  Cumberland  College,  to- 
gether with  the  amended  chartei*  procured  by  the  agent  of  the 
General  Assembly  from  the  Legislature  of  Kentucky,  at  its  last  session, 
to  which  document  your  Committee  beg  leave  to  refer.  Adopted.— 
1841,   pp.   667,   668,  MSS. 

Re><(jlr€(I,  That  this  Assembly  does  hereby  accept  and  confirm,  in 
all  its  parts,  an  act  of  the  Legislature  of  Kentucky  at  its  last  session, 
on  the  16th  of  February,  1841,  designated  "An  Act  to  Amend  an  Act 
Entitled  an  Act  to  Amend  the  Charter  of  Cumberland  College,  and 
for  Other  Purposes,"  approved  16th  of  February,  1838,  and  that  said 
Act,  together  with  the  contract  with  Cumberland  College  Association, 
be  recorded  on  the  Minutes  of  this   General   Assembly. 

RcsoU-al,  That  F.  R.  Cossitt,  F.  C.  Usher,  J.  G.  Biddle,  A.  H.  Dudley, 
Thomas  Hunter,  T.  L.  McNairy,  Wm.  McGowan,  and  J.  H.  Rackerby, 
of  Princeton,  Ky.,  with  F.  E.  McLean,  of  Elkton,  Ky.,  A.  Harpend- 
ing,  of  Christian  County,  Ky.,  Robert  Donnell,  of  Alabama,  Finis 
Ewing.  of  Missouri,  and  John  Morgan,  of  Pennsylvania,  are  hereby 
(389) 


;)90  PAk'T  /'/.,  Ac;/-xcn:s  of  riir.  assiijsiuly. 

elected  and  appointed  a  Board  of  Trusteeb  for  this  General  Assembly 
for  the  purposes  specified  in  the  above  act  of  tlie  Legislature  of 
Kentucky.     Adopted.— 1841,    pp.   G69-671,   MSS. 

lUxiAvvil,  That  all  persons,  bodies  corporate,  or  legislative  bodies, 
desirous  of  bequeathing  or  donating  any  money  or  other  valuable 
property  to  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,  be  requested  to 
make  it  to  the  General  Assembly's  Board  of  Trustees  for  Cumberland 
College.     Adopted.— 1S41,    pp.    675,    676,    MSS. 

The  report  of  the  Trustees  for  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church 
being  referred,  this  Committee  finds  that  the  Trustees  have  complied 
with  the  order  of  the  Assembly,  made  at  its  last  session,  at  Bvans- 
ville,  Ind.,  in  relation  to  the  litigation  between  the  representatives 
of  Mrs.  Eliza  K.  Gi-ay,  and  the  Trustees  in  behalf  of  the  Church; 
and  also  their  action  in  relation  to  the  Brown  bequest  has  been 
faithfully  and  satisfacto.rily  attende'd  to  by  them.  The  Trustees  tender 
their  resignation  to  this  Assembly,  and  ask  to  be  discharged  from 
further  labor.  This  Committee  recommend  to  this  General  Assembly 
that  it  is  important  for  the  interest  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian 
Church  that  a  legal  corporate  existence  be  continucci  until  action  on 
the  subject  may  be  had  by  competent  authority  to  supply  their  place, 
and  therefore  recommend  that  the  resignation  of  the  Trustees  be 
accepted,  and  recommend  that  successors  be  elected  by  this  General 
Assembly.     Adopted. — I'SGO,  p.   72. 

The  Committee  on  Judiciary  reported,  .  .  .  and  in  accordance  there- 
with the  following  gentlemen  were  elected  a  Board  of  Trustees: 

Revs.  J.  M.  Gill,  J.  M.  Penick,  A.  J.  McLean,  G.  F.  Blakey,  U.  E. 
Kennedy,  E.  T.  Porter,  W.  L.  Reeves,  .John  Roach,  Wm.  Miller,  Wm. 
Harrold,  .Tohn  Russell,  P.  W.  Morris,  and  A.  Miller.— 1860,  p.  34. 

We,  the  Trustees  now  acting,  hereby  most  respectfully  oiler  to  yotir 
Reverend  Body  our  resignation  as  such,  and  earnestly  pray  that  you 
accept  the  same,  and  we  will  be  ready  at  any  time  to  turn  over  to 
our  successors  in  office  all  funds,  books,  etc.,  now  in  our  possession. 

The  Treasurer  made  his  annual  report  to  this  Board,  which  was 
audited   and   approved.     Respectfully, 

J.  M.   Gill,  Pre.s.   and  Sec, 
W.    L,    Reevks,    Treasurer, 
M.   R.    Kexnkdv, 
B.   C.  PoKTEi;, 

H.     E.     CO.NOA  KK, 

A.  H.  Mir.LLN, 
P.   W.   Moiniis, 
JA.MES   Gill, 
W.   B.   Reevis. 

—1898,  p.  21. 


77//;  j;().lA'/)  ()/''  TRUSTIUiS.  391 

As  regards  the  report  of  your  Board  of  Trustees  and  that  of  the 
Committee  which  audited  tlieir  books,  whicli  were  referred  to  us,  we 
recommend: 

1.  That  you  comply  with  the  request  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  of 
this  Assembly  by  accepting  their  resignation,  and  that  you  at  once 
elect  an  equal  number  of  trustees  to  succeed  them.  That  the  Board 
of  Trustees  that  have  resigned  be  directed  to  deliver  to  their  suc- 
cessors all  money,  funds,  property,  and  rights  of  every  kind. 

2.  That  you  commend  the  Board  for  their  diligence  and  faithfulness 
in  holding  in  trust  this  fund,  especially  the  Rev.  J.  H.  Gill,  D.D.,  the 
President  and  Secretary,  who  has  been  a  member  of  said  Board  for 
thirty-five  years,  and  under  whose  influence  this  fund  was  placed  at 
your   disposal.     Adopted. — 1898,   p.    64. 

In  pursuance  of  the  recommendation  contained  in  the  above  report, 
the  Moderator  appointed  the  following  Committee  to  nominate  mem- 
bers of  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  the  Assembly:  Revs.  J.  S.  Grider 
and  J.  E.  Clarke,  and  Elder  W.  L,.  Atkinson.— 1898,  p.  61. 

The  special  Committee  appointed  to  nominate  members  of  the  As- 
sembly's new  Board  of  Trustees,  submitted  the  following  report, 
whereupon  the  Stated  Clerk  of  the  Assembly  was  ordered  to  cast  the 
ballot  of  the  body  for  the  persons  thus  designated,  which  he  pro- 
ceeded to  do  in  the  presence  of  the  Assembly,  and  then  the  Moderator 
declared  that  the  persons  so  named  had  been  duly  elected  to  con- 
stitute the  General  Assembly's  new  Board  of  Trustees,  and  Dr.  J.  O. 
Carson,  of  Bowling  Green,  Ky.,  was  authorized  and  directed  to  call 
the  new  Board  together  for  its  proper  organization. 

Your  Committee,  appointed  to  nominate  a  Board  of  Trustees  for 
the  General  Assembly,  respectfully  suggest  the  following  named  gen- 
tlemen: 

Luther  R.  Porter,  Bowling  Green,  Ky.;  Dr.  J.  O.  Carson,  Bowling 
Green,  Ky.;  R.  C.  Posey,  Bowling  Green,  Ky.;  W.  F.  Ennis,  Bowling 
Green,  Ky.;  W.  E.  Settle,  Bowling  Green,  Ky.;  H.  E.  Jenkins,  Bowling 
Green,  Ky.;  E.  G.  Wilcoxson,  Smiths  Grove,  Ky.;  J.  R.  Kirby,  Smiths 
Grove,  Ky.;  J.  W.  Potter,  Rich  Pond,  Ky.;  L.  H.  Skiles,  Rich  Pond, 
Ky.;  H.  P.  McCormick,  Auburn,  Ky.;  Dr.  T.  0.  Helm,  Auburn,  Ky. 
--1898,  pp.  81,  82. 

A  Report  of  the  Boako  of  Trt'stees. 

Ti>  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Citinberland  Presbyterian  Chunh,  to  iiirct 
in  the  city  of  NashiiUc,  Tmaessee,  May  17,  1883: 

We,  the  undersigned  Trustees  of  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Cum- 
berland Presbyterian  Church,  respectfully  submit  the  following  report: 

1.  We  have  about  reached  the  end  of  the  various  entanglements  which 
liave  in  time  past  surrounded  the  Finley  bequest,  which  has  so  often 
been    reported    to   your   body.     It   will    be    remembered    that    John    P. 


392  VAKT  /■/.,  AGENCIES  OE  THE  ASSEMJILY. 

Finley,  of  Christian  County,  Kentucky,  made  a  Avill,  by  which  he 
made  certain  specific  devises,  and  bequeathed  all  the  remainder  of 
his  estate  to  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,  to  be  held  in  trust 
by  his  executors  for  twenty  years,  and  the  interest,  at  six  per  cent 
per  annum,  to  be  paid  on  said  fund  to  your  Trustees,  which  interest 
has  been  collected  from  time  to  time,  and  appropriated  as  per  your 
order. 

The  twenty  years  have  expired,  and  the  whole  ot  said  fund  ha.-;  been 
collected,  except  about  one  thousand  dollars,  and  is  now  in  the 
hands  of  our  Treasurer,  and  subject  to  your  order. 

The  thousand  dollars  yet  uncollected  is  well  secured,  and  on  final 
settlement  with  the  executors  or  their  sureties,  the  said  thousand 
dollars  will  be  diminished  by  the  taxes  which  have  accrued  on  said 
fund  since  a  judgment  was  obtained  in  the  Christian  Circuit  Court 
against  the  executors  aforesaid  and  their  sureties  and  in  favor  of  your 
Ti-ustees,  and  a  small  attorney's  fee. 

The  amount  adjudged  as  principal,  v\'as  fifteen  thousand  dollars. 
The  whole  amount  now  due,  and  in  the  hands  of  the  Treasurer  of 
your  Board,  is  near  seventeen  thousand  dollars. 

Your  Trustees  also  report  that  Brother  John  A.  Doherty,  of  Warren 
County,  Kentucky,  in  February,  executed  a  deed  of  gift  to  your 
Trustees,  in  the  amount  of  ten  thousand  dollars,  which  amount  was 
paid  by  him  in  cash  to  the  Treasurer  of  said  Trustees.  The  deed 
of  gift  aforesaid  is  made  a  part  of  this  report,  and  is  herewith  submit- 
ted for  your  inspection  and  acceptance. 

Your  Trustees  recommend  that  the  said  gift  be  accepted  as  per  the 
deed,  with  all  of  its  restrictions  and  requirements,  and  that  this  Gen- 
eral Assembly  express  the  grateful  thanks  of  the  whole  Church  to  the 
generous  donor,  and  that  you  invoke  the  blessing  of  Heaven  to  rest 
upon  both  the  giver  and  the  gift — that  the  gift  may  be  fully  consecrat- 
ed to  the  Master's  use,  and  that  the  giver  may  fully  realize  that  "it  is 
more  blessed  to  give  than  to  receive." 

Your  Trustees  have  elected  Brother  T.  P.  Dance,  of  Tventon,  Ken- 
tucky, to  fill  the  vacancy  in  the  Board  occasioned  by  the  death  of 
Brother  A.  J.  McLean,  and  ask  you  to  confirm  said  election. 

Respectfully  submitted.  .T.  M.  Gill,  Prcsiihiit  and  Secntdii/, 

W.   L.   Reeves,   Treasurer, 

A.  H.    MiLLIN, 

E.   T.   Pouter, 

B.  C.    POUTEli, 
J.     S.     COI.EilAN, 

T.  R.   FosTEij, 
W.  B.  Reeves, 
P.  W.  MonRis, 
W.  A.  McReyxolds, 
T.  P.  Dance. 


THE  JIOARD  OF  TKL'STEES.  391^ 

TkE    DuHEUrV    UEl^L  JitiT. 

Kiioic  all  Men  bn  these  I'lescntti: 

That  I,  John  A.  Doherty,  of  Warren  County,  Kentucky,  for  and 
in  consideration  of  the  love  and  affection  which  I  have  for  the  cause 
of  Christ,  and  for  that  body  of  his  people  known  as  the  Cumberland 
Presbyterian  Church,  have  given,  aliened,  transferred,  and  delivered, 
and  do  by  these  presents  give,  alien,  transfer,  and  deliver  to  the 
Trustees  of  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian 
Church,  a  body  corporate,  incorporated,  and  organized  under  and  by 
virtue  of  an  Act  of  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Commonwealth  of 
Kentucky,  composed  at  present  of  J.  M.  Gill,  A.  H.  Millin,  W.  A.  Mc- 
Reynolds,  W.  B.  Reeves,  J.  S.  Coleman,  B.  C.  Porter,  P.  W.  Morris, 
T.  R.  Foster,  E.  T.  Porter,  and  W.  L.  Reeves,  of  Todd  County,  Ken- 
tucky, and  to  their  successors  in  office  perpetually,  ten  thousand  dollars 
in  cash  money,  in  trust  for  the  use  and  benefit  of  the  General 
Assembly  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,  to  be  held  and 
with  instructions  to  hold  the  same  upon  the  terms,  conditions,  limita- 
tions, and  trusts  herein  named.  Said  money  shall  be  invested  by 
the  Treasurer  of  the  said  Trustees  under  the  direction  of  said  Trus- 
tees, and  their  successors  in  office,  in  some  good,  safe,  interest- 
bearing  securities,  which  may  be  County  bonds.  City  or  Government 
bonds,  or  other  things,  the  mo<le  and  manner  of  said  investment, 
and  the  nature  and  kind  of  investment,  to  be  left  to  the  sound 
discretion  of  said  Trustees  and  their  Treasurer;  and  said  money  shall 
constitute  a  fund,  to  be  known  as  "The  Doherty  Fund,"  to  be  for- 
ever kept  separate,  and  held  by  said  Trustees  sacred  for  the  edu- 
cation of  ministers  of  the  Gospel  in  said  Church,  as  herein  provided. 
The  principal  of  said  fund  shall  never  be  diminished,  and  the  in- 
terest thereon,  less  the  proper  and  necessary  charges  and  expenses 
upon  said  fund,  if  any,  shall  be  paid,  and  is  directed  to  be  paid,  an- 
nually to  the  professors  or  teachers  of  the  Theological  Department 
of  Cumberland  University,  located  at  Lebanon,  in  Wilson  County, 
Tennessee,  or  to  such  person  for  the  use  and  benefit  of  the  said 
professors  or  teachers  as  may  be  designated  for  that  purpose  by 
the  General  Assembly  of  said  Church.  Should  the  said  Theological 
School,  which  is  now  imder  the  supervision  of  the  General  Assembly 
of  said  Church,  cease  to  exist  at  Lebanon,  Tennessee,  or  should  the 
General  Assembly  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,  in  their 
discretion,  remove  it  elsewhere,  they  may,  in  that  event,  direct  the 
interest  on  said  fiind,  as  aforesaid,  to  be  paid  to  the  professors  or 
teachers  of  the  said  Theological  School  wherever  it  may  be  located, 
or  to  some  person  for  the  use  and  benefit  of  such  professors  or 
teachers,  and  in  that  event  the  interest  on  said  fund  shall  be  paid 
to  the  person,  and  in  the  way  and  manner  directed  by  the  General 
Assembly  of  the  said  Church,  for  the  purpose  aforesaid.     And  if  there 


394  PART  /■/.,  AGENCIES  OE  THE  ASSEMBLY. 

should  be  a  lotis  of  any  part  of  the  principal  ol  said  fund,  from  any 
cause,  the  General  Assembly  cf  said  Church  shall,  in  that  event, 
replace  and  make  good  the  amount  so  lost  with  other  means  which 
may  be  at  their  disposal,  or  to  be  raised  by  them,  to  be  paid  to  said 
Trustees  as  a  part  of  the  principal  of  said  fund,  to  keep  the  same 
perpetually  at  the  amount  or  value  of  ten  thousand  dollars,  and  the 
acceptance  of  the  gift  of  said  fund,  as  herein  provided,  by  the  General 
Assembly  of  said  Church  shall  be  a  pledge  on  the  part  of  the  General 
Assembly  of  the  said  Church  to  replace  and  make  good  any  such  loss 
in  the  manner  aforesaid. 

in  icstiiinjiii/  irlicixiij  1  have  hereunto  set  my  hand,  this  loth  day  of 
February,  1883.  Joh.n  A.  Douektv. 

Witnessed  by 

M.  M.  Smith, 

A.    G.    DOIIEUTY. 

*S7(//c  of  Kviitiirhij,   Wdircii   Coiinti/. 

I,  Ben.  F.  Gardner,  Clerk  of  the  Warren  County  Court,  do  certify 
that  the  foregoing  instrument  was  this  day  produced  to  me  in  my 
office  and  proved  to  be  the  act  and  deed  of  John  A.  Doherty,  by  the 
oaths  of  M.  M.  Smith  and  A.  G.  Doherty,  the  two  subscribing  wit- 
nesses thereto,  and  the  tax  being  this  day  also  paid,  I  have  recorded 
same,  with  this  certificate,  in  my  office. 
Given  under  my  hand  this  10th  day  of  February,  1883. 

Bex.   F.  Gardnek,  clerk, 
By   S.   M.    Mateock,    Dc/iiitij   Clerk. 
—1883,  pp.   lOG-108. 

The  following  report  of  the  Committee  on  .Judiciary  was  concurred 
in: 

The  Committee  on  Judiciary  have  considered  that  portion  of  the 
report  of  the  Trustees  of  the  Church,  concerning  the  gift  of  Dr.  J.  A. 
Doherty,  of  Warren  County,  Kentucky,  and  which  has  been  referred 
to  it.  The  Committee  have  carefully  examined  the  terms  and  con- 
ditions of  the  gift  of  ten  thousand  dollars,  set  forth  in  the  dieed  filed 
with  said  report,  and  we  are  of  the  opinion  that  the  said  conditions 
are  reasonable  and  proper,  and  that  the  General  Assembly,  as  the 
beneficiary  thereof,  should  accept  the  said  donation,  with  the  at- 
tached conditions. 

Your  Committee,  therefore,  recommend  the  adoption  of  the  follow- 
ing resolutions: 

Resolved,  That  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Cumberland  Presby- 
terian Church  hereby  accepts  the  trusts  and  benefits  arising  under 
the  said  deed  of  Dr.  J.  A.  Doherty,  and  upon  the  terms  and  conditions 
set  forth  in  said  deed,  and  that  the  General  Assembly  does  hereby 
agree  and  undertake  to  apply  the  fund   in   accordance   with   the   wish 


THE  JJOAKD  OF  TRUSTEES.  395 

of  the  donor,  as  expresseil  in  the  deed,  and  to  keep  forever  intact 
the  principal  of  the  said  fund,  and  to  reijlace  from  other  funds,  under 
the  control  of  the  General  Assembly,  the  loss  of  any  portion  of  the 
said  principal,   should  the  same   occur. 

licmlvvd,  fiiiihcr,  That  this  formal  acceptance  of  said  gift,  to- 
gether with  the  deed  of  gift,  be  spread  upon  the  Minutes  of  this 
General  Assembly,  and  that  Dr.  J.  A.  Doherty  be  furnished  with  a 
certified  copy  of  the  same.  Johx  Fiuzzell,  Vhuinnan. 

— ISSS,  p.  27. 
The  CiiAUTEi:  ov  the  Boaud. 

[Acts  of  Kentucky,  1853-1,  Vol.  2.] 

Ax  Act  to  amend  the  charter  of  Cumberland  College,  and  to  incor- 
porate the  Trustees  of  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Cumberland 
Presbyterian   Church : 

^yhvrvui<,  An  act  to  amend  an  act,  entitled  "an  act  to  amend  the 
charter  of  Cumberland  College,  and  for  other  purposes,"  approved 
February  l(j,  1S41,  was  passed  for  the  benefit  of  "Cumberland  Col- 
lege Association"  and  the  General  Assemblj^  of  the  Cumberland  Pres- 
Ijyterian  Church,  by  which  act  the  entire  control  and  management 
of  said  College  was  given  up  to  said  General  Assembly;  and 
Avhereas,  bj^  said  act  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  said  College  and 
General  Assembly  were  made;  and,.  Avhereas,  said  General  As- 
sembly has  dissolved  its  connection  with  said  College;  and, 
whereas,  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  said  College  and  said  General 
Assembly  are  two  separate  and  distinct  bodies,  although  acting  under 
the  same  charter;  and,  whereas,  much  difficulty  has  been  experienced 
by  said  Board  of  said  General  Assembly  by  reason  of  deficiencies  in 
their  said  charter — in  collecting  donations  bequests,  and  other  chari- 
ties given  to  said  Church;  therefore. 

Be  it  i'luicted,  1.  By  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Commonwealth 
of  Kentucky,  That  George  D.  McLean,  Will  H.  Miller,  Silas  N.  Davis, 
T.  J.  Duncan,  M.  Dudley,  Thos.  Hunter,  John  P.  Rascoe,  H.  W. 
Champion,  R.  H.  Lander,  Reuben  O'Hara,  Wm.  IL  Barnett,  J.  H. 
Miller,  and  their  successors,  shall  be,  and  thej'  are  hereby,  declared 
and  constituted  a  body  corporate  and  politic  by  the  name  and  style 
of  the  Trustees  of  the  General  Asseml)ly  of  the  Cumberland  Presby- 
terian Church,  and  by  that  name  and  style  shall  sue  and  be  sued, 
plead  and  be  impleaded,  and  possess  all  the  powers  and  rights  of  a 
corporate  body,  and  shall  continue  in  office  until  the  annual  session 
of  said  General  Assembly  in  1856,  and  until  their  successors  are  duly 
•elected  and  qualified  according  to  law. 

2.  That  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  the  General  Assembly  of  said 
Church  shall  have  full  power  and  authority  to  receive  in  trust  for 
the  said  General  Assembly  any  donation,  bequest,  or  other  charities, 
which   may  be,   or  have  been   hitherto,    made   to   said    Church,   or   to 


396  PART  VI.,  AGENCIES  OE  THE  ASSEMJILY. 

said  General  Assembly,  or  to  said  Board,  for  the  use  and  benefit  of 
said  Cliurch  or  Aiisenibly,  for  educational,  religious,  or  claaritable  pur- 
poses under  the  direction  of  the  said  General  Assembly. 

3.  That  all  moneys  and  other  estates,  of  every  description,  which 
may  be  vested  in  said  Board  of  Trustees,  by  virtue  of  their  office, 
shall  forever  be  held  in  trust  for  the  use  of  the  Cumberland  Pres- 
byterian Church,  the  interest  alone  of  which  shall  be  devoted  to  re- 
ligious, charitable,  or  educational  purposes,  as  said  Assembly  may 
direct. 

4.  That  said  General  Assembly  shall  be  empowered  to  elect  her  .^aid 
Trustees  at  her  regular  and  stated  meetings,  any  five  of  whom,  as- 
sembled at  a  regular  meeting,  or  by  a  constitutional  call,  shall  con- 
stitute a  auorum  to  do  business. 

5.  That  said  Board  of  Trustees  may  appoint  an  Executive  Com- 
mittee, to  consist  of  the  Secretary,  Treasurer,  and  three  other  mem- 
bers, to  manage  the  fiscal  concerns  of  said  Board,  any  three  of  whom 
shall  constitute  a  quorum  to  do  business. 

6.  That  said  Board  of  Trustees  shall  meet  annually,  on  the  fourth 
Monday  in  June,  in  each  year,  at  which  time  they  shall  elect  a  Presi- 
dent, Vice  President,  Secretary  and  Treasurer,  who  shall  continue 
in  office  until  their  successors  are  elected  and  qualified;  the  said  Board 
shall  also  meet  semi-annually,  or  oftener,  on  its  own  adjournments, 
or  by  call  of  the  President,  to  transact  business,  to  make  all  neces- 
sary arrangements  for  carrying  into  effect  the  views  or  said  General 
Assembly;  to  manage  and  invest  the  funds  collected,  or  any  other 
property  or  estate;  and  said  Board  shall  report  to  said  Assembly  of 
said  Church  at  her  regular  meetings. 

7.  That  the  President  of  said  Board  shall  preside  in  all  the  meetings 
of  the  same,  call  special  meetings  at  the  request  cf  any  two  members, 
and  the  Vice  President,  in  the  absence  of  the  President,  shall  preside 
and  possess  similar  powers;  and,  in  the  absence  of  both  President 
and  Vice  President,  then  said  Board  may  choose  a  President  pro 
/(■;/(.,  who  shall  preside  for  the  time  being. 

8.  That  the  Secretary  shall  keep  a  full  and  fair  record  of  all  the 
proceedings  of  said  Board,  and  cari'y  on  all  its  correspondence. 

9.  That  the  Treasurer  shall  take  charge  and  dispone  of  all  funds 
according  to  the  directions  of  said  Board,  and  report  wlien  called  on. 

10.  That  the  Treasurer  shall  give  bond,  with  approved  security,  in 
such  penalty,  to  said  Board,  as  the  same  may  from  time  to  time 
direct,  for  the  faithful  performance  of  his  duties:  I'roriiJcci,  that  none 
of  his  sureties  shall  be  members  of  said  Board. 

11.  That  all  vacancies  created  by  death,  resignation,  or  in  any 
other  manner,  shall  be  filled  by  the  ensuing  General  Assembly  of  said 
Church,  unless  said  Board  find  it  absolutely  necessary  to  do  it  them- 
selves, in  which  case  the  appointment  to  fill  anj'  vacancy  shall  continue 
only  until  the  vacancy  shall  be  filled  by  the  said  Assembly. 


THE  BOARD  OF  PUBLICATIOX.  397 

12.  That  in  case  of  the  failure  of  any  officer  of  said  Board  to  serve, 
according  to  the  requisitions  of  said  Assembly,  the  Board  shall  have 
power  to  elect  a  suitable  person  to  such  office,  according  to  said 
requisitions,    and   to  remove   delinquents   in   office. 

13.  That  should  the  time  ever  come  when  any  religious  body,  claim- 
ing to  be  the  successors  of  the  present  General  Assembly  of  said 
Chiirch,  and  should  hold  and  maintain  doctrines  and  sentiments  dif- 
ferent from  those  now  held  by  said  Church,  then  the  powers  and 
privileges  granted  to  the  General  Assembly  of  said  Church  shall  inure 
to  and  be  vested  in  that  body  of  people  professing  and  preaching  the 
doctrines  of  the  said  Church,  as  now  set  forth  in  her  Confession  of 
Faith. 

14.  Tha.t  said  Board  shall  have  authority,  by  law,  to  collect  all  such 
sums  of  money,  all  legacies,  bequests,  donations,  and  estates,  of 
every  description,  as  have  heretofore  been  or  may  hereafter  be  sub- 
scribed, devised,  bequeathed,  or  donated  by  individuals,  or  for  which 
any  persons  may  have  heretofore  or  may  hereafter  execute  their  notes 
or  bonds,  to  the  said  Church,  Assembly,  or  Board. — Approved  March 
8,   1854. 

II.  THE   BOARD  OF  PUBLICATION. 

The  General  Assembly,  at  its  first  meeting,  in  1829  (MSS.  Minutes, 
p.  18),  appointed  a  Committee  to  superintend  the  publication  of  5,000 
copies  of  the  Confession  of  Faith.  In  1830  (MSS.  Minutes,  p.  30),  the 
General  Assembly  made  "The  Religious  and  Literary  Intelligencer," 
a  private  newspaper,  its  organ  by  appointing  its  editor.  The  funds 
to  pay  for  the  publication  of  the  books  that  were  issued  from  time 
to  time  seem  to  have  been  contributed  by  individuals.  In  1845 
(MSS.  Minutes,  pp.  300-306),  the  General  Assembly  adopted  a  kind  of 
constitution  for  the  government  of  the  publishing  interests  of  the 
Church,  through  a  "Publishing  Association."  But  nothing  seems  to 
have  been  accomplished  by  this  Association.  Two  years  later,  a 
Board  of  Publication  was  organized. 

J.  The  Board  at  Louisville,  Ky. 

The  following  report  was   adopted: 

Your  Committee,  appointed  to  report  on  the  subject  of  publishing 
and  disseminating  a  cheap  and  sound  Christian  literature  for  the 
spiritual  welfare  of  the  Church,  respectfully  submit  the  following 
report: 

They  unanimously  regard  such  an  enterprise  a.s  l)oth  desirable  and 
practicable.  They  are  fully  convinced  of  the  great  importance  of 
an  organization  for  the  above  object.  And,  that  it  may  the  better 
fulfill  the  objects  of  its  organization  and  gradually  win  its  way  and 
awaken   the  attention   of  the  Church   towards   it^    it  should   originate 


398  PART  r/.,  AGENCIES  OE  THE  ASSEMJUA'. 

in  the  action  of  tlie  General  Assembly,  and  be  an  institution  of  the 
whole  Church,  as  its  usefulness  would  be  proportioned  to  the  en- 
largement of  the  sphere  of  its  operations.  The  Committee  therefore 
recommend  the  General  Assembly  to  institute  a  Board  of  Publication 
to  operate  in  the  following  mode: 

Article  1.  The  basis  of  the  capital  raised  for  this  special  purpose 
shall  embody  both  the  permanent  fund  and  active  capital  system, 
leaving  it  to  the  will  of  the  donor  to  direct  in  which  way  his  dona- 
tion shall  be  employed. 

Article  2.  The  capital,  invested  and  active,  for  sustaining  the  safe 
and  efficient  working  of  the  plan  of  operations  shall  be  preserved  and 
used  by  an  incorporated  Board  of  Publication,  appointed  by  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly,  and  subject  to  its  control. 

Article  3.  This  Board  shall  be  styled  the  board  of  Pubiicatiou  of 
the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church. 

Article  4.  It  shall  consist  of  five  persons,  three  of  whom  shall  con- 
stitute a  quorum. 

Article  5.  The  members  of  the  Board  may  be  removed  at  the 
pleasure  of  the  Assembly.  Appointment;:  of  the  Board  to  fill  vacan- 
cies shall  expire  at  the  next  subsequent  meeting  of  the  Assembly, 
unless  confirmed  by  that  body. 

Article  6.  The  Board  sliall  appoint  its  own  officers  and  agents  and 
define  their  duties — binding  the  Treasurer  in  a  sufficient  bond  with 
ample  secmity. 

Article  7.  The  Board  shall  conduct  its  mercantile  and  fiscal  con- 
cerns on  the  cash  principle,  not  incurring  any  liabilities  above  its 
actual  means  of  liquidation.  The  Assembly's  relation  to  the  Board 
is  therefore  not  to  be  understood  as  creating  any  pecuniary  liabilities, 
whatever,   on   the   part  of  the   Assembly. 

Article  S.  As  sagacity  and  caution  are  alike  requisite  to  the  safe 
and  efficient  operation  of  the  Board,  the  principle  shall  be  assumed 
at  the  commencement  to  make  the  capital  productive,  and  the  pub- 
lications as  cheap  as  possible,  in  answering  the  ends  of  the  Board,  by 
providing   for    the    wants   of   the   Church. 

Article  9.  That  the  Board  may  the  better  enjoy  the  confidence  of 
the  Church,  it  shall  make  a  full  report  of  its  state  and  proceedings 
to  each  Assembly. 

Article  10.  The  profits  of  the  Board,  if  any,  shall  belong  to  the 
Assembly  exclusively,  and  shall  be  used  to  enlarge  the  operations  of 
the  Board,  or  otherwise  to  promote  the  good  of  the  whole  Church  as 
the  General   Assembly   may   direct. 

Article  11.  The  Board  may  commence  operations  when  it  obtains 
$1,500  for  active  use,  and  it  may  increase  its  capital  to  $50,000. 

Article  12.     The   funds   shall   be   raised    by 'voluntary   contributions. 

Article  13.  Subscriptions  may  be  received,  one-third  in  hand  and 
the  balance  in  two  equal  annual  installments. 


THE  BOARD  OF  PiJlLICWnON.  31)9 

Article  14.  The  General  Assembly  shall  appoint  an  Examining 
Committee  of  three^  who  shall  continue  in  olHce  from  one  General  As- 
sembly to  another,  and  until  successors  are  elected.  And  this  Com- 
mittee shall  be  separate  and  distinct  from  the  Board  of  Publication. 

Article  15.  All  the  publications  of  the  Board  shall  be  authorized 
by  the  Examining  Committee  or  the  General  As.sembly. 

Article  IG.  The  works  recommended  by  thei'  Committee  and  pub- 
lished by  the  Board,  are  not  on  that  account  to  be  regarded  as 
standard  works  of  the  Church,  unless  approved  as  such  by  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly. 

Article  17.  Persons  paying  $25.00  shall  be  honorary  members  of 
the  Board  for  ten  years,  and  the  payment  of  $50.00  or  a  larger  sum 
shall  constitute  an  honorary  life  member.  Honorary  members  shall 
be  enrolled  in  the  minutes  of  the  Board,  and  may  advise,  but  shall 
have  no  vote. 

Article  18.  This  constitution  may  be  revised  and  improved  by  a 
majority  of  two-thirds  of  the  General  Assembly. — 1847,  pp.  627-635, 
MSS. 

According  to  the  provisions  of  the  foregoing  articles,  the  follow- 
ing was  adopted: 

The  Committee,  appointed  to  nominate  suitable  persons  to  con- 
stitute the  Board  of  Publication  and  tiie  Committee  of  Examination, 
have,  after  much  deliberation,  concluded  to  recomraend  to  you,  for 
appointment,  the  following  breihren: 

Board  of  Publication. — Rev.  M.  Bird,  Rev.  L,.  .Jones,  Brothers  F.  E. 
McLean,  A.  M.  Phelps,  and  James  L.   Stratton. 

Committee  on  Examination. — Rev.  R.  Donnell,  T.  C.  Anderson,  and 
R.  Beard,  D.D.  Lee  Roy  Woods,  CliairiiKtu. 

—1847,  pp.  G69.  670,  MSS. 

"This  Board  located  its  work  at  Louisville,  Kentucky,  where  Milton 
Bird  lived,  and  who,  sooner  or  later,  was  President,  Corresponding 
Secretary,  Publishing  Agent,  Book  Editor,  and  Salesmr.n." — l/c/>o////o/(/, 
p.  579. 

In  1849  (Minutes,  p.  41),  the  Board  had  six  agents  soliciting  funds 
for  its  work.  The  second  annual  report  of  the  Publishing  Agent 
showed  that  books  had  been  sold  to  the  amount  of  $1,365.55. — 1849, 
p.  43. 

At  a  late  period  of  your  session,  a  report  from  the  Board  of  Pub- 
lication has  been  received  by  your  Comniittee,  which  is  herewith  sub- 
mitted. It  appears  from  said  report  that  the  interests  of  the  Board 
have  suffered  for  want  of  more  frequent  meetings,  which  arises  from 
the  organization  of  the  Board — the  members  of  it  residing  so  remotely 
from  each  other. 

Your  Committee  Avould   recommend,   by  way  of  remedy  for   this   in- 


■400  PART  /"/.,  ACIiXCIES  OF  THK  ASSEJf/.'LV. 

convenience,  that  the  General  Assembly  go  into  the  election  of  a 
member  of  said  Board,  in  place  of  Rev.  S.  M.  Aston,  whose  residence 
is  several  hundred  miles  from  Louisville. 

Your  Committee  would  recommend  Brother  S.  B.  Howard  as  a 
suitable  person  to  be  appointed,  but  by  no  means  wish  to  forestall  the 
action   of  the   General   Assembly. 

These  recommendations  were  adopted. — 1852,  pp.  54,  55. 

(1)   Cash  systkm  adoi'ted. 

Every  year's  experience  more  fully  demonstrates  the  necessity  of 
adhering  strictly  to  the  cash  principle  and  personal  responsibility. 
Any  other  mode  of  operation  would  inevitably  prove  ruinous. — 1853, 
pp.  20,  30. 

(2)  Book  DKPOsrroniKs. 

In  reference  to  depositories,  so  frequently  solicited  in  different  Pres- 
byteries, the  Board  is  fully  convinced  that  it  is  utterly  imprailicable 
to  make  them,  on   its  own   responsibility. 

It  would  be  safe  and  altogether  efficient  for  each  Presbytery,  on  its 
own  account  and  responsibility,  to  appoint  its  depositor  or  book  agent. 
The  Presbytery  appointing  its  depositor,  and  pledging  itself  for  the 
faiLhful  performance  of  his  contracts,  the  Board  could  honor  his 
orders,  accompanied  with  his  promissory  note,  executed  payable  to 
the  order  of  the  Board  within  sixty  days  from  the  date  of  fillins  the 
order,  the  Board  not  taking,  in  any  case,  returned  books  in  payment 
for  such  obligation. — 1850,   p.   33. 

The  Board  would  here  state  that,  in  its  best  judgment,  it  is  not 
practicable  for  it,  on  its  own  responsibility,  to  undertake  the  es- 
tablishment of  an  extended  system  of  branch  depositories.  The 
Board  is  fully  aware  that  it  is  important  to  have  depositories  at 
different  points  best  suited  to  the  distribution  of  our  publications. 
But  if  the  friends  of  the  cause  at  such  localities^  will  not  undertake 
the  work,  organize  and  raise  funds  for  the  purpose,  it  lies  not  in  the 
power  of  the  Board  to  do  it.  It  could  not  do  it  so  safely  and 
effectively  as  the  friends  of  our  book  and  tract  interest  couldj  and, 
as  we  hope  they  will,  at  such  localities  as  may  be  deemed  most 
suitable.  If  they  are  unwilling  to  do  it,  surely  they  cannot  expect 
the  Board  to  incur  the  liability,  by  undertaking  to  do  what  they 
have  not  the  means  to  accomplish;  and  which,  if  they  had  ample 
capital,  in  the  nature  of  relative  circumstances^  it  woul'd  be  neither 
safe  nor  reasonable   for   them   to   attempt. — 1853,   p.   30. 

The  Committee  recommend  that,  in  order  to  facilitate  the  sale  and 
circulation  of  the  books  published  by  your  Board,  deposits  may  be 
established  at  Nashville,  St.  Louis,  and  Brownsville,  or  at  any  other 
points,    as    soon    as    the    friends   of    the    Church    in    and    around   said 


Tin:  JJOAKD  OF  J'i'JUJCATIOX.  401 

cities  sliall  raibe  $40U,  or  as  much  move  as  they  may  deem  proper,  for 
the  Board,  wlien  said  amount  of  books  shall  be  deposited  at  said 
places;  and  that  J.  G.  White,  at  St.  Louis,  I.  N.  Gary,  at  Brownsville, 
and  A.  G.  Goodlett,  at  I>ashville,  be  authorized  to  raise  the  amount 
and  forward  to  the  Board,  make  order  for  books,  and  superintend 
deposits.     Adopted  by  the  Assembly. — 1853,  p.  37. 

(3)    COLLI'XTIO.NS   FOll      Pl ULICATIOX. 

The  Committee  recommend  that  each  Presbytery  be  earnestly  re- 
quested to  make  it  the  duty  of  each  minister  tO'  take  up  a  collection, 
annually,  in  the  congregation  to  v/hich  he  preaches,  to  be  forwarded 
to  the  Treasurer  of  the  Board  of  Publication  to  increase  the  capital  of 
said  Board;  also  that  the  Board  be  recommended  to  keep  one  or  more 
agents  to  raise  funds  for  said  Board.     Adopted. — iS53,  p.   37. 

(4)    EXAMIXIXG    COitMITTEE. 

The  Committee  recommend  that  the  Constitution  of  said  Board  of 
Publication  be  strictly  adhered  to,  and  that  the  appointment  of  an 
Examining  Committee  be  carefully  observed  at  the  time  specified  in 
said  Constitution,  and  that  the  Committee  be  so  located  that  they 
may,  on  short  notice,  confer  in  the  examination  of  any  manuscript 
which  may  be  presented  for  publication,  or  any  book  to  be  circulated 
by  said  Board.     Adopted. — 1853,  p.  37. 

(5)   Credit  svste.m. 

In  its  Eighth  Annual  Report  the  Board  of  Publication  said:  Our 
last  report  to  the  General  Assembly  shows  an  indebtedness  to  Morton 
&  Griswold,  publishers,  of  an  amount  over  $2,000.  The  outstanding 
dues  for  the  years  1852  and  1853,  were  reported  to  be  $1,898.61.  Stock 
in  books,  at  last  report,  $750. 

It  is  perhaps  due  the  Board,  to  state  that  our  liabilities  with 
Morton  &  Griswold  were  so  large,  from  the  fact  that  our  former 
Publishing  Agent  had  contracted  for  an  unusually  heavy  edition  of 
"Ewing's  Lectures,"  which  were  on  hand  in  sheets.  It  will  be  a  long 
time  before  the  edition  can  be  exhausted. 

The  Board  have  used  diligent  exertions  to-  collect  outstanding  dues, 
and  meet  our  liabilities  with  Messrs.  Morton  &  Griswold.  To  pay  off 
this  indebtedness  we  rely  alone  on  dues  for  books  sold  by  our  agent, 
L.  R.  Woods.  The  whole  claim  of  Morton  &  Griswold  at  present  on 
the  old  score  is  $1,312.70.  To  meet  this  we  have  in  possession  notes 
and  accounts  for  books,  sold  in  L.  R.  Woods'  agency,  the  sum  of 
$1,507.35,  the  most  of  which  is  available.  Could  this  be  realized,  the 
Board  could  have  on  hand,  after  paying  Morton  &  Griswold,  the  sum 
of  $194.05,  with  stock  in  books,  per  last  report,  $750.  and  own  stereo- 
type plates. — 1855,  p.  41. 
26 


402  PART  IV.,  .IGENCIF.S  OF  THF  ASSFMlll.Y. 

The  original  plan  of  operations  by  the  Publishing  Association,  as 
devised  by  tlie  General  Assembly,  was  to  do  business  only  on  the 
cash  system;  but  a  subsequent  Assembly  recommended  that  the  Board 
should  sell  the  books  to  responsible  purchasers,  on  credit.  The  Board, 
aft&r  experience  with  the  credit  system,  finding  that  it  would  soon 
disperse  and  exhaust  all  their  means,  and  result  in  the  ruin  of  the 
enterprise,  found  it  necessary  to  return  tO'  the  cash  system,  in  order 
to  preserve  the  remainder  of  the  assets  still  in  their  hands.  For  this, 
some  well-meaning  persons,  remembering  the  Assembly's  recommenda- 
tion, and  not  aware  of  the  reasons  governing  the  actions  of  the 
Board,  have  tliought  the  measure  not  only  unauthorized  but  unjust. 
Your  Committee,  having  investigated  the  case,  are  clearly  convinced 
that  a  return  to  the  cash  system  was  and  is  a  matter  of  imperious 
necessity;  and  would  recommend  that  this  General  Assembly  do 
sanction  and  approve  the  action  of  the  Board  in  the  premises. 
Adopted  by  the  Assembly.— 1856,  p.  46. 

(6)     ChAXGE     I.\    l.OCATIOX. 

The  Special  Committee  on  Publication  submitted  the  foUov/ing 
report : 

First.  The  necessity  of  a  supply  of  cheap  denominational  works 
seems  to  be  acknowledged  by  all.  It  is  a  want,  too,  which  must  be 
deeply  felt.  Thought  is  the  food  of  the  mind,  and  readinc  furnishes 
material  for  thought.  It  is  difficult  to  find  sufficient  inaterial  with- 
out reading.  In  order  to  reading  we  must  have  books.  The  masses 
of  the  people  do  not  read  many  nor  large  books.  A  cheap,  practical 
literature  is  better  suited  to  their  circumstances.  If  we  believe  the 
doctrines  of  our  own  Church  to  be  true,  we  ought  to  furnish  our  people 
with  such  works  as  will  contain  plain  and  scriptural  expositions  of 
those  doctrines. 

Second.  The  question  is,  How  is  this  want  tO'  be  supplied?  It  is 
very  evident  that  other  denominations  will  not  supply  it.  We  must 
supply  it  ourselves.  Ert  still  the  question  is.  How?  This  is  the 
great  difficulty  with  the  Committee.  AVe  have  had  a  plan  in  operation 
for  several  years,  but  from  some  cause  it  has  not  worked  well;  it 
must  therefore  be  abolished  or  modified.  In  regard  to  a  future  woi'k 
we  make  the  following  recommendations,  as  a  modification  of  the 
former  plan  of  publication: 

1.  The  General  Assembly  shall  appoint  a  committee  of  three,  who 
shall  be  styled  the  Committee  of  Publication.  The  members  of  this 
Committee  shall  be  located  contiguous  to  each  other,  so  that  they  can 
co-operate  without  difi^culty  or  embarrassment.  This  Committee 
shall  consist  of  practical  business  men,  who  are  known  to  be  devoted 
to  the  interests  of  the  Church. 

2.  This  Committee  shall  appoint  a  Financial  Agent,  who  shall  su- 
perintend the  publication  of  such  bool\s  as  the  Committee  may  direct. 


THE  BOARD  OF  PUBLIC.niON.  403 

attend  to  the  distribution  and  sale  of  them,  and  manage  generally  the 
fiscal  affairs  of  the  Committee. 

3.  The  Committee  shall  require  of  the  Agent  bond,  with  approved 
security,  for  the  faithful  discharge  of  his  duties,  and  for  the  faithful 
application  of  all  moneys  which  may  come  into  his  hands. 

4.  The  present  Board  of  Publication  shall  be  required  to  wind  up 
their  business,  and  hand  over  all  the  proceeds  to  the  Committee  of 
Publication,   or  their  Agent,    as   early   as   practicable. 

5.  The  Committee  shall  be  instructed  to  adopt  all  necessary  means 
for  raising  funds  by  subscription  or  otherwise  for  the  purpose  of 
carrying  forward  the  work  of  publication,  as  the  wants  of  the  Church 
may  require,  and  to  allow  the  Publishing  Agent  a  sufficient  salary 
to  justify  him  in  devoting  as  much  of  his  time  and  attention  to  the 
business  as  may  be  necessary  for   its  vigorous  prosecution. 

6.  All  moneys  donated  or  bequeathed  to  the  Church  for  the  pur- 
poses of  publication  shall  be  held  in  trust,  for  the  present,  by  the 
Committee  of  Publication,  and  used  by  the  General  Agent  under  their 
direction. 

7.  The  Committee  shall  be  required  to  report  annually  and  fully 
to  the  General  Assembly. 

8.  The  Committee  shall  not  involve  themselves  in  debt,  or  extend 
their  business  beyond  the  reasonable  and  practicable  means  under 
their  control. 

9.  The  members  of  the  Committee  shall  be  subject  to  removal  by  the 
General  Assembly,  and  shall  fill  vacancies  (subject  to  the  confirma- 
tion of  the  General  Assembly)  which  may  occur  in  their  body  during 
the  space  intervening  between  two  General  Assemblies. 

10.  The  Assembly  shall  appoint  seven  commissioners,  who  shall  be 
authorized  to  receive  propositions  from  various  points  with  a  view  to 
the  establishment  of  a  general  book  depository  and  store,  and  ulti- 
mately, if  the  prospects  should  justify,  a  house  of  publication. 

Richard     Beard, 

R.    Bl'RROW, 

M.  B.  Feemster, 
H.  B.  Warren, 
R.  L.  Carutiiers, 
A.    J.    Baird, 
MiLTOJV    Bird, 
Isaac   Shook, 

CoDiiiiiiUc. 

The  above  report  was  considered  item  by  item,  and,  on  motion,  was 
adopted.— 1858,  pp.  40,  41. 

Andrew  Allison,  Rev.  W.  E.  Ward,  and  Rev.  W.  M.  Reed,  of  Nash- 
ville, Tennessee,  were  appointed  the  Committee  of  Publication,  under 
the  first  resolution  in  the  report  of  the  Committee  on  that  subject,  and 


404  PART  VI.,  AGENCIES  OE  THE  ASSEMBLY. 

Ruling  Elder  R.  L.  Caruthers,  Rev.  H.  B.  Warren,  Ruling  Elder  G. 
W.  Fislier,  Ruling  Elder  A.  F.  Cox,  Rev.  Caleb  Weeden,  Rev.  J.  B. 
Logan,  and  Rev.  C.  A.  Davis  were  appointed  commissioners  under  the 
tenth  resolution  in  said  report.— 1S58,  pp.  41,  42. 

2.  The  Board  at  Nashville,  Tenn. 

The  Committee  on  Publication  submitted  the  following  as  their 
first  report  to  the  Assembly,  in  1859: 

As  soon  after  their  appointment  as  practicable,  the  Committee  of 
Publication  secured  the  services  of  Rev.  William  S.  Langdon,  as  Fi- 
nancial Agent.  Dr.  Langdon's  eminent  qualifications,  both  as  a  busi- 
ness man,  and  his  thorough  acquaintance  with  the  publishing  business, 
together  with  the  zeal  in  which  he  entered  upon  the  duties  of  this 
responsible  trust,  encouraged  the  Committee  to  believe  that  the  dif- 
ficulties which  seemed  to  surround  the  cause  would  vanish,  and  allow 
them,  without  embarrassment,  to  prosecute  the  important  work  con- 
fided to  their  hands.  The  agent  continued  in  the  field  two  months, 
and   resigned. 

The  following  is  the  result  of  his  labors: 

Si:  r  ri.KMKNT  wnii   the  oi,])  Boaki)  at  Lonsvii.i.i:. 

Publications  amounting  in  value  to  $641.73;  stereotype  plates  of  the 
Confession  of  Faith,  Fnfant  Philosophy,  Ewing's  Lectures,  Donnell's 
Thoughts,  Foreknowledge  and  Decrees,  by  Porter;  Catechism  and  New 
Catechism. 

The  condition  and  value  of  which  he  says  he  knows  nothing,  but 
does  not  suppose  them  of  much  value. 

List  of  accounts  in  the  aggregate  amounting  to  $847.10;  list  of  notes 
amounting  to  $1,572.24;  one  note  for  $200;  retained  by  the  Board  for 
collection  $2,619.40. 

The  Board  have  executed  their  note  to  Morton  &  Griswold,  of  Louis- 
ville, for  $318.69,  subject  to  a  reduction  of  whatever  amount  might 
be  received  by  them  from  a  note  of  $90  against  Rev.  A.  J.  McGown,  of 
Texas,  placed  in  their  hands  for  collection.  This  note  our  agent 
promised  to  pay  from  the  moneys  received  on  the  above  accounts  and 
notes   as    collected. 

An  effort  has  been  made  to  collect,  with  the  following  meagre  re- 
sult: 

On  notes,  $1,276.85;  on  accounts,  a  few  books  returned  in  a  dam- 
aged condition,  utterly  worthless. 

The  following  disbursements  have  been  made: 

On  note  of  Morton  &  Griswold $  64  00 

Agent's   salary   for   two   months 166  66 

Agent's  traveling  expenses 40  55 

Freight   on   desk   and   letter   press 6  00 


Tin-:  noARP  or  pl'blicatiox.  405 

Freight    on    books    from    Louisville 14  50 

Storage    at    Louisville 5  00 

Fitting    up    room    at    Nashville 12  00 

Expenses  of  Rev.   Dr.   Beard   incurred   in  his  labors 

on  the  hymn  book 12  Ot) 

Total $320  71 

On  ordering  from  Louisville  the  books,  material,  etc.,  belonging  to 
the  Board,  but  made  subject  to  our  order  by  the  last  Assembly,  we 
have  received: 

Donnell's  Thoughts,  in  muslin,  900  copies;  Social  Harp,  in  sheep,  254 
copies;  Astronomical  Sermons,  muslin,  50  copies;  Infant  Philosophy, 
muslin,  94  copies;  Ewing's  Lectures,  muslin,  472  copies;  Ewing's 
Lectures,  in  roan  embossed,  12  copies;  Ewing's  Lectures,  roan  em- 
bossed gilt,  70  copies;  Life  and  Times  of'  Ewing,  muslin,  8  copies; 
Memoir  of  Jones  and  Irvin,  muslin,  15  copies;  Noel's  Memoir  and 
Sermons,  muslin,  28  copies;  Confession  of  Faith,  sheep,  90  copies;  Con- 
fession of  Faith,  roan  embossed,  95  copies;  Confession  of  Faith,  mor- 
rocco  exti'a  gilt,  47  copies. 

Some  smaller  works  of  brethren,  most  of  w^hich  are  in  damaged 
condition.  Only  the  stereotype  plates  of  the  Catechism  have  come  to 
hand. 

We  have  made  diligent  effort,  but  have  so  far  failed  to  secure  the 
services  of  any  one  as  Financial  Agent.  The  office  has  been  vacant 
since  Dr.  Langdon  resigned. 

The  copy  of  the  revised  Hymn  Book  came  Into  our  hands  in  January 
last.  It  was  expected  by  the  Assembly  that  the  work  should  be 
stereotyped.  In  all  the  publishing  houses,  North,  South,  East,  and 
West,  With  which  we  correspond,  the  cash  was  indispensable  in  this 
part  of  the  work.  We  were  without  funds,  poor  and  needy^  and  were 
compelled  either  to  defer  the  publication  oi  the  Hymn  Book  until 
after  the  meeting  of  the  Assembly  or  to  negotiate  a  loan  of  about 
$1,000  to  invest  as  so  much  capital  in  the  concern,  trusting  to  the 
enlightened  liberality  of  the  Church.  We  chose  the  latter,  believing 
that   your   Reverend    Body   would   approve   of   the   decision. 

The  Hymn  Book  would  now  have  been  ready  for  delivery  but  for 
an  unfortunate  delay  in  the  progress  of  the  work,  occasioned  by  the 
necessity  of  a  thorough  revision  of  the  index  of  subjects.  We  will 
be  prepared  to  fill  orders  on  our  return  to  the  place  of  publication. 

We  have  received,  during  the  year,  $104.36,  nearly  all  of  which  is 
to  be  returned   in  Hymn  Books. 

We  have  already  paid  out  for  stereotyping $515.42 

Incidentals  in  proof  room 28  37 

Total $543  79 


406  PANT  I'/..  A(;/:xci/':s  oj'  the  assemuly. 

We  present  to  the  Assembly  specimens  of  the  24mo  book  in  boards, 
with  all  the  various  styles  of  binding  from  the  publishing  house,  in 
which  we  propose  to  present  the  two  editions  to  the  Church. 

W.  M.  Reed, 

W.    E.    WAxiD, 

And.     Aklisox, 
('uiiniiifft  (■  (if  Pithlicatioii. 
Nashville,  Tenn.,  May  14,  1359.  —1859,  pp.  57-59. 

Your  Commissioners,  appointed  by  the  last  General  Assembly,  to 
receiA^e  propositions  with  a  view  to  the  establishment  of  a  general 
book  depository  and  store,  submit  the  following: 

That  no  proposition  has  been  received  by  your  Commissioners,  ex- 
cept the  following  from  Brother  A.  F.  Cox,  which  we  herewith  submit, 
and  is  as  follows: 

Buethre.n:  In  view  of 'the  absence  of  any  proposition  for  the  es- 
tablishment of  a  'General  Book  Depository  and  Store,"  as  contem- 
plated by  the  action  of  the  last  General  Assembly,  I  submit  the  fol- 
lowing: 

I  propose  to  establish  at  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  "a  General  Book  Depository 
and  Store"  for  the  works  of  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Cumberland 
Presbyterian  Church;  and  publish,  on  my  own  pecuniary  responsibility 
and  I'isk,  the  works  of  the  Church  from  the  stereotype  plates  belonging 
to  the  Church,  and  pay  to  the  proper  authority  of  the  Assembly  the 
usual  publisher's  tax  for  the  use  o£  the  copyrights  owned  by  the 
Church. 

As  technical  terms  are  not  familiar  to  all,  I  will  illustrate  by  taking 
our  Hymn  Book.  The  wholesale  price  of  the  book  is  37%  cents.  On 
each  copy  of  this  book  which  I  would  publish,  the  usual  copyright  tax 
of  10  per  cent  would  be  3%  cents;  and  in  like  manner  a  specific  tax 
on  each  book  published  would  be  paid  to  the  General  Assembly's  fund 
without  any  risk  of  publishing  or  investing  of  capital  for  that  purpose 
by  the  General  Assembly  or  her  agents. 

And  for  the  faithful  performance  of  any  contract  I  may  enter  into 
arising  from  the  proposition,  I  will  give  good  and  sufficient  security; 
provided  that  the  arrangements  shall  not  be  for  a  term  of  less  than 
five  years.  Respectfully  submitted, 

H.  B.  Wakuen, 
J.   B.   Logan, 
A.   F.  Cox. 

—1859,  p.   97. 
(1)   The  Boaui)  iNcoitronATEi). 

The  following  is  from  the  Report  of  the  Committee  of  Publication, 
1860: 

The  last  Legislature  of  Tennessee  passed  an  act  incorporating  your 
Committee  under  the  name  and  style  of  the  "Board  of  Publication  of 


THE  IlOAh'n  OF  PUBLICATION.  407 

the  Cumbeiiand  Presbyterian  Church,"  giving  power  to  the  Assembly 
to  change  the  name,  in  view  of  which  your  Committee  would  suggest 
that  the  Assembly  change  the  name  from  the  "Committee  of  Pub- 
lication" to  that  of  "The  Board  of  Publication  of  the  Cumberland 
Presbyterian  Church." — 1860,  p.   53. 

Your  Committee,  to  whom  was  referred  the  Report  of  the  Publish- 
ing Committee,  have  examined  that  document,  not  only  v.'ith  care, 
but  with  interest  and  satisfaction,  with  sentiments  of  commendation, 
and  hearty  approval,  for  the  following  reasons: 

1.  The  report  is  clear,  perspicuous,  and  full. 

2.  It  is  specific  and  definite. 

3.  As  such  it  is  illustrative,  in  a  very  satisfactory  degree,  of  the 
practicability  of  the  great  and  important  enterprise  of  which  it  may 
be  considered  the  initiative. 

Entering,  without  capital,  upon  a  work,  the  very  nature  of  which 
weds  it  indissolubly  to  money,  with  the  mere  wreck  of  the  former 
establishment  as  the  only  basis,  your  Committee  have  supplied,  to  a 
very  considerable  extent,  the  immediate,  pressing  wants  of  the  Church. 

The  full  and  satisfactory  manifesto  furnished  in  the  report  will 
better  illustrate  the  subject  than  any  mere  extracts,  however  full  they 
might  be  made. 

It  will  be  seen  in  the  reading  of  the  report  that  an  act  of  incorpo- 
ration has  been  passed  by  the  Legislature  of  the  State  of  Tennessee, 
granting  the  liberty  of  changing  the  name,  which  we,  together  with 
the  Committee,  recommend  to  be  done,  by  substituting  the  word 
■"Board"   for   the   word    "Committee."     Adopted. — 1860.    pp.    65,    66. 

The  following  preamble  and  resolution  were  adopted  by  the  As- 
sembly: 

ir//c/Tf/v,  The  General  Assembly  of  1847  proceeded  to  create  a  Board 
of  Publication,  which  was  incorporated  by  the  State  Legislature  of 
Kentucky,  February  18,  1848;  and,  whereas,  said  Board  still  exists, 
clothed  with  all  the  authority  given  and  granted  by  the  Assembly  and 
said  Legislature;  and,  whereas,  the  same  General  Assembly  did  in 
1858  create  a  Publishing  Committee,  clothed  upon  with  all  the  au- 
thority of  the  Board  incorporated  in  1848;  and,  whereas,  said  Com- 
mittee was  incorporated  by  the  State  Legislature  of  Tennessee  in  1860; 
and,  whereas,  these  boards  respectively  exist  alike  by  the  action  of 
the  Assembly,  the  one  chartered  in  Kentucky,  the  other  in  Tennessee; 
and,  whereas,  there  exists  no  necessity  for  more  than  one  Board; 

Resolved,  thcrrforr,  Thai  while  we  have  full  confidence  in  the  noral 
integrity  of  the  older  Board,  but  seeing  that  they  were  laboring 
under  an  embarrassment  of  a  pecuniary  character,  over  which  they  had 
no  control,  and  seeing  that  they  have  respectfully,  to  the  full  measure, 
complied  with  the  action  of  this  Assembly  in  1858,  requesting  them 
to  hand  over  to  the  General  Assembly's  Committee  all  and  everything 


408  PART  /■/..  AGENCIES  OE  THE  ASSEMBLY. 

belonging  to  the  Board,  which  is  hereby  acknowledged;  we,  tlierefore, 
most  respectfully  reauest  and  order  said  Board  to  surrender  their 
charter  to  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Commonwealth  of  Kentucky, 
and,  as  brethren  in  their  individual  capacities,  to  assist  in  sustaining 
the  Board  created  in  I860.— 1860,  p.  US. 

(2)   Cash  system   adoti  kd. 

The  following  is  from  the  Report  of  the  COmmiUee  of  Publica- 
tion, submitted  in  1860: 

It  has  been  the  policy  of  your  Committee  not  to  go  in  debt,  nor 
to  distribute  the  books  over  the  land  in  the  hands  of  agents.  They 
have,  therefore,  required  cash,  or  its  equivalent,  in  nearly  all  cases, 
before  shipping  the  books.  In  only  a  very  few  cases  have  they  de- 
viated from  this  policy,  and  then  only  by  becoming  themselves 
responsible.  By  such  a  policy  they  have  been  able  to  meet  all  their 
debts  as  they  accrued,  and  to  maintain  the  credit  of  the  Church. 

Your  Committee  believe,  from  the  past  history  of  our  Church,  as 
well  as  from  the  history  of  other  Churches,  which  they  have  taken 
the  trouble  to  investigate,  that  the  policy  of  publishing  books  and 
scattering  them  broadcast  over  the  country,  in  the  hands  of  agents 
to  sell  on  commission,  is  ruinous,  and  will,  if  persisted  in,  result 
fatally  to  the  publishing  interests  of  any  Church.— 1860,  p  52. 

COM.MITTKK    OF    Pf  1:1. 1(  A  TH)  \     A  I'l'Ol  N  1  F  1  >. 

The  Committee  on  the  Board  of  Publication  submitted  the  following 
report,  which  was  adopted: 

We  have  had  no  report  from  ihe  Board  of  Publication,  consequently 
are  without  data  from  which  to  report  the  condition  of  the  Board. 
We  learn,  indirectly,  that  the  Board  fully  intended  to  be  represented 
in  this  body,  and  make  a  report  to  this  Assembly,  but  they  have 
failed  to  do  so.  Your  Committee  scarcely  know  what  recommenda- 
tions to  make  that  would  meet  the  approbation  of  the  Assembly  and 
Church.  The  Church  is  suffering  in  many  localities  for  want  of  our 
own  publications.  This  is  not  attributable  to  any  want  of  system 
to  supply  the  wants  of  the  Church,  but  from  the  unfortunate  con- 
dition of  the  Board. 

In  view  of  these  facts,  your  Committee  recommend  that  you  appoint 
five  persons  to  be  a  Committee  of  Publication,  to  confer  and  act  with 
the  Board  of  Publication,  provided  such  conference  and  jo-int  action 
can  be  had;  but,  in  case  it  cannot,  they  think  it  best  that  they  act 
independently,  as  a  Publishing  Committee,  until  the  meeting  of  the 
next  General  Assembly,  to  which  they  shall  report. — 1862,  pp.  54,  55. 

The  Committee  provided  for  in  the  above  report  was  appointed,  and 
is  as  follows:  E.  K.  Squier,  M.  Bird.  A.  B.  Brice.  Ovid  Lutz,  and  D. 
R.  Bennett.     Adopted.— 1862,  p.  39. 


THE  nOAh-J^  OF  Pl'BLICAriON.  401) 

The  Committee  on  Publication  submitted  tlie  following,  which  was 
adopted : 

We  find  that  there  has  been  no  report  to  this  Assembly  from  your 
Board  of  Publication,  the  last  two  years. 

You  appointed  a  Committee  one  year  ago  to  look  after  your  pub- 
lishing interests  at  Nashville,  Tennessee,  but  that  Committee,  up  to 
this  time,  has  not  been  able  to  do  anything  by  way  of  supplying  the 
Church  with  your  publications.  The  wants  of  the  churches  in  the 
meantime  have  been  increased  daily,  but  our  congregations  are  with- 
out the  means  of  supplying  themselves  with  the  publications  of  our 
Church. 

Your  Committee  is  deeply  impressed  with  the  importance  of  making 
immediate  provision  for  supplying  our  people  with  Hymn  Books,  Con- 
fessions of  Faith,  and  Catechisms:  the  insufficiency  of  your  present 
Board  being  so  great,  your  Committee  are  of  opinion  that  the  best 
policy  would  be  for  this  Assembly  to  appoint  a  Committee  of  Pub- 
lication, to  be  composed  of  the  following  named  persons,  to-wit:  Rev. 
S.  T.  Stewart,  Samuel  Morrow,  Alexander  Fostly,  T.  C.  Lazear,  and 
Joseph  Pennock.  said  Committee  to  be  located  at  Pittsburg,  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  authorized  to  employ  such  means  and  measures  as  may  be 
made  available  to  them  by  donation,  bequest,  or  otherv/ise,  to  supply 
the  demands  of  our  denomination  for  books,  and  report  their  pro- 
ceedings and  labors  to  the  next  General  Assembly. 

We  Avould  further  recommend  that  a  Special  Committee  of  the  two 
following  named  brethren,  Rev.  P.  G.  Rea  and  Rev.  L.  Lack,  be  ap- 
pointed to  go  to  Nashville  as  soon  as  convenient,  and  obtain,  if  prac- 
ticable, the  books  and  plates  under  the  management  of  the  Board  of 
Publication,  belonging  to  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,  and 
place  them  at  the  disposal  of  the  Committee,  located  at  Pittsburg, 
Pennsylvania,  and  that  the  General  Assembly  provide  for  the  ex- 
penses of  the  Special  Committee  incurred  in  its  trip  to  and  from  Nash- 
ville.—1863,  p.  ST. 

3.  The  Board  at  Pittsburg,  Pa. 

The  following  is  from  the  first  report  of  the  Committee  of  Publica- 
tion, 1864: 

The  Committee  appointed  by  your  Reverend  Body,  during  its  sit- 
ing in  the  city  of  Alton,  Illinois,  met  as  per  appointment,  on  the  10th 
day  of  June,  1863,  in  the  First  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,  in 
Pittsburg,  Pennsylvania,  and  constituted  by  pi'ayer.  Members  present, 
Samuel  Morrow,  Alexander  Postly,  and  S.  T.  Stewart.  Absent,  Joseph 
Pennock  and  T.  C.  Lazear.  The  Committee  then  adjourned  to  meet  on 
the  24th  of  June,  ct  7  o'clock  p.m. 

On  the  24th  of  June,  the  Committee  met,  according  to  adjournment. 


410  PART  /'/..  A(;i:XCIES  OF  THE  ASSEMBLY. 

and  organized  by  the  election  of  Joseph  Pennock,  Chairman,  and  S. 
T.  Stewart,  Financial  Agent  and  Secretary. 

Your  Committee  learned  from  a  letter  from  Rev.  P.  G.  Rea,  in  June, 
the  condition  of  the  Board  of  Publication,  then  located  at  Nashville, 
Tennessee.  They  thought  it  the  better  plan  to  send  out  a  circular 
to  ministers  and  churches,  calling  for  money  to  assist  them  to  do  the 
work  of  their  appointment. 

A  few  brethren  and  churches  responded  to  their  call  by  furnishing 
$1,2SG  to  aid  in  getting  the  property  belonging  to  the  Church,  from 
Nashville.  The  Financial  Agent  and  Secretary  of  the  Committee  en- 
deavored to  conduct  correspondence  with  persons  in  Nashville,  in  order 
to  get  the  books  belonging  to  your  Church  to  Pittsburg,  but  no  answer 
to  any  inquiry  made  could  be  had.  In  the  meantime  the  Committee 
was  urged  by  many  persons  to  borrow  the  amount  necessary  to  pay 
off  the  amount  of  liabilities  against  the  old  Board  at  Nashville.  This 
the  Committee  were  unwilling  to  do;  but,  finding  the  Church  at  large 
would  not  furnish  the  means  to  do  the  work,  they  advanced  their 
own  money,  and  sent  the  Financial  Agent  to  Nashville,  to  make  a 
settlement  with  the  old  Board,  pay  off  its  indebtedness,  and  remove 
the  stock  to  Pittsburg.  The  Agent  went  to  Nashville  on  the  22d  of 
November,  1863,  found  books  and  stereotype  plates  belonging  to  the 
Church,  amounting  to  between  fifty-five  and  fifty-eight  hundred  dol- 
lars. The  property  was  in  such  a  confused  state,  and  scattered  over 
the  floor  of  a  large  building,  that  it  was  entirely  impossible  for  the 
Agent  to  get  a  correct  invoice  of  the  stock. 

The  Agent  found  an  indebtedness  against  the  Board  of  Publication 
at  Nashville,  amounting  to  $2,251.1)9,  which  he  was  compelled  to  settle 
before  we  could  i-emove  the  property.  We  met  with  Rev.  W.  E.  Ward, 
the  only  remaining  member  of  the  Board  at  Nashville,  and  effected 
a  full  settlement  with  him,  and  with  the  house  holding  the  claim 
against  our  property,  obtaining  receipts  in  full  of  final  settlement. 
The  Agent  then  succeeded  in  removing  the  entire  stock  of  books  and 
plates,  belonging  to  the  Church,  from  Nashville  to  Pittsburg.  The 
entire  cost  of  getting  the  books  and  plates  to  Pittsbui-g  was  $2,568.84. 
Nearly  $1,400  of  this  amount  was  furnished  by  the  Committee  of 
Publication. 

We  received  the  books,  plates,  etc.,  in  Pittsburg,  on  the  first  of  Janu- 
ary of  the  present  year.  Since  that  time  the  sales  have  amounted  to 
$1,800.  The  Committee  have  had  2,000  Hymn  Books,  500  Confessions 
of  Faith,  and  2,000  Catechisms  published,  nearly  all  of  which  are  sold; 
and  we  have  ordered   2,000  more  Hymn   Books  published. 

The  Committee  have  adopted  the  cash  system.  We  pay  the  cash 
for  all  work  done,  and  demand  the  cash  before  we  fill  any  order.  So 
that  the  Assembly  may  rest  assured  that  the  Committee  will  not  run 
the  concern  in  debt.  We  intend  it  shall  be  a  paying  institution.  The 
advance   in   the   price   of   everything   connected  "with   the    manufacture 


Tin-:  noAKP  of  pii-jjcatiox.  \\\ 

of  books  will  force  the  Committee  to  advance  the  prices  of  our  pub- 
lications in  the  future.  T'p  to  this  date  we  have  sold  all  our  publi- 
cations at  the  old  prices,  except  the  five  per  cent  government  tax  we 
had  to  pay  to  get  a  permit  in  Nashville  to  remove  the  stocks. — 1864. 
pp.  161,  162. 

To  iJic  (jciirrdi  J.s-.sr////*///  (if  ilic  <  {iiiiJxi'hiiid   J'rcsliifici  iaii    ('Ininli,   in    .s'r.s- 
(s'loii  at  Lrhaiion.  Oh  in.  Mai/  24,  1884: 

The  undersigned,  appointed  a  committee  by  the  last  General  As- 
sembly, to  look  after  its  publishing  interests  in  Nashville.  Tennessee, 
would  state  that  they  left  St.  Louis  on  the  third  day  of  June,  last,  and 
arrived  in  Louisville  on  the  same  evening. 

Owing  to  the  existence  of  a  military  order,  prohibiting  any  per- 
sons being  permitted  to  go  to  Nashville,  except  citizens,  tliey  were 
detained  in  Louisville  two  days.  Having  procured  a  special  permit 
from  General  Rosecrans'  headquarters  by  telegraph,  they  proceeded  on 
the  6th  of  June  to  Nashville.  Rev.  W.  E.  Ward,  the  only  member  of 
the  Publishing  Board  in  the  city,  received  us  kindly  and  brotherly, 
and  at  once  offered  us  all  the  means  in  his  power  to  facilitate  our  work. 
We  soon  found  two  difficulties  in  the  way  of  removing  the  Church 
property  from  Nashville.  First,  the  stereotype  plates  belonging  to  the 
Church  were  embraced  in  the  libel  plea  in  the  District  Court  of  the 
United  States,  for  this  District  of  Middle  Tennessee,  in  a  suit  for 
confiscation  of  property,  brought  against  the  Publishing  House  of  the 
M.  E.  Church,  South. 

We  finally  succeeded,  through  the  Clerk  of  the  Court,  an  elder  in 
our  Church,  in  getting  the  claims  of  the  United  States  against  our 
plates  set  aside. 

But  a  second  difliculty  presented  itself,  and  that  was  the  claims  of 
the  Publishing  House,  and  of  other  parties  against  the  Board  of  Pub- 
lication. The  precise  amount  of  these  claims  has  been  stated  to  Rev. 
S.  T.  Stewart,  Financial  Agent  of  the  Publishing  Committee.  Finding 
it  out  of  our  power  to  remove  this  difficulty,  we  proceeded  to  take  an 
invoice  of  all  the  property  of  our  Church  that  we  could  find  in  Nash- 
ville, or  held  by  our  Publishing  Board,  and  hereby  submit  said  invoice 
and  make  it  a  part  of  our  report.     Respectfully. 

P.  G.  Rea, 
F.   Lack. 

—1864,  p.  157. 

The  following  report  of  the  Committee  on  Publication  was  adopted 
by  the  Assembly: 

The  time  is  upon  us  as  a  Church,  when  a  religious  literature  stands 
next  in  importance  and  efficiency  for  good  to  the  pulpit.  It  is  now 
too  late  to  stop  to  inquire  if  men  will  read.  This  question  has  long 
since  been  answered  by  the  thousands  of  printing  presses  of  our  land, 
in  throwing  a  countless  number  of  books,  pamphlets,  and  newspapers 


412  PAR  J'  /■/.,  AGEXCIES  OF  THE  ASSEMJiLY. 

upon  the  country.  The  Church  must  satisfy  this  thirst  lor  knowledge 
by  giving  good  books,  or  else  the  demand  will  be  supplied  with  bad 
ones.  \ou  have  accomplished  much  in  the  past,  but  you  can  and 
should  dO'  more  in  the  future.  The  want  of  a  more  extensive  literature 
must  be  deeply  felt  by  the  whole  Church,  and  it  is  a  humiliating  trutii 
that  we,  as  a  denomination,  are  very  greatly  dependent  upon  other 
ecclesiastical  bodies  for  reading  matter.  This  want  of  a  more  satis- 
factory literature,  has,  in  a  great  degree,  been  occasioned  by  the  un- 
fortunate state  of  the  country,  rendering  the  Board  of  Publication,  lo- 
cated at  Nashville,  Tennessee,  inoperative,  and,  by  the  great  embar- 
rassments thrown  around  the  Committee  of  Publication^  located  at 
Pittsburg,  Pennsylvania,  since  the  matter  has  been  in  their  hands. 
From  a  careful  examination  of  documents  before  the  Committee,  fur- 
nished by  Rev.  S.  T.  Stewart,  we  feel  justified  in  stating  that  the 
Committee,  appointed  by  the  Assembly,  to  take  charge  of  the  whole 
concern,  have  acted  with  energy  and  zeal  in  furnishing  the  Church 
with  our  denominational  books.  The  statements  before  the  Committee 
show  the  publi.'^hing  concern  of  our  Church  to  be  in  the  following 
financial   condition: 

Amount  of    stock    brought    from     Nashville,    Ten- 
nessee, January   1,   1864 $2,397  97 

Paid    out   foi"   indebtedness   of   old    Board,    govern- 
ment   tax,    transportation,    etc 2, .570  34 

Leaving   the   Book   concern   in   debt,    at   the   above 
date,    to    the   amount   of 130  37 

The  report  of  the  Committee  now  i-hows  that  the 

value  of  books  on   hand   is 1,272     26 

The  amount  of  indebtedness  for  borrowed  money..      839  96 

Balance   in    favor    of    the     Book    concern     to    the 
amount   of $    432  30 

All   stereotype   plates   in   the  hands   of   the   Commit- 
tee worth $1,300  00 

You  v/ill  see  from  this  financial  statement  that  our  book  inierests, 
by  judicious  management,  may  soon  be  made  a  paying-  institution  to 
the  Church. 

Your  Committee  have  had  much  difficulty  in  determining  as  to  the 
best  and  safest  course  to  be  adopted  by  the  Assembly,  in  the  future 
management  of  this  branch  of  our  Church  enterprise.  We  have  had 
a  preposition  before  us  from  Rev.  S.  T.  Stewart,  to  take  the  whole  of 
our  publishing  interests  into  his  own  hands,  agreeing,  upon  his  part, 
to  furnish  the  Church  with  all  her  several  publications  for  which 
you  have  plates.  Also,  agreeing  to  keep  said  plates  insured  for  their 
use,  obligating  himself  to  furnish  our  books  to  our  people  at  corre- 
sponding rates  for  similar  works  furnished  by  the  Presbyterian  Board 
of  Publication,  the  proceeds  of  ^-aid  publication  to  be  his.     After  d\ily 


THE  BOAR  J)  OF  PUBLICATION.  413 

considering  tliis  proposition,  tlie  Committee  do  not  feel  justified  in 
recommending  its  acceptance  by  the  Assembly,  but  would  most 
respectfully  recommend  the  following  for  your  adoption: 

1.  That  the  present  Publishing  Committee,  located  at  Pittsburg, 
Pennsylvania,  be  so  changed  as  to  be  composed  of  the  following  named 
persons:  I.  N.  Carey,  S.  T.  Stewart,  and  Alexander  Postly;  said  Com- 
mittee to  have  power  to  act  in  all  matters  connected  with  our  pub- 
lishing interests,  as  a  Permanent  Committee,  and  make  a  full  re- 
port of  their  doings  to  the  General  Asb-embly  of  the  Cumberland  Pres- 
byterian Church,  annually. 

2.  We  recommend  that  said  Committee  be  directed  to  make  arrange- 
ments (.if  possible)  to  have  our  books  kept  in  some  one  of  the  book- 
stores in  Pittsburg,  Pennsylvania,  and  that  the  proprietor  of  said  store 
attend  to  the  filling  of  all  orders,  and  the  sale  of  books. 

.3.  In  view  of  the  fact  that  it  is  desirable  ihat  the  number  of  our 
books  should  increase,  and  also  that  these  books  should  be  in  har- 
mony with  the  doctrines  of  our  Church,  we  recommend  the  appoint- 
ment of  the  following  named  persons,  as  a  Committee  to  examine  all 
manuscripts  prepared  for  publication  by  the  Committee:  Rev.  Dr. 
Miller,  of  Pennsylvania,  Dr.  Campbell,  of  Ohio,  Dr.  Anderson,  of  Penn- 
sylvania. It  should  be  the  duty  of  this  Committee  to  examine  with 
care  all  works  proposed  for  publication,  and  if  found  worthy,  recom- 
mend them  to  the  Committee  for  publication,  so  that  they  may  be 
placed  among  the  permanent  works  of  our  Church. — ^1865,  pp.  192-194. 

The  following  is  a  part  of  the  Board's  Report  to  the  Assembly,  1S66: 

The  undersigned  Board,  created  by  your  Body,  at  its  meeting  in  1865, 
owing  to  the  absence  of  one  of  its  members,  did  not  organize  until  .June 
19,  1865.  Then  they  organized  by  the  appointment  of  Rev.  I.  N. 
Carey,  President,  Alexander  Postly,  Esq.,  Treasurer,  and  Rev.  S.  T. 
Stewart,  Secretary. 

The  Board  then  proceeded  to  make  arrangements  (according  to  the 
directions  of  the  last  General  Assembly)  to  place  our  entire  stock  of 
books  in  the  hands  o'f  a  responsible  book-merchant  of  the  city,  which 
arrangement  they  were  unable  to  consummate  until  the  7th  of  Sep- 
tember, 18G5,  up  to  which  time  the  business  /what  little  there  was 
done)  was  transacted  by  Rev.  S.  T.  Stewart,  former  Financial  Agent 
of  the  Board. 

The  entire  stock  of  books  was,  at  the  above  date,  placed  in  the  hands 
of  Davis,  Clark  &  Co.,  of  Pittsburg,  Pennsylvania,  on  the  following 
terms,  viz.:  the  firm  receiving  the  entire  stock  of  books  on  hand,  and 
all  other  books  which  should  be  published  by  the  Board,  at  retail 
prices,  and  account  to  the  Board  monthly  (if  desired)  at  30  per  cent 
discount,  the  Board  being  at  no  further  expense. 

They  also  instructed  Davis  to  make  his  sales  to  ministers,  by  the 
quantity,   at   20   per   cent    discount,     and     to     merchants    buying   large 


411  PART  /■/.,  AGKXCULS  OF  fJIJ-   ASSJIMJJIA'. 

quantitiea,  at  :i5  per  cent  discount.  This  is  tiie  same  discount  tliat 
was  given  by  the  Presbyterian  JDoard,  wliile  our  retail  prices  are  be- 
low the  prices  of  their  worlis  .of  the  same  size. 

So  soon  as  the  Board  was  organized,  they  took  steps  to  carry  out 
the  .instructions  of  the  General  Assembly  in  procuring  a  charter.  A 
petition  was  presented  to  the  Court  of  Allegheny  County,  praying 
an  act  of  incorporation,  when  we  were  informed  that  the  Court  had 
not  the  power  to  incorporate  said  Board,  and  that  application  would 
have  to  be  made  to  the  Legislature  of  the  State.  The  Legislature 
not  being  in  session,  delay  waa  inevitable.  During  the  time  of  de- 
lay, one  of  the  members  of  the  Board,  Rev.  S.  T.  Stewart,  moved  to 
the  State  of  New  York,  thus  making  it,  according  to  the  laws  of 
Pennsylvania,  impossible  for  us  to  use  liis  name  in  the  Board  to  be 
incorporated.  The  remaining  members  of  the  Board  substituted  the 
name  of  E.  W.  Morrow,  a  member  of  the  Pittsburg  congregation,  and  a 
worthy   business  man. 

On  the  19th  of  March,  18G6,  the  charter  was  secured,  a  copy  of  which 
the    Board    would   herewith    present    for    your    approval. 

The  Board  organized  under  the  charter  March  23d,  1866;  I.  N.  Carey, 
President,  A.  Postly,  Treasurer,  and  E.  W.  Morrow,  Clerk. — 1866,  pp. 
73-75. 

The  following  report  of  the  Committee  on  Publication  was  adopted 
by  the  Assembly,  18G7: 

We  have  had  submitted  to  us  the  report  of  the  Board  of  Publica- 
tion at  Pittsburg,  witli  accompanying  papers,  giving  a  statement  and 
inventory  of  the  effects  of  the  Board,  on  the  13th  day  of  May,  1867. 
After  careful  investigation  of  these  papers,  we  mean  no  gratuitoti.s 
compliment  when  we  express  the  opinion  that  the  brethren  composing 
this  Board  are  entitled  to  the  gratitude  of  the  Church  for  the  energy 
and  faithfulness  with  which  they  have  devoted  tiiemselves  to  the  in- 
terest of  this  important  enterprise. 

But  v.'hile  we  with  pleasure  recognize  and  commend  the  liberality, 
zeal,  and  efficiency  of  the  present  Board,  w'e  regre.t  that  we  are  com- 
pelled to  report  that  desired  success  has  not  been  realized  in  their 
efforts  to  circulate  the  publications  of  the  Chtu'ch.  This  want  of  suc- 
cess has  resulted,  as  your  Committee  believe,  from  two  causes:  First. 
The  location  of  the  Board  is  far  removed  from  the  great  body  of  our 
people,  and  it  has  therefore  failed  to  command  that  sympathy  and 
co-operation  necessary  to  its  success,  and  labored  under  embarrass- 
ments which  could  not  be  overcome.  Second:  The  plan  under  vrhich 
the  Board  operated,  by  direction  and  approval  of  the  Assembly,  ha.s 
proven  itself  to  be  radically  deficient,  and  imperatively  demands  a 
change. 

In  view  of  all  the  above  facts  we  respectfully  recommend  for  your 
adoption   the   following   resolutions: 


THE  nuARP  ('/•■  }>U1:LICATI0X.  415 

1st.  That  the  Board  of  Publication,  located  at  Nabliville,  Teuuessee, 
be  and  the  same  is  hereby  reorganized,  to  be  cotuposeu  of  Rev.  A.  J. 
Baird,  D.D.,  Rev.  L.  C.  Ransom,  and  Ruling  Elder  D.  C.  Love,  who 
shall  resume  business  under  the  original  charcer  from  the  Legis- 
lature of  the  State  of  Tennessee,  and  a  constitution  and  plan  of  their 
own  adoption,  which  shall  be  submitted  to  the  next  Assembly  for  its 
approval. 

2d.  That  said  Board  appoint  at  their  earliest  convenience  a  Book 
Editor  and  Publishing  Agent,  who  shall  be  (v  oflivhi  a  member  of  the 
Board. 

3d.  That  the  Board  shall  have  full  authority  to  adopt  its  own  plan 
for  raising  money  with  which  to  publish  books  and  give  them  efficient 
circulation  throughout  the  Church. 

4th.  That  the  Board  at  Pittsburg,  Pennsylvania,  be  directed  to  close 
their  operations  in  that  city  as  soon  as  possible,  without  serious  det- 
riment to  its  interests,  or  embarrassment  to  themselves,  say  by  the 
first  of  July,  1867,  at  which  time,  and  sooner  if  practicable,  the  said 
Board  shall  hand  over  to  the  Board  at  Nashville  or  their  accredited 
agent,  all  moneys,  books,  papers,  stereotype  plates,  and  other  prop- 
erty in  their  hands  legitimately  belonging  to  the  Board  of  Publication 
of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church. 

5th.  That  the  Board  hereby  reorganized  shall  make  annual  reports 
to  the  Assembly  of  all  their  proceedings  and  the  work  accomplished 
from  year  to  year. 

Your  Committee  respectfully  submit  this  report,  hoping  that,  with 
the  approval  of  the  Assembly,  it  may  also  receive  the  blessings  of 
the  Most  High  and  Holy  One,  under  v/hose  direction  and  wisdom  may 
the  Board  of  Publication  be  elRcient  and  successful  in  promoting  every 
good  word  and  work,  and  thus  become  a  permanent  blessing  to  our 
evangelical  branch  of  the  household  of  faith. — 18G7.  pp.  74,  To. 

4.  The  Board  re-organized  at  Nashville,  Tenn. 

The  following  is  from  the  annual  report  of  the  Board  to  the  As- 
sembly, 1868: 

The  newly  appointed  Board  was  duly  organized  in  the  city  of 
Nashville,  Tennessee,  .Tune  1,  1867.  A.  J.  Baird,  D.D.,  was  elected 
President,   and 

(1)   Rev.   .J.   C.   Provim:,   Book    Editou   ami   Ptulimiinc;    A(;i:nt. 

The  Board  unanimously  r-r-solved  to  resume  operations  under  the 
Constitution  and  Bj^-Laws  formed  under  the  charter  previously 
granted  by  the  Legislature  of  the  State  of  Tennessee.  It  was  resolved 
also  by  the  Board,  in  view  of  the  impoverished  condition  of  the  coun- 
try, and  especially  of  a  large  majority  of  our  churches,  that  we 
should  dispose  of  our  books  at  as  low  a  rr/.v/*  price  as  practicable,  so  as 


416  PART  \'I.,  AGENCIES  OE  THE  ASSEMBLY. 

to    meet    expenses,    making    a    discount    of    25    per    cent    to    wliolesale 
dealers. 

Owing  to  the  fact  that  our  books  and  plates  were  still  in  Pittsburg, 
the  Agent  did  not  commence  regular  business  without  some  delay.  He 
succeeded,  however,  at  an  early  day,  in  making  a  satisfactory  settle- 
ment with  the  Agent  of  the  Board  there,  and  received  his  books  and 
plates  by  the  first  of  July,  at  which  time  he  entered  upon  his  im- 
10ila.nL   work. 

Thus  it  will  be  seen  that  only  about  ten  months  have  elapsed  since 
the  Board  commenced  active  operations,  yet,  notwithstanding  the 
brevity  of  our  time  of  labor,  we  have  occasion  for  devout  gratitude 
to  God  for  the  preservation  of  our  lives,  and  especially  for  the  success 
which  has  crowned  our  efforts  in  this  new,  and,  to  us,  untried  field 
of  labor.  And,  while  we  are  grateful  to  our  Heavenly  Father  for  the 
rich  blessings  bestowed  upon  us,  we  should  not  fail  to  express  our 
thankfulness  for  the  generous  co-operation  of  our  brethren  in  the  dif- 
ferent localities  of  our  Church.  They  have  come  up  to  our  help  with 
warm  hearts  and  willing  hands,  being  conscious,  no  doubt,  that  the 
prosperity  of  our  beloved  branch  of  the  Church,  in  no  small  degree, 
was  dependent  on  the  success  of  the  Board  in  sending  forth  our 
Church  publications,  as  well  as  the  general  distribution  of  a  pure  and 
healthful  religious  literature,  for  the  moral  elevation  of  the  masses. 
From  Pennsylvania,  from  Texas,  from  California,  from  Illinois,  in- 
deed, from  every  State  in  which  we  have  planted  churches,  words  of 
"good  cheer"  have  come,  orders  for  books  have  been  multiplied,  and 
zealous  efforts  made  for  the  establishment  of  depositories  to  facilitite 
their  circulation. 

(2)   The  plans  of  the   Boaud. 

By  special  contract  with  publishing  houses  in  this  city,  we  have 
had  our  work  done,  up  to  the  present  time.  Indeed,  this  was  our  only 
alternative,  as  we  had  not  the  facilities  for  having  it  done  ourselves. 
As  for  making  investments  in  permanent  material,  such  as  houses, 
presses,  and  type,  we  deemed  this  undesirable,  even  if  our  capital  had 
been  sufficient;  nor  are  we  satisfied  that  an  investment  of  this  char- 
acter will  at  any  time  in  the  future  accord  with  the  dictates  of  sound 
discretion;  the  history  of  other  book  establishments  in  this  country 
renders  such  a  procedure  of  doubtful  propriety.  The  interest  on  the 
capital  thus  invested,  the  necessary  expense  of  keeping  such  an  es- 
tablishment, to  say  nothing  of  the  risk  by  fire  and  sword,  would,  in 
our  estimation,  more  than  balance  the  disadvantages  under  which 
we  labor  in  having  our  books  published  by  special  contract.  We  shall, 
therefore,  in  the  future,  guided  by  the  light  of  experience,  in  bringing 
to  bear  whatever  of  financial  skill  we  may  possess,  refi'ain  from  in- 
vestments by  which  we  incur  great  risks,  and  shall  be  satisfied  to 
operate   with    whatever   means    may    be    placed    at    our   disposal,    on    a 


yy//:'  JlOARl)  OF  PUJILICATION.  417 

basis  o£  safety,  increasing  our  work,  and  gradually  enlarging  the  area 
of  our  operations,  us  circumstances  may  justify. 

In  arranging  for  the  circulation  of  our  books,  we  have  succeeded 
beyond  our  most  sanguine  expectations.  Quite  a  number  of  our  Pres- 
byteries have  raised  the  means,  sent  on  for  the  books,  and  established 
depositories  within  their  bounds.  Again,  within  tlie  bounds  of  other 
Presbyteries,  wdiere  no  regular  depositories  have  been  established,  we 
have  succeeded  in  introducing  our  publications  into  book-stores,  so 
as  to  bring  them  within  the  reach  of  our  people  generally.  This  plan 
is  succeeding  admirably,  as  it  requires  neither  the  advance  of  capital  nor 
labor  on  the  part  of  the  Church.  "We  find  book  merchants,  wher- 
ever the  subject  is  presented,  more  than  willing  to  take  our  books  at 
wholesale  prices,  and  sell  them,  realizing  for  themselves  a  profit  of 
twenty-five  per  cent,  at  the  same  time  accommodating  and  increasing 
the  number  of  tiieir  customers.  There  is  still  another  plan,  which 
has  been  attended  with  encouraging  success,  and  which  we  think  can 
be  rendered  more  efhcient  in  the  future,  viz.:  sending  our  books  to 
the  doors  of  our  people'  in  the  hands  of  agents.  Evangelists  who  are 
devoting  the  whole  of  their  time  to  the  work  of  the  ministry,  can 
accomplish  much  in  this  way.  Hundreds  of  persons  will  buy  books, 
and  read  them,  too,  when  placed  before  them  in  their  houses,  who 
never  W'ould  think  of  sending  for  them  to  book  establishments. 

(r/)    S'lJibdlli    Scliiiiil   Iiank-s   invi'.rd. 

There  is  a  special  need  for  Sabbath  school  books,  for,  as  strange  as 
it  may  seem,  as  a  denomination  we  have  none  of  these.  There  is  not 
a  single  Sabbath  school  book  in  existence,  so  far  as  we  are  apprised, 
written  by  a  minister  or  member  of  the  Cumberland  Presbytei-.ian 
Church.  From  an  early  period  in  our  hisiory  we.  have  been  the  fast 
friends  of  these  nurseries  of  the  Church.  We  have  made  good  use  of 
the  literature  prepared  by  others  in  training  thousands  in  the  way 
of  God  and  Heaven,  yet,  remarkable  as  it  may  be,  we  have  con- 
tributed nothing  in  the  way  of  books  to  a  class  of  literature  adapted 
to  the  moral  training  of  the  rising  generation.  We  are  pleased  to 
state  that  there  is  now  a  growing  interest  on  this  subject.  Already 
have  some  of  our  ministers  and  laymen  commenced  their  labor  in  this 
new  fiebl  of  usefulness,  and,  we  trust,  under  the  sanction  and  en- 
couragement given  by  the  General  Assembly,  an  impetus  will  be 
given  to  this  good  work  that  will  result  in  many  valuable  accessions 
to  the  Sabbath  school  literature  now  in  use  among  us. 

{h)    The  Cdlnrrd  I'lijiiiidtioii   f<]i<iiil(l  he  jirarldcd  fur. 

Our  duty  as  Christians  to  this  class  of  our  population  is  apparent  to 
all — there  can  be  no  mistake  in  regard  to  this  important  matter.  They 
constitule   an   element   in   society,   and,    v.-e   trust,   un'Ter   the    influence 


418  PART  /■/.,   AGEXCIES  OF  TH/C  ASSEMBLY. 

of  moral  culture,  may  be  made  au  element  of  streugth  and  usefulness. 
It  is  our  duty,  so  far  as  we  are  able,  to  place  within  tiielr  reach  the 
means  necessary  for  their  intellectual  and  moral  elevation.  We 
must  do  all  in  our  power  to  bring  them  under  the  restraining  and 
sanctifying  influence  of  the  Gospel;  books  and  religious  tracts  for 
their  special  benefit,  must  be  prepared,  and,  so  far  as  practicable,  they 
must  be  furnished  to  them  without  money  or  price,  for  there  are 
hundreds  and  thousands  of  them  destitute  of  the  means  to  purchase 
books. — IbtiS,   pp.    41-44.  -    ' 

(3)   Books  puui.isiiki)  hv  conikact. 

In  its  report  to  the  General  Assembly  in  lS(i9,  among  other  things 
the  Board  said: 

As  yet  we  have  made  no  important  change  in  our  plan  of  opera- 
tions. We  still  have  our  books  published  by  special  contract  with 
the  publishing  houses  of  the  city.  Indeed  had  we  desired  to  make 
a  change  in  this  particular,  it  was  not  within  our  power  to  do  so, 
as  it  would  have  required  means  not  in  our  possession.  Our  condition 
in  this  particular  is  one  of  absolute  dependency,  and,  we  may  add, 
too  much  so  at  times  either  to  be  pleasant  or  profitable.  While  we 
must  wait  the  good  pleasure  of  others  to  do  our  w'ork,  and  then  pay 
them  their  own  prices  for  the  same,  we  cannot  even  hope  that  our 
labor  will  be  as  remunerative  and  useful  to  the  Church  and  the 
world  as  desirable.  But  while  this  is  true^  we  still  doubt  the  pro- 
priety of  making  heavy  investments  in  permanent  material,  even 
had  we  means  at  command  to  do  so.  The  history  of  other  book  estab- 
lishments in  this  country  renders  such  a  procedure  of  doubtful  pro- 
priety; still,  much  more  could  be  saved  and  a  great  deal  more  good 
accomplished,  had  we  the  means  to  make  such  investments  in  the  way 
of  material  as  prudence  and  the  light  of  experience  might  indicate  to 
be  right.— 1869,  p. '  42. 

(Ij    A    MMIiEK    OF     DEl'OsnOJilES    KSTAIil.ISIIEI). 

We  are  pleased  to  state  that  since  our  last  report  there  has  been  a' 
growing  interest  on  this  subject.  Arrangements  have  been  made  for 
the  establishment  of  quite  a  number  of  additional  depositories.  A 
number  of  Presbyteries  and  Synods  have  taken  action  on  this  subject. 
They  have  raised  the  means,  appointed  their  agents,  and  already  have 
our  publications  in  their  bounds,  and,  so  far  as  heard  from,  are  suc- 
ceeding encouragingly  in  their  work  and  labor  of  love.  This  we  re- 
gard as  an  important  branch  of  our  work.  Our  books  must  be  dis- 
tributed in  different  localities  of  the  Church,  so  that  they  will  be  acce.s- 
sible  to  the  people,  and,  as  far  as  practicable,  agents  must  carry 
them  to  the  very  doors  of  the  people. — 1S69,  p.  42. 


THE  BOARD  OF  PUBLICATIOX.  419 

(.5)     Fk\A.\(  lAl.    I'l.A.NS    I;E(  OM.MKNDKD. 

The  following  recommemlaiioiis,  made  by  the  Committee  of  Publica- 
tion, were  adopted; 

1.  That  a  special  effort  be  made,  without  delay,  to  forward  to  the 
Board  of  Publication,  donations  equal  to  fifty  cents  per  member;  and 
that  ministers  and  members  be,  and  are  hereby,  earnestly  requested 
to  give  this  matter  prompt  attention. 

2.  That  the  Board  be  authorized — if  it  ^hal!  deem  it  expedient  to 
do  so — to  call  upon  the  members  of  the  Church,  and  friends  of  the 
enterprise,  to  give  it  the  use  of  money  without  interest  for  five  years, 
in  sums  of  not  less  than  fifty  dollars,  which  is  to  constitute  a  part 
of  the  operative  capital  of  the  Board — not  subject  to  be  diminished 
by  expenses  of  any  character. 

3.  At  the  expiration  of  five  years  the  money  is  payable,  but,  at  the 
option  of  the  Board,  it  may  be  retained  for  an  additional  five  years, 
at  the  rate  of  six  per  cent  per  annum.  The  amounts  thus  borrowed 
to  constitute  liens  upon  the  property  and   effects  of  the  Board. 

4.  That  the  Board  be  requested  to  require  of  its  Financial  agent  and 
Treasurer  a  bond  wath  sufficient  sureties,  in  such  sums  as  the  Board 
may  determine. 

The  Committee  has  examined  the  report  of  the  Standing  Committee 
on  Sunday  School  Literature,  and  is  of  the  opinion  that  the  work 
assigned  tO'  it  properly  belongs  to  the  Board  of  Publication,  and  as 
per   its   request,    recommend   that   the   said   Committee   be    discharged. 

The  Committee  thinks  it  would  not  be  out  of  place  in  this  con- 
nection to  call  attention  to  the  newspapers  published  in  the  interest 
of  the  Church:  therefore  recommends  and  earnestly  urges  diligence 
and  energy  in  circulating  these  periodicals. — 1869,  pp.  31,  32. 

(dj     TUK     AfiEXiS     ()]•      THi;     BOAKI). 

('/)     W  .    I'..    IhiiKiiniii.    I'lihlisJiiini   .[(inil. 

Rev.  J.  C.  Provine  having  tendered  his  resignation  as  Book  Editor 
and  Publishing  Agent,  in  the  early  part  of  the  year,  in  order  to  devote 
his  time  more  fully  to  the  ministry,  we  were  most  fortunate  in  se- 
curing the  services  of  Mr.  William  E.  Dunaway  as  our  Secretary 
and  Publishing  Agent,  by  whom  we  forward  this  report.  Mr.  Duna- 
way is  a  first-class  business  man,  a  member  and  officer  of  the  Church, 
and  has,  thus  far,  much  more  than  met  our  expectations.  We  have 
never  heard  one  word  of  complaint  from  anyone  as  to  his  correctness, 
energy,  and  activity;  nor  do  we  believe  there  is  the  least  ground  for 
any. 

We  regret  again  to  report  that  we  have  not  yet  been  able,  for 
want  of  means,  to  open  a  Church  book-store.  We  are  fully  satisfied, 
however,  as  to  the  advantage  of  one,  but  we  prefer  to  wait  until  the 
means   can   be   obtained.     We   feel   unwillin.o;   to   go   in   debt,   znil    thus 


-420  PART  ri.,  ACEyC/JiS  OF  THE  ASSEMnLV. 

hazard  what  capital  we  have.  We  were  satisfied  that  the  plan  pro- 
posed by  the  Committee  on  Publication,  at  the  laat  meeting  of  the 
Assemblj-  was  not  practicable,  namely,  the  system  of  lending  to 
the  Board  [see  above],  and  a  faithful  effort  to  execute  the 
scheme  has  proved  that  we  were  right,  as  not  a  single  loan  has 
been  offered  during  the  year.  The  contributions,  however,  have  very 
greatly  increa.sed  in  the  three  mouths  allotted  to  us,  as  you  will  see  from 
the  report  of  our  Secretary,  which  we  append  to  this  report.  If,  in 
the  operation  of  the  system,  these  contributions  increase — and  we  be- 
lieve they  will — we  shall,  during  the  year,  be  able  to  commence  a 
business  which  will  be  both  creditable  and  profitable  to  us  as  a 
Church.  The  division  of  time  made  at  your  last  meeting  has  been 
of  great  service  to  us.  If  it  is  not  interfered  with  by  other  matters, 
and  if  the  interest  continues  to  increase  in  our  favor,  we  shall  soon 
obtain  all  the  means  we  need.  We  call  the  especial  attention  of 
the  Assembly  to  this  fact. 

The  past  year  has  been  the  most  successful  one  in  the  history  of 
this  enterprise  of  the  Church.  We  are  making  some  advances  in 
bringing  out  new   Y«orks. — 1870,   p.    .51. 

(1)  linak  slnrc  nixind. — Your  I5oard,  at  its  meeting  in  December, 
after  much  discussion  and  mature  deliberation,  concluded  to  take 
a  step  never  before  taken  in  the  Church,  that  is  to  rent  and  open  a  store- 
house. They  rented  the  fine  storehouse.  No.  411  Union  street,  one  of  the 
most  desirable  and  convenient  places  of  business  in  the  city,  where 
are  now  kept  the  books  and  all  publications  of  the  Board,  stationery, 
and  everything  usually  found  in  a  first-class  storehouse.  In  the  same 
building  are  also  the  offices  of  the  IUihiki-  of  I'racv,  I'fiirJ,  (Iciii  and 
A[c<rniiii.  The  people  have  been  cordially  invited,  through  the  press, 
to  visit  our  store  and  buy  the  Church  books  and  any  other  books 
they  may  need;  for  every  book,  of  whatever  kind,  bought  from  us, 
adds  a  mite  to  our  treasury,  and  all  these  mites  go  to  make  up  the 
stream  of  prosperity  which  we  behold  so  approvingly  in  other  Churches. 
In  setting  up  this  store,  the  Board  have  carried  out  what  they  believed 
to  be  the  interest  of  the  Church,  and  in  harmony  with  her  dignity. — 
1871,   p.   39. 

(2)  Cash  Ni/iifciji  iidhcnd  tn. — On  this  subject  the  Board  found  it 
necessary  to  speak  again,  and  as  follows: 

The  Board,  though  earnestly  pressed  by  brethren  in  different  parts 
of  the  Church  to  sell  their  books  on  time,  or  establish  depositories, 
have  adhered  to  their  old  plan  of  selling  for  cash,  and  are  now  firmly- 
convinced,  from  experience  and  the  custom  of  other  Churches,  that 
it  is  the  only  safe  plan  of  business. — 1871,  p.  39. 

On  the  foregoing  the  Committee  on  Publication  reported  as  follows, 
which  was  adopted: 


THJ:  board  of  PUJILICATION.  421 

iou  will  see,  in  the  report  wliich  the  Board  has  submitted  to  your 
Reverend  Body,  that  they  still  adhere  to  the  cash  system.  This  your 
Committee  approve  and  believe  to  be  the  safest  and  best.  In  this 
Y.e  speak  the  language  of  experience  and  of  the  practice  of  other  great 
enterprise.^,  both  in  and  out  of  the  Church.  It  is  true,  many  of  our 
ministers  are  poor,  and  cannot  a.Tord  to  advance  the  money  for  the 
books.  But  would  it  not  be  better  for  the  various  Presbyteries  to 
create  a  book  fund,  and  appoint  agents  to  order  and  sell  their  books? 
Or,  if  this  should  be  neglected,  cannot  the  Session  of  each  Congrega- 
tion advance  a  sufficient  amount  of  money  to  supply  its  own  church 
and  community  with  books?  Your  Committee  are  of  the  opinion  that 
the  responsibility  of  this  necessary  work  properly  falls  on  the  Pres- 
byteries and  congregations.  It  comes  under  the  great  law  of  pro- 
viding for  our  own. — 1871,  p.  31. 

(3)  Dr.  T.  ('.  BIdhr,  Financial  Ai/cnf  and  Book  Editor. — On  the  employ- 
ment cf  an  agent  and  book  editor,  the  Board  reported  as  follows: 

^Ve  decided  to  employ  one  financial  agent  to  raise  the  funds  to 
establish  a  Publishing  House,  and  to  act  also  as  book  editor.  A  suita- 
ble man  for  this  work  would  be  compelled  to  have  a  salary  sufficient 
to  enable  him  to  reside  in  Nashville,  and  to  have  it  promptly  paid, 
whether  we  raised  much  or  little.  We  did  not  desire  to  risk  an  otit- 
lay  of  |2,0C0,  or  more,  for  this  purpose,  and  conferred  with  Dr.  Blake, 
who  sent  the  Board  a  proposition  couched  in  the  following  words: 
"I  will  take  the  position  of  Book  Editor  and  General  Agent  for  one 
year,  or  for  a  shorter  period,  if  the  Board  should  prefer,  without  any 
specified  compensation,  leaving  the  matter  of  remuneration  to  be 
settled  wholly  by  the  Board,  after  the  work  has  been  done."  The 
Board  accepted  the  proposition.  The  Agent  went  immediately  to  work, 
and  during  the  year  has  written  over  two  thousand  letters,  and  visited 
many  congregations,  besides  Presbyteries  and  Synods.  One  object 
was  to  stir  up  the  Ciiurch,  by  the  press  and  otherwise,  to  be  ready  for 
the  three  months'  time  allotted  by  the  Assembly  t  j  publication — ■ 
October,  November,  and  December. 

During  the  cjuarter  the  Board  used  all  its  energy  to  develop  the 
Christian  beneficence  of  the  Church  in  behalf  of  a  Publishing  House; 
and  it  affords  us  pleasure  to  say  that  the  whole  Church  seems  to 
feel  the  great  importance  of  such  an  establishment. 

The  Board  has  raised,  through  its  Agent,  up  to  May  1,  1S72,  $7,897.37, 
in  money,  which  has  been  invested  in  United  States  bonds,  and  is 
now  subject  to  your  order.  For  the  year's  work  in  raising  this 
fund,  the  Board  has  allowed  Dr.  Blake  $650  for  his  services  as  Agent, 
and  $100  as  Book  Editor — a  cheaper  rate  than  we  can  expect  in 
future   to   procure  the   services   of  a  competent  man. — 1S72,   p.   55. 

(4)  Ji'cr.   J/,   li.   IhW'ilt,   Solicilin!/  Aijcnt  and  ]-:diU,r. — The   Committee 


422  PART  /'/..  AGENCIES  OF  THE  ASSEJinL)\ 

on  Publication  recommended,  That  tlie  Board  be  authorized  to  employ 
some  competent  person  as  General  Financial  Agent  of  the  Publish- 
ing House  Fund  and  Book  Editor.     Adopted.— 1872,  p.  25. 

From  the  report  of  the  Board  (1873):  Soon  after  the  close  of  the 
last  Assembly,  the  Board,  believing  it  to  be  for  the  interest  of  this 
cause  to  have  one  soliciting  agent  whose  whole  time  could  be  given 
to  this  work,  employed  the  Rev.  M.  B.  DeWitt,  then  pastor  at  Hunts- 
ville,  Ala.,  to  take  charge  of  this  agency,  and  the  editorial  work  of 
the  Board.  He  accepted  the  position  July  18,  and  entered  on  the 
work  August  15,  1872.  Immediately  after  this,  the  Board  bought  of 
Dr.  T.  C.  Blake  the  Sahhath  Srh(i<il  Hon  and  the  Thcnhinicdl  Medium, 
the  new  editor  preparing  the  October  numbers  chiefly  from  materials 
furnished  by  Dr.   Blake. 

In  October  Mr.  DeWitt  visited  the  Synod  of  McAdow,  at  Macon 
City,  Missouri,  and  the  Synod  of  Illinois,  at  Enfield.  He  received 
most  cordial  welcome,  addressed  the  Synods,  received  many  sub- 
scriptions, and  assurances  of  support  to  these  periodicals.  The  in- 
tention was  to  have  our  agent  vi.sit  many  localities,  but  the  purchase 
of  the  (Jcvi  and  the  Maliiiin,  and  the  necessity, of  his  office  labors  on 
them  prevented.  The  Board  attempted  to  raise  funds  through  pres- 
byterial  agencies,  and  our  Agent  wrote  hundreds  of  letters  to  Stated 
Clerks  and  prominent  ministers  in  Presbyteries,  proposing  to  engage 
them,  according  to  a  printed  plan  set  forth  in  a  general  circular,  and 
in  our  Church  papers,  but  found  that  plan  a  failure,  as  few  men 
could  be  found  whose  time  could  be  obtained.  It  may  be  set  down 
as  a  fact  that  the  Church  has  little  hope  from  presbyterial  agencies. 
It  is  also  a  fact  that  no  agent  of  the  Board  can  visit  personally  in 
a.  year  the  whole  Church.  It  is  well,  therefore,  to  take  these  elements 
into  your  calculations   for   future  work. 

During  the  quarter  assigned  for  publication,  the  Board,  through  its 
Agent,  made  appeal  after  appeal  to  all  ministers  and  pastors  to  take 
up  collections,  but  we  regret  to  say  that  there  seems  to  have  been 
a  general  apathy  throughout  the  Church  on  this  subject.  Scarcity  of 
money  has  been  alleged;  the  call  of  last  year  for  one  dollar  per 
member  has  been  pleaded  as  a  reason  why  all  who  gave  that  dollar 
should  never  give  again;  the  locking  up  of  your  funds  in  bonds  has, 
it  seems,  given  wide  dissatisfaction.  These  combined  causes,  and  per- 
haps others,  have  rendered  the  untiring  labor  of  your  Board  and 
Agent  in  raising  funds  for  publication  almost  a  failure.  The  total 
amount  of  funds  raised  for  the  year  is  $847.30. — 1873,  pp.  68,  69. 

(5)  Ih'iKjsltoriiN  CKtdbli.slKd.- — By  authority  of  the  General  Assembly, 
the  Board  has  established  depositories  of  books  at  St.  Louis,  Missouri, 
and  at  Tehuacana,  Texas,  where  all  our  books  can  be  obtained  on 
the  same  terms  as  at  Nashville. — 1S75,  p.  60. 


THE  BOARD  OF  PVBLICA'JTOX.  423 

(6)  TT.  E.  Diiudirnti  rrxifins. — W.  E.  Dunaway,  Esq.,  who  so  long 
acted  as  Agent,  resigned  to  go  into  otlier  business.  Mr.  Dunaway 
was  always  zealous  in  this  work,  and  performed  his  responsible  duties, 
through  many  years,  to  the  very  best  of  his  ability,  and  the  Board 
passed  resolutions  of  commendation  on  his  fidelity,  at  his  depai'ture 
to  other  fields  of  labor. — IST.t,  p.   61. 

(7)  Axxviiihlii  ilccIiiicN  fn  iiiorc  ihv  Board. — Your  Committee  have  had 
under  consideration  the  memorial  from  Wabash  Presbytery,  in  rela- 
tion to  the  removal  of  the  publishing  interests  of  our  Church  from 
Nashville  to  St.  Louis.  Your  Committee  are  of  opinion  that  such  a 
removal  would  not  be  for  the  best.     Adopted. — 18V7,  p.  22. 

(8)  Publisliiii;/  (iitvrcstN  fo  be  iikhIc  sclj'-siisfdiiiiiKj. — Your  Committee 
wauld  further  suggest  to  the  Board  of  Publication,  that  in  the  near 
future  they  make  the  publishing  interests  of  the  Church  self-sustaining; 
.and,  in  order  to  hasten  this  desirable  end,  we  M'ould  recommend  to 
the  whole  Church  the  proprieiy  of  having  their  printing  done  by 
the  Boartl.     Adopted.— 1877,  p.  22. 

(9)  ])cht  rcdnrcd. — By  reference  to  the  Minutes  of  1875,  p.  58,  it  will 
be  seen  that  the  Board  paid,  on  its  debts,  the  sum  of  $7,054.48. 

(10)  Lous  ill  1S7S. — Without  the  aid  of  donations,  the  business 
'did  not  sustain  itself  by  $1,284.19.  But  ihe  falling  off,  since  January 
last,  of  the  subscription  list  of  the  (Uinilx rhind  I'rcsbiitcriaii  more  than 
a,ccounts  for  this  deficit. — 1878,  p.  48. 

(J))  Jolin  .)/.  (iant,  Corrcsjioiidinii  ^^ccninri;. 

Early  in  the  year  the  health  of  our  laborious  Agent,  Rev.  T.  C. 
Blake,  broke  completely  down,  and  the  Board  was  compelled  to  ap- 
point some  one  to  look  after  its  interests.  One  of  our  Boards  John 
M.  Gaut,  Esq.,  consented  to  give  it  his  attention  for  a  short  time  daily, 
at  a  nominal  salary  of  $25  per  month.  But  he  has  given  it,  in  fact, 
a  farge  share  of  his  valuable  time.  He  has  made  a  searching  in- 
vestigation of  every  avenue  of  the  business,  and,  at  his  suggestion, 
and  by  advice  of  the  Board,  many  changes  in  detail  have  been  made, 
all  looking  to  reduction  of  expenses,  in  view  of  our  reduced  receipts 
and  patronage. — 1879,  p.   60. 

(r)    T.  M.  Hin.sl,  Ai/nif. 

Brother  J.  M.  Gaut's  inability  to  continue  longer  his  supervision  of  the 
business  was  the  occasion  of  the  Board's  determining  to  employ  a  com- 
petent agent  to  give  his  whole  time  to  its  management.  Exercising 
all  the  judgment  and  care  that  the  nature  of  the  case  seemed  to 
permit,   it  ultimately   selected   T.   M.    Hurst.     His   salary   was   fixed   at 


424  PART  VI.,  AGENCIES  OF  THE  .iSSEML'/A'. 

$1,000   per   year,   to   be    iucieasied   in   pioportiou    lu   the   siKcebs   which, 
shall  attend  his  management. — 1881,  pp.  -55,  56. 

(1)  L'tport  an  (idvimbilitij  of  iiubliahuuj  hij  contract. — In  view  of  the 
recommendation  of  the  last  General  Assembly  [Minutes  1880,  p.  22 J, 
I  [T.  M.  Hurst]  have  caused  printed  specifications  of  our  work  to 
be  sent  to  the  leading  publishers  in  Nashville,  Louisville,  and  Cin- 
cinnati, and  solicited  proposals  for  doing  the  work  by  contract.  Some 
of  these  communications  remain  unanswered,  while  parties  who  have 
answered  decline  to  offer  any  figures  at  all  in  tiie  premises.  Nearly 
all  of  them  suggest  that  we  should  be  able  to  do  our  own  v\'ork  as 
cheaply  as  any  one  else,  and  supposing  that  we  would  not  want  to 
pay  profit,  they  decline  to  give  the  matter  any  serious  attention. 
These  replies  are  in  my  possession  and  are  subject  to  the  inspection 
of  any  one  interested  in  examining  them.  While  this  matter  rests 
entirely  in  your  discretion  or  that  of  the  General  Assembly,  I  do  think 
that  such  a  change  would  be  reirograding  and  detrimental  to  the 
whole  Church.  After  struggling  fur  years,  maiving  sacrifices,  and 
enduring  privations  to  establish  a  publishing  house,  then  to  abandon 
the  undertaking  just  at  a  time  when  our  Church  is  being  brought 
into  prominence,  with  her  membership  rapidly  increasing,  and  every 
department  of  her  publishing  interests  looking  up,  v.ould,  it  seems  to 
me,  be  a  mistake.  It  would  be  a  dangerous  experiment,  v/ith  not  even 
the  promise  of  good  results,  and  not  one  of  the  least  of  the  evils 
flowing  from  it  would  be  the  discouragement  to  those  old  veterans 
who  have  worked  and  prayed  for  years  that  we  might  succeed. — 
1881,  p.  58. 

(2)  Uncle  Josh's  Proiinsiiioii. — This  proposition  is  riow  before  the 
Church  and  is  receiving  favorable  consideration.  With  a  good  crop 
year,  I  feel  very  hopeful  that  this  proposition  will  succeed  in  paying 
your  entire  debt  by  the  close  of  the  next  fiscal  year.  If  |10,000  are 
paid  by  the  Church  during  this  year,  I  feel  confident  that  the  next 
General  Assembly  will  have  the  satisfaction  of  hearin^  one  report 
read  without  "liabilities." — 1882,  p.  81. 

The  scheme  on  foot  for  relieving  the  Board  or  debt  promises  suc- 
cess. With  this  incubus  removed,  together  with  improvements  in  the 
conduct  of  the  business,  which  are  continually  suggesting  themselves, 
we  hope  for  greater  success  in  the  future.  In  the  meantime,  how- 
ever, the  Board  is  ever  ready  to  hear  any  instructions  from  your 
Reverend  Body,  or  any  of  those  suggestions  which,  from  your  stand- 
point, present  themselves,  but  which  may  not  be  apparent  to  us.  The 
matter  which  now  seems  most  important  to  us  is  the  success  of  some 
scheme  to  pay  off  the  debt,  and  the  one  already  devised  seems  to  be, 
in  many  respects,  the  best. — 1SS2,  p.  77. 


THE  BOARlJ  OF  J'tULICATIOX.  425 

We  recommend  tliat  the  proposition  known  to  the  Cliurch  as  "Uncle 
Joih's  Proposition"  be  kept  prominently  bei'ore  the  Church.  Although 
this  expedient  may  have  been  regarded  at  first  as  a  mere  experiment, 
we  cannot  afford  to  let  it  fail  now — we  cannot  afford  to  lose  the  time, 
even  if  we  could  inaugurate  a  better  plan — it  is  expedient  that  we 
press  this  plan  to  a  successful  consummation.  It  can  and  ought  to  be 
done.     Adopted.— 1882,  p.  33. 

The  most  important  success  has  been  the  consummation  of  the 
scheme  known  to  our  Church  as  "Uncle  Josh's  Proposition." 

Early  in  the  Spring  of  last  year,  our  brother,  J.  D.  Spain,  of  this 
city,  pi'oposed  to  be  one  of  one  thousand  persons  who  Avould  pay  $10 
each  to  help  pay  our  debt.  This  plan  was  approved  bj'  the  General 
Assembly,  which  met  at  Huntsville.  Alabama,  and  was  by  it  recom- 
mended to  the  Church  for  consideration.  Fhe  Church  seemed  ready 
for  tliis  movement,  and  in  conducting  it  our  ministers  exhibited  that 
zeal  which  has  ever  characcerized  them  as  faithful  servants  of  the 
Church.  In  referring  to  this  effort  I  would  make  special  mention 
of  our  noble  women,  whose  earnest  prayers  and  persistent  efforts  con- 
tributed so  largely  to  its  success. — 1883,  p.  87. 

Your  Committee  are  greatly  gratified  to  find  the  enterprise  com- 
paratively out  of  debt.  The  zeal  manifested  all  over  the  Church  in 
responding  to  the  generous  call  made  upon  it  quite  recently  to  relieve 
it  of  an  old  debt,  and  the  active  labors  of  the  women  of  the  Church 
in  accomplishing  the  object,  deserve  the  gratitude  of  your  General 
Assembly  and  its  Presbyteries,  and  every  friend  of  the  Church.  Bu^ 
let  us  not  rely  on  this  generosity  to  relieve  the  Church  again  of  debt. 
Our  policy  should  be  not  to  contract  indebtedness  beyond  the  control 
of  the  Board  in  its  current  business.     Adopted. — 1SS3,  p.  35. 

(3)  Histdiij  (,f  the  Clnirch.— The  Rev.  B.  W.  McDonnold  has  been  en- 
gaged to  prepare  for  publication  a  full  History  of  the  Cumberland 
Presbyterian  Church.  While  your  Committee  entertain  the  strongest 
convictions  as  to  the  need  of,  and  desire  for,  such  a  denominational 
book  at  the  earliest  practicable  day,  yet,  in  view  of  the  stringency  of 
the  times  and  the  meagerness  of  the  funds  of  the  Board,  Vv'e  respect- 
fully recommend,  (1)  That  your  Board  exercise  great  care  in  the 
prosecution  of  said  work,  lest  such  a  measure  result  in  financial  em- 
barrassment. (2)  That  undue  haste  be  avoided  by  the  author  in  the 
proposed  History  of  the  Church.     Adopted. — 1885,  p.  26. 

During  this  year  the  Board  has  published  the  History  of  the  Cum- 
berland Presbyterian  Church,  by  the  Rev.  B.  W.  McDonnold,  D.D. 
It  is  already  before  the  Church  to  such  an  extent  that  but  little  com- 
ment as  to  its  merits  is  necessary.  It  is  rich  not  only  in  historJ^  but 
the  author  has  so  artfully  interwoven   incident,   anecdote,  description, 


426  PAk'T  J'L,  AGENCIES  OE  THE  ASSEMBLY. 

and  comment  as  to  completely  captivate  his  reader.  The  book  is  also 
embellished  with  numerous  steel  engravings  of  the  most  prominent 
characters  in  the  history  of  the  Church,  executed  in  the  very  highest 
style  of  the  engraver's  art.— 1888,  p.  106. 

((/)    Jdlui    D.     U"(7xr///,    .\iniit. 

During  the  month  of  March,  Mr.  T.  M.  Hurst  tendered  his  resigna- 
tion as  Agent  of  the  Board,  which  was  accepted.  During  the  five 
and  a  half  years  of  his  business  relations  to  us  he  has  shown  himself 
a  true  friend  of  the  Church,  a  man  of  industry  and  integrity,  and  a 
true  Christian  gentleman.  Our  personal  relations  with  him  have  been 
the  most  pleasant,  and  he  carries  with  him  into  his  new  business  our 
best  wishes  for  his  future  prosperity.  Mr.  John  D.  Wilson,  of  Mur- 
freesboro,  Tennessee,  was  elected  to  take  his  place.  As  to  the  fitness 
of  the  latter  for  the  position,  we  have  a  most  satisfactory  assur- 
ances, both  from  our  knowledge  of  the  man  and  the  recommendations 
of  others.— 1886,   p.   11".. 

(r)    1\'.   •/.    Ddihii,    n.l).,   Ciiicnil    Maiiinirr. 

Since  our  la.st  report  we  have  elected  Rev.  W.  J.  Darby,  D.D.,  of 
Evansville,  Ind.,  General  Manager  of  the  publishing  work  of  the 
Church.  .  .  .  The  contract  with  Dr.  Darby  sets  forth  that  "The  ap- 
pointment of  a  General  Manager  is  designed  to  secure  the  constant 
presence  of  one  who  shall  speak  arid  act  with  the  full  authority  of 
the  Board  in  all  departments  of  the  work,"  and  provides  that  he  shall 
be  responsible,  primarily,  as  the  Board's  representative,  for  the  entire 
publishing  work  of  the  Church,  in  a  like  sense  that  the  Board  itself 
Is  responsible  for  the  same.  His  functions  and  relations  in  all  their 
bearings  are  fully  set  forth  in  the  contract,  and  we  are  sure  that  results 
will  abundantly  prove  the  wisdom  of  the  Board  in  the  re-adjustment 
of  its  affairs  implied  in  the  creation  of  the  office  of  General  Manager. 
—1889,   p.   119. 

Rev.  W.  J,  Darby,  D.D.,  has  resigned  his  position  as  member  of  the 
Board,  and  has  been  employed  to  fill  the  office  "of  General  Manager 
of  your  publishing  interests.  We  recommend  that  you  indorse  this 
action,  which,  we  are  assured  by  the  report  of  the  Board,  looks  to 
economy  in  expenses,  and  to  a  greater  efficiency  in  work,  and  the 
circulation  of  all  our  publications.     Adopted. — 1889,  p.  25. 

As  is  already  known  to  you,  Rev.  W.  J.  Darby,  D.D.,  was  in  Sep- 
tember last  compelled  by  ill  health  to  retire  from  the  active  duties 
of  General  Manager.  The  Board  sympathize  deeply  with  him  in  his 
affliction,  and  cannot  but  feel  that  the  loss  of  his  valuable  services 
is  a  great  misfortune.     We,  however,  in  this,  as  in  all  things,  would 


Tiu:  J'>oAkn  oj'  ruinjcATiox.  427 

meekly  bow  to  the  will  of  God,  and  recognize  the  fact  that  he  can 
bring  good  out  of  what  seem  to  be  the  direst  calamities.  We  sincerely 
hope  that  restored  health  may  permit  an  early  resumption  of  his  la- 
bors. His  disability  made  it  necessary  to  recall  Brother  Landrith  from 
Kansas  City  and  impose  on  him  the  duties  of  acting  General  Manager. 
His  services  as  such  have  been  faithful  and  efficient. — ISSl,  p.  91. 

[Note.— It  was  under  the  administration  of  Dr.  Darby  that  the  Pub- 
lishing House  was  begun,  a  full  account  of  which  will  be  found  in  the 
appropriate  place. — J.  V.  S.] 

(/)   .hihn  M.   udiit,  (Icucral  Maiitii/cr. 

The  continued  ill  health  of  Rev.  W.  J.  Darby,  D.D.,  preventing  him 
from  assuming  the  active  duties  of  General  Manager,  he  tendered  his 
resignation  as  such,  and  John  M.  Gaut,  Esq.,  was  elected  to  nil  the 
vacancy. — 1S92,  p.  97. 

We  recommend  that  you  concur  in  the     .     .     .     selection  of  .John  M. 
■Gaut,  Esq.,  as  General  Manager.     Adopted.— 1892,  p.   29. 
Mr.  Gaut  still  (1899)  holds  this  position. 

(7)     NOTAUl.i;    K.NTinU'IUSES    Of    TUK    BOAKD. 

(d)   A   irrcldii  church   ix/pcr. 

The  propriety  of  publishing  a  weekly  newspaper  for  the  Church  has 
given  the  Board  of  Publication  much  thought.  Among  the  reasons  in 
favor  of  this  being  done,  the  following  may  be  mentioned: 

1.  It  is  right.  The  Church  has  Boards  which  are  her  own,  and  to 
which  she  looks  for  the  accomplishment  of  the  ends  desired  by  their 
formation.  Without  a  weekly  newspaper  the  membership  cannot  be 
successfully  reached.  The  Church  is  entitled  to  the  profits  connected 
with  such  a  publication  as  much  as  to  the  profits  arising  from  the  pub- 
lishing and  selling  of  books,  tracts,  etc. 

2.  One  paper  properly  conducted  would  do  more  to  unify  and  har- 
monize the  different  sections  than  all  other  agencies.  The  present 
system  tends- — legitimately  tends — to  encourage  local  strifes  and  con- 
tentions. It  is  but  natural  that,  with  our  present  plan,  each  section 
should  cling  to  its  own  local  enterprises  in  preference  to  those  at  a 
distance.  It  is  but  natural  that,  with  the  present  system,  each  section 
should  look  to  its  own  newspaper  to  ascertain  what  thv-'  Church  wants, 
thinks  and  feels;  and,  consequently,  to  be  comparatively  ignorant 
as  to  what  is  desired,  thought,  and  felt  in  those  parts  of  the  Church 
not  represented  in  the  patronage  of  that  particular  paper.  But,  had 
the  whole  Church  only  one  paper,  these  local  prejudices  would  be 
iDroken  down  and  corrected.  Such  a  publication  would  be  the  medium 
for  each   and   every   part  of   the   Church,    free   alike   to   all,    giving   a 


428  PAK'r  /■/.,  AGENCIES  OE  7///:  ASSEMJUA'. 

fair  and  impartial  insigiit  into  tlie  views,  wislies,  and  interests  of  every 
portion  of  our  common  Ziou;  and,  in  addition,  would  be  tlie  great 
mirror  into  whicli  eacli  and  every  one  could  look,  and  from  wiiicli 
a  life-size  picture  of  the  wliole  Cliurcli  would  be  accurately  and  har- 
moniously  reiiected. 

3.  The  one-paper  theory  lilvewise  commends  itself  on  the  basis  of 
economy.  We  now  have  three  weelvlies,  and  should  any  one  wish  to 
learn  of  the  doings,  feelings  and  views  of  ihe  whole  Church  lie  must 
pay  for  three  newspapers;  whereas,  if  all  three  were  consolidated  he 
would  obtain  the  same  information  at  the  cost  of  one. 

4.  Self-protection  would  dictate  such  a  policy.  As  it  now  is,  the 
Boards  of  the  Church,  and  iLs  other  interests,  are  dependent  upon  in- 
dividual enterprise  for  a  medium  through  which  to  reach  the  mem- 
bership. Indeed  no  enterprise  or  authority  of  tlie  Church,  .not  even 
the  General  Assembly,  can  speak  to  the  people,  should  a  few  individuals 
determine  otherwise.  It  is  not  right,  it  is  not  safe,  it  is  not  expedient 
for  a  whole  denomination  to  be  in  such  an  attitude. 

While  no  just  grounds  of  complaint  may  properly  exist  as  to  the 
manner  in  which  our  newspapers  are  now  conducted  in  this  regard, 
and  while  no  suspicion,  as  to  the  future,  is  intimated  as  to  them,  we 
have  no  guaranty  as  to  the  conduct  of  succeeding  eaiicrs.  We  speak 
of  a  system,  and  do  not  mean  to  ci'iticise  individuals  or  their  conduct. 

5.  The  plan  proposed  w^ould  largely  contribute  toward  the  establish- 
ment of  a  Publishing  House.  With  the  patronage  which  the  coi.ooli- 
dated  paper  would  command,  a  large  amount  could  be  set  apai  l  an- 
nually for  the  purpose  of  opening  up  and  putting  into  successful  op- 
eration a  printing  esL...blishmeut,  in  which  our  books,  tracts,  and  papers 
could  be  printed,  and  which  would  be  not  only  a  power  for  good,  but 
an  honor  to  our  Church,  second  in  importance  to  no  other  of  its  enter- 
prises. 

The  Board  is  unanimously  of  opinion  that  an  effort  should  be  made 
to  bring  about  the  consolidation  of  our  present  newspaper  enter^yrises 
which  are  conducted  by  individual  effort,  and  to  effect  the  publication 
of  a  well  conducted  weekly  paper  by  the  Board  of  Publication,  for 
the  Church,  of  the  description  mentioned. — 1873,  p.  71. 

A  memorial  has  been  referred  to  us  from  one  of  the  Presbyteries  on 
the  subject  of  a  Church  paper.  We  have  received  the  impression  that 
there  is  a  general  interest  felt  in  the  Church  upon  this  subject.  The 
Committee  think  that  such  a  measure  would  be  a  matter  of  great  im- 
portance in  many  respects  if  it  could  be  carried  out  without  a  ruinous 
sacrifice,  and  without  the  Board's  incurring  too  great  pecuniary  liabili- 
ties. A  great  end  which  would  certainly  be  accomplished  by  such  a 
measure  would  be  the  more  perfect  unification  of  the  Church.  We 
would  understand  each  other  better  in  different  parts  of  the  denoiiii- 
nation.     We  would  be  made  to  feel  more  like  one  people.     The  res-.U 


THE  BOARD  OF  PUBLICATIOX.  429 

« 
of  this  would  be  more  harmonious  and  concentrated  action.  We  are 
suffering  every  day  from  the  want  of  this  harmony  and  concentration. 
It  ought  to  save  the  salary  of  one  or  two  editors,  and,  in  addition  to 
the  pecuniary  saving,  it  ought  to  give  us  the  labors  and  services  of 
these  valuable  men  in  other  departments  of  our  work.  We  need  to 
look  for  working  men  as  well  as  for  money.  A  difficulty  meets  this 
measure,  however,  at  the  threshold.  Two  or  three  of  our  brethren  are 
already  publishing  papers.  They  are  the  proprietors  as  well  as  pub- 
lishers. They  are  worthy  men,  and  have  thrown  all  that  they  have 
into  their  respective  enterprises.  What  shall  we  do?  We  cannot 
control  their  property;  nor  would  we  desire  to  do  so  if  we  could.  We 
do  not  wish  to  enter  the  lield  in  competicion  with  them.  The  Com- 
mittee recommend  that  the  Board  be  instructed  to  negotiate  with  them, 
and,  if  possible,  procure  their  interests  in  their  respective  publications 
at  reasonable  rates.  We  take  it  for  granted,  too,  that,  as  friends  to 
the  great  interests  of  the  whole  Church,  they  would  not  impose  unrea- 
sonable conditions.  If  the  Board  thus  succeed,  we  further  recommend 
that  they  take  immediate  steps  toward  a  united  Chui'ch  paper,  if  they 
think  that  the  enterprise  can  be  undertaken  without  involving  them- 
selves in  too  heavy  a  pecuniary  liability.     Adopted. — 1S73,  p.  26. 

The  Board  have  not  changed  their  opinion  as  to  the  propriety  of  a 
weekly  Church  paper  belonging  to  the  Church,  and  the  direction  of 
the  last  Assembly  upon  the  subject  has  received  due  consideration. 
The  Board  report  that  it  has  been  found  impracticable,  at  least  for  the 
present,  to  purchase  the  papers  now  in  existence.  It  is  recommended, 
however,  that  this  matter  be  left  for  the  action  of  the  Board,  as  cir- 
cumstances in  the  future  may  justify. — 1874,  p.  81. 

That  you  grant  the  request  of  the  Board  with  reference  to  a  weekly 
Church  paper,  and  it  is  the  sense  of  this  General  Assembly  that  fair 
terms  should  be  offered  to  the  proprietors  of  the  present  weekly 
Church  papers,  not  to  be  less  than  the  estimate  flxed  by  disinterested 
parties  mutually  chosen,  and  should  the  terms  thus  offered  be  not 
accepted,  the  Board  will  report  to  the  next  General  Assembly  its  views 
upon  the  propriety  of  establishing  a  weekly  newspaper  for  the  Church. 
Adopted.— 1874,  p.  19. 

The  first  great  question  that  presented  itself  to  the  Board  this  year, 
was  the  consolidation  of  the  papers  of  the  Church.  The  last  Assembly 
granted  the  request  of  this  Board  for  a  union  of  papers,  and  au- 
thorized the  Board  to  "offer  fair  terms  to  the  proprietors:  these  terms 
not  to  be  less  than  the  estimate  fixed  by  disinterested  parties  mutually 
chosen."  Soon  after  the  adjournment  of  the  last  Assembly,  the  Board 
commenced  correspondence  with  the  proprietors  of  our  Church  papers, 
which  was  kept  up  for  some  months,  but  no  practical  results  were 
reached:  and  the  Boar;l  had  almost  concliuled  thai  the  union  bv  means 


430  PART  VI.,  AGENCIES  OF  THE  ASSEMBLY. 

of  correspondence  was  a  failure.  The-  Boavd  was  anxious,  but  the  dif- 
ficulties of  prices,  payments,  etc.,  seemed  insurmountable.  At  this 
juncture,  Rev.  S.  P.  Chesnut,  proprietor  of  the  ndniicr  of  I'carr,  placed 
his  paper  in  the  hands  of  Rev.  J.  C.  Provine,  D.D.,  to  sell  to  the  Board; 
and  the  Board,  after  mature  deliberation,  being  anxious  to  carry  out 
the  expressed  will  of  the  Assembly,  bought  the  Bdiinrr  of  I'lurc  It  was 
then  the  intention  of  the  Board  to  publish  that  paper  for  the  Church, 
and  make  the  best  that  could  be  done  with  it.  The  Board  expected 
to  pay  for  the  Banner  as  soon  as  it  could,  and  then  purchase  the 
others.  On  calculation  of  all  its  expenses  and  income,  it  was  clear 
that  the  most  the  Board  could  da  with  the  litnincr  aione,  would  be 
to  sustain  the  paper  in  a  high  state  of  efficiency.  The  income  over 
expenses  might  be  something,  but  necessarily  small.  The  Church 
would  have  to  donate  the  money  to  make  most  of  the  p.ayments  on  the 
purchase.     Still  the  Board  went  forward. — 1S7.5,  p.  56. 

The  Board  met  almost  daily  to  discuss  plans.  At  one  of  these  meet- 
ings it  was  suggested  to  renew  the  attempt  to  buy  the  CuiiibnUind 
rroihyU-rian  and  unite  it  with  the  lUminr.  The  President,  urged  by 
the  Board,  went  to  St.  Louis  and  Alton  with  the  sole  object  of  trying, 
in  good  faith,  to  carry  out  the  will  of  the  Assembly.  The  mission 
was  successful,  and  the  terms  made  satisfactory  to  all,  without  sub- 
mitting the  valuation  to  disinterested  parties.  The  office,  presses, 
type,  etc.,  of  that  paper,  were  removed  to  Nashville.  The  Board 
continued  an  office  in  St.  Louis,  where  all  business  could  be  trans- 
acted for  the  paper,  as  before. — iSTo,  p.  57. 

As  the  Vumbcrland  I'irsbyterian  was  brought  South,  the  Board  deemed 
it  right,  and  demanded  by  the  situation,  to  have  the  editor  from  the 
North.  The  South  could  not  complain,  for  it  had  the  location;  the 
North  could  not  complain,  for  it  had  ihe  editor.  And  if  consolidation 
ever  was  to  be  a  fact,  there  must  be  mutual  concession.  Led  by  those 
reflections,  the  Board  acted  conscientiously,  with  the  good  of  the  whole 
Church  in  view. 

Rev.  Dr.  J.  R.  Brown  was  chosen  editor,  not  only  for  the  considera- 
tion above  given,  but  because  he  had  demonstrated  his  capacity  in 
the  editorial  chair. 

In  a  short  time  negotiations  were  resumed  with  Rev.  J.  H.  Wofford, 
which  resulted  in  the  purchase  of  the  Tc.ias  CiiiiibcrhiiKl  J'lrxbijtcrian 
list,  and  its  union  with  the  others.  This  too,  v.'us  done  without  the 
aid  of  disinterested  parties.  The  results  then  hoped  to  be  attained, 
and  now  attained  in  fact,  were  the  following: 

1.  All  parties  of  the  Church  can  speak  their  views  on  all  proper 
questions,  through  the  same  paper,  to  a  greatly  multiplied  audi- 
ence. 

2.  More  matter  is  given  to  the  reader  than  either  paper  gave  before. 


THE  P.OAk'n  OF  Pl'ULICATIOX.  431 

3.  A  paper  so  largely  patronized,  will  enhance  the  dignity  of  the 
Church. 

4.  Preachers  and  members  can  get  all  Church  news  by  taking  one 
paper. 

u.  Advertisements  can  be  increased  in  price,  and  made  remunerative. 

6.  The  expense  of  two  editors  is  saved,  and  the  composition  of  two 
papers.  This  saving  goes  to  the  Church  to  help  bttild  up  the  cause  of 
ptiblication.  This  saving  will,  it  is  believed,  in  a  few  years  go  far  to- 
ward paying  for  the  papers. 

The  General  Assembly  did  not  tell  the  Board  how  It  must  effect 
this  work,  but  left  the  Board  to  its  discretion.  The  end  has  been  ac- 
complished. All  the  papers  of  the  Church  have  been  purchased  at 
prices  satisfactory  to  their  oM'ners  and,  in  the  opinion  of  the  Board, 
just  to  the  Church.  The  prices  were  the  lowest  possible  to  be  ob- 
tained from  the  proprietors;  nor  could  any  purchaser,  except  the 
Church,  have  obtained   these   papers   lor  the  amounts  agreed   upon. 

■jiiE  i:xtii;k  deut  and   when   die. 

The  debt  of  the  Church  for  the  consolidated  papers  is  as  follows: 

To  Rev.  S.  P.  Chesnut  for  his  list  and  office $10,000  00 

To  Brown  &  Perrin  for  their  list  and  office 13.000  00 

To  Rev.  J.  H.  Wofford  for  his  list 2,500  00 

Total  debt $25,500  00 

Paid  on  this  debt: 

To  Rev.  S.  P.  Chesnut %  2.500  00 

To  Brown   &   Perrin 3.150  00—$  5, (350  00 

Balance  due  on   whole   debt $19,850  00 

This  amount  is  due  as  follows: 

DIE     IN    THE    VEAi;    1875. 

Note  to  Rev.   .1.    H.   Wofford,    May   20 $   1,000  00 

Note  to  Rev.  S.   P.  Chesnut,  Sept.   1 4,408  26 

Note  to  Rev.  J.   H.   WofTord,   Dec.   1 750  00—$  6.158  26 

DIE  IX  THE  vEAi;  1870. 

Note  to  Brown  &  Perrin,  Jan.  1 %  2,000  00 

Note  to  Rev.  S.  P.  Chesnut,  Sept.  1 4,000  00 

Note  to  J.  H.  Wofford,  Dec.  1 750  00 

Assumed  notes  of  Brown  &  Perrin  for  press 1,850  00—     8.600  00 

DUE    IX    THE    YEAi:    1877. 

Note  to  Brown  and   Perrin.  .Jan.   1 2,000  00 


432  PART  VI.,  AGENCIES  OF  THE  ASSEMBLY. 

DLE    l.N    THE    1EAU    1878. 

Note  to  Brown  &  Perrin,  Jan.  1 2.000  000 

DIE    IN    THE    YEAi;    1879. 

Note  to  Brown  and   Perrin,  Jan.   1 2,000  00 

$20,758  26 
E>y  accounts  transferred  to  the  Board  by  Rev.  S.  P. 

Chesnut 908  26 

Balance  of  principal  due  on  wliole  debt $19,850  00 

■lllE    OKDEi;    ()!•     TUE    (  IIUUCU. 

The  Church  has  wrought  this  work.  The  Board  has  been  only  the 
agent,  but  it  has  proceeded  with  great  caution,  step  by  step.  Now  it 
is  accomplished,  and  the  desire  expressed  by  two  past  Assemblies  has 
been  carried  out.  All  our  schools,  Boards,  Presbyteries,  church  Ses- 
sions, and  individuals,  may  speak  out  in  this  Church  paper. 

THE    ITMISEUI.A.M)    I'UE.si; VTEIIIAN. 

Ihe  Board  at  first  adopted  the  name  of  the  Jifiniifr-rrcsliiitrriini.  but, 
after  a  few  issues,  it  became  evident  that  the  voice  of  the  Church,  to 
which  the  Board  is  ever  willing  to  listen,  was  for  the  present  name — 
('iiiiiliCf-Unnl   I'rcKhiiU  lUui. 

liEC;lLATlONS    ADOl'TEI)     1!Y     THE     jiOAKU    Ui'    IMIiEKATK  ).\ ,     0(    lOIiEi;,    1874. 

1.  That  the  consolidated  paper  be  called  the  Ciiiiilxrland  I'n sbijtcrian. 

2.  That  the  Ciniibi  iIhikI  I'fcslij/Ur'KDi  is  designed  to  be  the  organ  of 
the  Church,  not  of  any  particular  portion  or  part  the'-eof,  nor  of 
any  special  enterprise,  but  of  all  otir  enterprises,  not  advocating  one 
to  the  pi>ejudice  of  others. 

3.  That  Rev.  J.  R.  Brown,  D.D.,  be  its  editor. 

4.  That  Rev.  M.  B.  DeWitt  be,  as  heretofore,  editor  ol  the  (!ciii,  .v/(/i- 
ddjj  Morning,  llcdiiiin,  and  the  Books. 

5.  Disctission  is  invited  on  all  proper  questions,  but  it  will  be  con- 
ducted in  such  a  manner  as  not  to  reflect  in  a  personal  sense  upon 
those  engaged  in  it.     No  personalities  of  any  kind  will  be  allowed. 

6.  Each  editor  will  iiave  general  control  of  his  columns,  and  the 
Board  submits  to  their  wisdom  and  faithfulness  the  interests  of  the 
Church:  but  on  all  questions  of  doubt  that  may  arise,  the  Board  will 
advise  and  decide. 

7.  Select  advertisements,  representing  real  parties  and  interests  that 
the  Board  can  recommend,  will  be  published,  but  no  "blind"'  or  doubt- 
ful ones. 


THE  nuARD  OF  PUB  LI  CAT  I  OX.  433 

8.  That  an  agent  be  employed,  whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  solicit 
donations  to  the  Board,  attend  to  its  general  interest  and  business, 
and  secure,  as  far  as  may  be,  ihe  hearty  patronage  and  co-operation 
of  the  Church  in  the  work  of  the  Board.  That  Rev.  T.  C.  Blake,  D.D., 
fill  that  office. 

9.  That  T.  11.  Perrin  be  manager  of  the  entire  Printing  Department 
of  the  Board. 

10.  That  J.  M.  Logan,  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  is  appointed  Agent  of  the 
Board  at  that  point  to  receive  subscriptions  and  money  for  the  papers, 
and  solicit  advertisements  and  job  work.  Persons  can  have  the  same 
•attention  in  that  office  that  they  can   in   Nashville. 

LISTS    AT    TIME    t)T     I  MO.N. 

When  the  three  lists  were  broi:ght  together,  a  large  number  of  sub- 
scribers were  found  to  be  taking  two  papers,  and  some  taking  three 
papers.  Great  difficulties  and  some  delay  were  found  inevitable  in  ad- 
justing the  list:5,  before  the  paper  could  be  gotten  into  easy  working 
condition.  The  entire  list  at  present  is  "jetween  seven  thousand  five 
hundred,  and  eight  thousand. 

EESUI-TS    OF    TUE    VXIOX. 

As  was  expected,  the  union  created  a  decided  sentiment  in  the 
Church.  Nothing,  perhaps,  has  ever  so  stirred  it.  At  one  time 
there  was  serious  opyositicn,  and  some  talk  of  starting  another 
paper:  but  better  counsels  prevailed,  and  for  months  past,  the  feel- 
ing has  been  gaining  ground,  to  aid  and  support  the  Church  paper. 
The  sentiments  of  opposition,  as  they  have  come  to  our  office,  as 
compared  with  approvals,  are  overwhelmingly  in  the  minority. 
There  is  now  a  general  approval  of  the  paper  in  its  editorial  man- 
agement, quality  of  paper,  typography,  quantity  of  matter,  and  style. 
It  now  favorably  compares  ^\ith  the  great  journals  of  other  Churches. 
The  Board  has,  from  the  first,  maintained  the  most  amicable  relations 
with  its  editors  and  agent.  All  have  worked  with  zeal,  rarely,  if  ever 
before  equalled,  for  the  common  good. — 1875.  pp.   57-60. 

The  Church  now  has  one  paper.  It  has  wrought  this  work.  The 
Board  has  acted  as  its  agent,  and,  in  the  opinion  of  your  Committee, 
has  proceeded  with  caution:  and  now  that  the  expressed  wishes  of 
the  Church  have  been  carried  out  in  thi.s  matter,  the  v.'hole  Church 
may  speak  out  through  its  own  organ  on  all  questions  touching  its 
interests  at  home  and  abroad.  You  should  urge  all  your  members 
to  make  every  possible  elTort  to  circulate  the  CidiiheiUnjil  Prrsliutrrian 
as  widely  as  possible,  as  a  means  of  securing  the  sympathy  of  the 
entire  membership  v.ith  all   your  enterprises.     .     .     . 

The  Committee  has  examined  carefully  a  petition  and  memorial 
from   the   Presbytery   of   Vandalia,    addressed   to    your   body,    and   re- 


434  PART  II..  AGENCIES  OE  THE  ASSEMBL)'. 

feiTed  to  us.  The  memorialists  ariirm  that  they  believe  the  policy  of 
consolidating  the  various  papers  "is  unwise,  and  not  for  the  best 
interests  of  the  Church."  Concerning  the  wisdom  of  this  policy,  two 
preceding  Assemblies  have  made  explicit  and  emphatic  declarations, 
and  we  fail  to  discover  any  reason  why  this  sentiment  should  now 
be  changed.  We  believe  it  remains  for  the  future  to  show  whether  or 
not  it  is  for  "the  best  interests  of  the  Church."  We  recognize  the 
iact  that  there  are  reasonable  grounds  for  a  difference  of  opinion  on 
this  subject,  but,  in  the  great  emergency  now  upon  us,  when  such 
vital  interests  are  at  stake,  there  can  be  no  question  as  to  the  duty 
of  every  member  of  the  Church  to  give  his  undivided  support  to  the 
enterprise  which  has  been  committed  by  the  Church  into  the  hands 
of  the  Board.  If  all  portions  of  the  Church  will  co-operate  with 
the  servants  of  the  General  Assembly  in  carrying  forward  the  work 
which  they  have  laidertaiien,  we  do  not  believe  the  local  interests 
of  any  will  materially  suffer.  However,  the  General  Assembly  will 
ever  guard,  jealously,  the  welfare  of  all  alike,  and  if  experience  should 
shovv-  that  the  paper  is  not  properly  meeting  the  demands  of  the 
whole  Church,  then  such  change  of  policy  can  be  made  as  will  ac- 
complish this  end.  Let  the  policy  now  adopted  have  a  fair  trial. 
Whatever  the  future  may  reveal,  the  present  calls  for  forbearance  and 
unanimity  of  action.  We  do  not,  therefore,  believe  it  would  be  wise 
to  recommend  at  present  any  change  in  the  location  of  the  Board,  or 
the  paper,  or  the  policy  of  publishing  one  paper  for  the  whole  Church. 
Adopted.— 187.5,  pp.  20,  21. 

(1)  J.  U.  ISniini,  D.D.,  Editur. — As  announced  in  the  foregoing  re- 
port (1875,  p.  57),  Rev.  .J.  R.  Brown,  D.D.,  was  chosen  editor. 

So  gracious  was  last  year's  approval  of  our  work,  and  so  fervent 
were  the  appeals  to  the  churches  to  give  this  cause  their  ardent  sup- 
port and  a  fair  trial,  tliat  we  confidently  hoped  to  be  able  to  present 
to  this  General  Assembly  a  united  communion  in  support  of  the  great 
work  of  consolidation  and  publication.  And  this  unity  is,  we  think, 
substantially  true.     .     .     . 

Your  Board  is  glad  to  be  able  to  say  tirat,  notwithstanding  the . 
continued  financial  pressure  in  the  coi-ntry,  and  the  fact  that 
money,  even  in  small  amounts,  v/as  not  to  be  obtained  by  many  of 
our  best  members  and  people  sympathizing;  and  the  fact  that  many 
religious  papers  of  other  Churches  have  suffered  the  loss  of  large  per 
cents  of  their  lists,  the  ('Kiiiherlfiiid  Pirshi/ieriaii  ha.s  the  largest  paying 
list  to-day  that  it  ever  had.  It  now  has  7,680  subscribers. — 187G,  pp. 
68,  69. 

While  we  would  not  call  in  question  the  right  of  any  citizen  of  this 
country  to  publish  a  religious  paper,  whether  a  member  of  our  Church 
or  any  other,  the  propriety  of  so  doing,  when  the  General  Assembly. 


THE  HOARD  OF  PUBLICATION.  435 

through  the  Board  of  Publication,  has  undertalven  to  publish  one  for 
the  whole  Church,  is  quite  another  question,  and  especially  when  the 
Cliurch  has  invested  its  money  and  bought  out  all  the  papers  owned 
by  individual  members,  so  as  not  to  conliict  with  them,  and  thereby 
depreciate  the  value  of  their  property.  There  must,  of  necessity,  be 
a  dilierence  of  opinion  as  to  questions  of  policy,  and  unless  the 
minority  acquiesce  in  the  decision  of  the  majority,  there  is  an  end 
of  all  church  government,  and  all  must  result  in  confusion,  division 
of  effort,  and  failure  to  accomplish  the  work  which  we  all  have  so 
mucii  at  heart.  We  would,  therefore,  most  earnestly  recommend  to 
all  the  members  of  our  beloved  Church,  to  abstain  from  doing  any- 
thing" that  has  even  the  appearance  of  opposition  to  any  enterprise 
in  Avhicli  the  whole  Church  is  engaged,  and  co-operate  in  sustaining 
all  the  enterprises  of  the  Church.     Adopted. — 187G,  pp.  22,  23. 

As  your  servants,  we  would  be  untrue  to  you  did  we  not  tell 
you  that  the  papers  which  have  been  published,  and  which  are  likely 
to  be  published,  by  individuals,  in  the  interest,  as  is  claimed,  of  our 
denomination,  ha^i^e  had  a  tendency  to  engender  dissatisfaction  with 
the  General  x\.ssembly's  plan  of  a  consolidated  paper,  and  to  diminish 
the  hearty  co-operation  which  it  would  have  commanded  had  not 
these  hindrances  interposed.  These  declarations  are  made,  not  in 
anger,  but  in  sorrow^;  nor  does  the  Board  presume  even  to  suggest  to 
you  the  remedy  in  the  case,  but  simply  states  facts,  as  it  conceives 
them  to  exist,  leaving  it  to  you  to  provide  that  wise  and  efficient 
legislation  which  will  protect  the  publishing  interests  of  the  Church. 
By  your  direction,  the  Board  sent  agents  into  the  field  tO'  solicit 
means  to  pay  the  large  debt  v/hich  was  incurred  by  your  authority 
in  the  purchase  of  the  weekly  papers.  Noble  men  and  women  re- 
sponded to  the  call  made  by  these  agents;  but  they  did  so  with  the 
impression  that  consolidation  meant  something,  and  that  the  General 
Assembly  would  protect  itself  against  any  and  all  undertakings  which, 
whether  so  designed  or  not,  tend  to  depreciate  a  franchise  or  a  privi- 
lege for  which  it  agreed  to  pay  a  large  sum  of  the  Church's  money, 
rather  than  in  any  way  interfere  with  the  rights  of  all  those  good 
brethren  who  then  owned  and  published  papers  for  the  Church. 
But,  discouraging  as  some  of  the  features  of  this  work  have  been, 
yet  the  Board  would  not  have  the  General  Assembly  to  understand 
that  it  is  disheartened;  far  from  it.  The  consolidated  paper  to-day 
has  more  subscribers  than  all  the  weeklies  combined  ever  had.  There 
have  come  to  us  from  all  classes  of  men,  in  the  ministry  and  in 
the  laity,  the  strongest  expressions  of  commendation  in  regard  to 
your  paper;  and  it  may  also  be  stated  in  this  connection,  that  the 
Presbyteries  and  Synods  have,  with  singular  unanimity,  endorsed 
the  General  Assembly's  plan  of  one  paper  for  the  whole  Church. 
The    great    body   of   your   membership    are   delighted    with    your    plan 


-436  FART  IT.,  AGEXC/ES  OF  THE  ASSEMBLY. 

— are  rejoiced  Ihat  they  can  get  news  from  all  parts  of  the  Church 
in  one  paper,  and  at  so  small  a  cost.  Indeed,  it  affords  us  pleasure 
to  say  that  our  confidence  in  tlie  plan  grows  stronger  and  stronger 
day  by  day.  We  believe  most  sincerely  that  it  is  the  best  for  the 
Church  in  every  regard.  We  concur  most  heartily  witli  you  in  the 
sentiment  that  it  is  the  most  just,  uniform,  stable,  and  cheap  method 
of  furnishing  a  religious  paper  adapted  to  the  wants  of  me  Church. 
So  strong  are  our  sentiments  upon  the  subject  that,  should  the  As- 
sembly believe,  in  order  to  make  the  plan  more  efiicacious,  a  change 
of  location  of  the  Board  would  be  beneficial,  we  beg  to  announce 
distinctly  that,  pretermitting  our  personal  convictions,  we  will  most 
cheerfully  acquie%,ce  in  any  decision  which  may  be  made  upon  that 
point,  and  we  also  agree  to  give  the  enterprise  our  most  hearty  sup- 
port, let  it  be  located  where  it  may.  In  fact,  we  conceive  it  to  be 
the  highest  duty  of  the  General  Assembly  to  place  it  where  it  can 
best  subserve  the  interests  of  the  whole  Church,  ignoring  all  sec- 
tional preferences  or  personal  considerations.  This  suggestion  is 
made,  not  by  way  of  indicating  to  the  General  Assembly  a  line  of 
policy  which  it  ought  to  pursue,  but  to  show  that  the  simple  idea  of 
location  is  not,  with  us,  an  element  in  the  consideration  of  this  im- 
portant question. — 1877,  p.  57. 

The  General  Assembly  disapproves  of  the  publication  of  weekly 
papers  claiming  to  be  published  in  the  interest  of  the  Church,  except 
the  one  published  by  the  Board  of  Publication,  in  accordance  with 
the  action  of  former  General  Assemblies,  unless  the  persons  desir- 
ing to  issue  such  publications  shall  have  first  obtained  the  consent  of 
the  General  Assembly.  That,  in  order  that  the  Ciniibcrldiiil  I'lcshj/tc.- 
rUtn  may  be  still  further  improved,  and  its  usefulness  increased,  it 
is  recommended  that  the  Board  of  Publication,  as  far  as  practicable, 
employ  contributors  or  associate  editors  in  various  parts  of  the  Church, 
to  whom  reasonable  compensation  shall  be  paid.  Adopted. — 1877, 
p.   22. 

There  has  been  during  Ihe  year  another  very  great  embarrassment 
•confronting  the  Board  in  its  efforts  to  serve  the  Church,  viz.,  the 
opposition  which  has  been  w^aged  against  its  w'ork  by  the  weekly 
papers  published  by  individuals  in  the  interest,  it  is  claimed,  of  our 
denomination.  The  Board  thought  that  the  action  of  the  last  General 
Assembly,  in  connection  with  the  plain  and  positive  declarations  of 
four  preceding  consecutive  Assemblies,  would  be  sufficient  to  induce 
the  brethren  who  were  publishing  said  papers  to  desist.  But  in  this 
opinion  the  Board  was  mistaken.  The  authority  of  the  General  As- 
sembly, upon  this  point,  has  not  been  heeded.  On  the  contrary,  the 
opposition  during  the  past  year  has  been  the  most  vigorous  that  has 
yet  been  made  \ipon  the   Board  of  Publication  and   its   work.     Believ- 


THE  BOARD  OF  PLIiLICATIOX.  -137 

ing  that  the  Church  wanted  peace  and  not  strife,  the  Board  has 
made  no  reply,  preferring,  as  it  did,  to  endure  such  things  for  Christ's 
sake  and  for  the  salve  of  the  Church,  rather  than  to  engage  in  a 
controversy  which  not  only  promised  no  good,  but  was  pregnant  with 
evil,  and  evil  only.  Had  those  who  have  labored  so  earnestly  and  per- 
sistently in  opposition  to  the  work  of  the  Board,  expended  the  same 
energy  in  trying  to  build  up  the  enterprise,  the  Board  would,  to-day, 
no  doubt,  not  only  be  out  of  debt,  but  every  interest  committed  to 
its  hands  would,  it  is  believed,  be  in  a  more  prosperous  condition,  and 
the  Church,  throughout  its  length  and  breadth,  would  be  in  fraternal 
accord  upon  the  great  v/ork  of  publication. — 1S7S,  p.   41. 

Vv'e  have  had  before  us  a  memorial  from  Union  Presbytery,  asking, 
for  reasons  therein  contained,  that  the  first  clause  of  the  seventh  item 
in  the  Report  of  the  Committee  on  Publication,  adopted  a  year  ago, 
be  rescinded.  This  clause  expresses  the  General  Assembly's  disap- 
proval of  the  publication  of  any  religious  papers  in  the  interest  of 
our  Church,  except  the  Ciiiiibciiaud  Prrxbi/tcnaii.  We  also  have  before 
us  a  memorial  from  the  Tehuacana  Presbytery,  asking  such  modifica- 
tion of  the  action  of  former  Assemblies,  as  to  permit  the  publication 
of  a  Cumberland  Presbyterian  paper  in  Texas.  In  substantial  re- 
sponse to  these  memorials  we  recommend  the  following:  The  action 
of  former  Assemblies  in  purchasiiig  and  consolidating  into  one,  the 
Church  papers  then  published,  was  the  inauguration  of  a  policy  dic- 
tated by  the  desire  and  the  necessity  then  felt  for  more  united  effort 
by  the  entire  membership  in  support  of  the  enierpriues  of  the  Church, 
and  the  favor  with  which  it  was  received,  is  evidenced  by  the  approval 
of  a  large  majority  of  the  Synods  and  Presbyteries,  and  by  the  strongest 
possible  endorsement  of  succeeding  General  Assemblies,  as  v/ell 
as  by  the  liberal  and  prompt  manner  in  which  our  people  have  ex- 
tended material  aid.  In  view  of  these  facts,  it  is  deemed  unwise  to 
disturb  or  interfere  with  said  policy,  and,  while  this  Assembly  does 
not  undertake  by  authority  to  prevent  the  publication  of  weekly  papers 
by  individual  members  of  tire  Church,  nor  does  it  require  such  per- 
sons to  apply  to  it  for  permission  to  do  the  same,  yet  it  does  hereby 
express  the  desire  that  the  whole  Church,  both  ministers  and  mem- 
bers, w^ould,  with  entire  unanimity,  combine  in  the  support  of  a  policy 
so  thoroughly  established.  This  Assembly  does,  therefore,  earnestly 
urge  all  our  people  to  patronize  the  Citiiiberlainl  I'ri'^hytcnan  as  the 
only  authorized  weekly  organ  of  our  Church,  also  to  assist  and  en- 
courage the  Board  of  Publication  in  all  its  work.  Adopted. — 1878, 
pp.  28,  29. 

The  above  report  shows  the  actual  condition  of  affairs.  The  Church 
has  been  quiet  during  the  whole  year.  The  action  of  the  last  General 
Assembly  has  been  accepted  as  opening  the  door  for  all  men  to  pub- 


438  PART  VI.,  AGENCIES  OE  THE  ASSEMBLY. 

lish  newspapers,  and  another  paper  lias  been  started  in  Texas  by 
Bxotlier  Wofiord,  whose  paper  and  interest  you  bought  and  paid  for 
a  few  years  ago.  The  effort  to  allay  all  strife  by  the  action  of  the 
Assembly  last  year  at  Lebanon,  it  was  thought  would  give  new  life 
and  many  working  friends  to  the  Board.  We  have  not  found  it  so.— 
1879,  p.  70. 

Til  the  General  .Ls-seiiibli/  of  the  Ciiiiiberlanil  j'>r.-:l>!iteri(in  Vhitreh: 

Dear  Siks  am>  Buetuke.n. — I  beg  herein  to  submit  to  you  my  resig- 
nation as  President  and  as  a  Member  of  your  Board  of  Publication. 
My  labors  are  now  too  arduous,  and  my  strength  too  much  impaired, 
to  allow  my  continuance  in  your  Board.  I  have  been  your  servant 
in  this  capacity  for  twenty-one  years,  having  been  appointed  on  your 
'■Committee  of  Publication,"  at  Huntsville,  in  May,  1858,  with  Andrew 
Allison  and  Wiley  M.  Reed.  I  have  worked  for  your  interests  all 
these  years,  except  the  four  years  during  the  war,  when,  by  your 
order,    the   Board   was   removed    to   Pittsburg,    Pennsylvania. 

As  this  is  the  last  communication  I  will  ever  have  with  you  on 
the  subject,  you  will  pardon  me  for  saying  that  I  have  always  and 
in  every  act  endeavored  most  faithfully  to  advance  your  publishing  in- 
terests, and  to  carry  out  your  commands  from  year  to  year. 

When  I  went  to  Louisville  in  1858,  and  gathered  up  the  effects 
of  your  Board,  they  consisted  of  a  few  old  books  and  worn-out  types, 
all  of  which  could  have  been  enclosed  in  two  boxes  four  feet  square. 
From  that  date,  publishing  has  claimed  a  large  share  of  your  at- 
tention up  to  1873,  when,  on  a  memorial  from  Bell  Presbytery,  the  sub- 
ject of  buying  and  consolidating  the  Church  papers  was  begun. 
This  subject  received  more  consideration  by  the  Assemblies  of  1873, 
1874,  1875,  and  1876,  than  perhaps  was  ever  given  to  any  other  subject 
in  the  Church.  And  if  there  ever  was  a  subject  the  Church  and  its 
wise  men  were  agreed  on,  I  thought -it  was  this.  The  Board  went  for- 
ward and  bought  and  consolidated  the  papers.  It  has  ever  since  worked, 
individually  and  by  agents,  in  every  possible  honest  way  to  build 
up  a  large  publishing  interest  for  the  Church.  But  as  soon  as  con- 
solidation was  a  fact,  opposing  brethren  began  to  spring  up  in  the 
Church.  Some  of  these  oppositions  were  open,  but  many  were  silent; 
they  said  nothing  against  the  Board,  but  their  opinions  were  averse 
and  became  known,  and  this  silent  opposition  has  had  its  deadly  ef- 
fect. In  a  year  or  two  more  these  brethren  began  to  write  openly 
against  the  Board.  They  began,  in  fact,  to  pull  down  an  institution 
which  the  Church  had  ordered  the  Board  to  build  up.  They  grew 
in  numbers  and  boldness  until  an  opposition  paper  was  started,  and 
then  another,  yet  the  Assembly  stood  up  to  its  Board,  and  most 
heartily  endorsed  its  actions  and  condemned  the  opposition  up  to  and 
through  the  Assembly  at  Lincoln,  in  1877.  And  then  the  next  Assem- 
bly,  at  Lebanon,   in   1878,   surrendered,   as   I   think,   to   the   opposition, 


THE  BOARD  OF  Pi'BLICATIOX.  \?,^ 

and  allowed  all  men  to  publish  papers  who  chose  to  do  so.  I  lost 
hope  then  of  any  great  and  permanent  benefits.  It  w-as  plain  that  the 
opposition  to  the  Board,  though  too  weak  to  do  any  good  itself, 
was  too  strong  to  allow  a  struggling  Board  to  succeed.  This  oppo- 
sition culminated  at  Lebanon,  and  succeeded,  and  the  result  has  been 
general  paralysis  of  effort  for  the  Board  all  over  the  Church.  Breth- 
ren who  subscribed  donation  notes  to  pay  out  the  debt,  and  which 
would  pay  about  three  times  what  we  now  owe,  fail  to  pay  their 
notes.  In  the  quarter  assigned  by  the  Assembly  to  publication  this 
fiscal  year,  the  Board  received  nothing  of  moment,  though  appeal  after 
appeal  went  out  from  our  Agent  and  from  the  Board.  Our  subscrip- 
tion lists  have  fallen  off,  and  there  is  little  demand  for  our 
books. 

It  is  true  that  in  one  sense  the  work  of  the  Board  is  a  success.  It 
has  paid  on  the  purchase  money  of  the  papers  over  $20,000,  and  it  has 
secured  donation  notes  to  paj^  three  times  what  it  now  owes.  But 
just  here  comes  in  the  opposition  to  paralyze  the  collection  of  these 
notes,  to  paralyze  collections  in  general,  and  to  paralyze  our  patronage 
to  the  papers. 

In  the  face  of  such  opposition,  is  it  reasonable  to  expect  that  any 
Board,  or  any  cause  of  the  Church,  can  ever  succeed?  And  can  the 
Church  expect  its  men  to  roll  the  heavy  stone  forever  to  the  top  of  the 
hill,  when,  like  Sisyphus,  they  must  see  it  elude  their  grasp  and  roll 
back  to  the  bottom. 

With  malice  to  none,  I  beg  now  to  retire  to  the  wnde  and  peaceful 
fields  of  education.  W.  E.  Ward. — 1879,  pp.  70,  71. 

The  undersigned  members  of  the  Board  of  Publication,  being  of  the 
opinion  that,  under  the  circumstances  now^  surrounding  the  publish- 
ing interests  of  the  Church,  it  is  their  duty  to  tender  their  resignation, 
respectfully  do  so. 

We  take  pleasure  in  bearing  testimony  to  the  uniform  zeal  and  in- 
terest manifested  by  Dr.  Ward  in  the  success  of  the  cause  of  pub- 
lication, and  his  uniform  kindness  and  courtesy  to  his  associates  in 
the  Board.     Respectfully  submitted, 

Joii.x    Frizzell, 
Joiix  M.  Gaut, 
W.  C.  Smith, 
P.   H.  Maxlove. 
1879,  p.  71. 

We  recommend  that  you  do  not  accept  the  resignation  of  John 
Frizzell,  John  M.  Gaut,  and  P.  H.  Manlove;  and  that  in  the  acceptance 
of  the  resignation  of  the  President,  Dr.  Ward,  it  is  with  a  high  appre- 
ciation of  his  faithful  work,  and,  indeed,  of  the  work  of  the  whole 
Board.  Dr.  Ward  and  Brother  Smith  leave  you  no  alternative  but 
to  accept  their  resignations.     Adopted.— 1879,  p.  31. 


440  ]\IRJ'  I'l..  .1(,J:XCI/£S  OF  J'HF  ASSliMJiLY. 

The  increase  of  the  circulation  of  the  ('iiinbvrldinl  J'iv-'<bij(ciiaii  was 
regarded  as  a  mode  of  increasing  receipts,  which  would  at  the  same 
time,  in  other  respects,  most  advance  the  interests  of  the  Church.  I 
accordingly  addressed  an  official  communication  to  all  of  the  Pres- 
byteries which  met  during  the  Summer  and  Fall,  urging  this  work 
upon  the  attention  of  the  ministers,  and  pointing  out  to  them  the 
Board's  inability  to  perform  it  except  through  their  instrumentality. 
The  result  has  been  an  increase  of  the  list  of  that  publication  from 
5,760  to  9,050. 

The  financial  situation  of  the  Board  has  thus  been  greatly  re- 
lieved, and  incalculable  good  has  otherwise  been  done  to  the  Church. 
For  this  important  achievement  the  Church  owes  a  debt  of  gratitude 
to  its  ever  faithful  and  devoted  ministers.  With  their  own  individual 
and  local  difTiculties  to  contend  against,  they  have  cheei'fully  as- 
sumed this  additional  burden,  and  have  done  an  important  work  for 
the  Church  at  large  which  the  Board,  without  their  agency,  could  not 
possibly  have  effected. — ISSO,  p.  S2. 

It  seems  now  to  be  the  desire  of  the  Church  that  no  obstacles  be 
placed  in  the  way  of  any  brother's  publisliing  a  religious  paper  who 
may  desire  to  do  so. — 1S80,  p.  22. 

The  foregoing  report  of  the  Committee  on  Publication  was  amended 
by  striking  out  the  words:  "It  seems  now  to  be  the  desire  of  the 
Church  that  no  obstacles  be  placed  in  the  way  of  any  brother's  pub- 
lishing a  religious  paper  who  may  desire  to  do  so;"  and  as  thus 
amended  the  report  was  adopted. — 1880,  p.  22. 

(2)  D.  J/.  U(/nis,  D.I).,  Jiiiiit  Editor.— H.  M.  Harris,  D.D..  entered 
upon  his  duties  as  joint  editor,  in  July,  18S3. 

(3)  •/.  li.  Jiruini,  D.I).,  /v^/rr.s.— During  the  year,  from  considerations 
of  economy,  convenience,  and  other  more  important  interests  of  your 
publisliing  work,  we  found  it  necessary,  in  our  opinion,  to  make 
changes  in  the  editorial  work,  which  involved  dispensing  with  the  ser- 
vices of  Rev.  J.  R.  Brown,  D.D.— 1885,  p.  89. 

(4)  ./.  J/.  Iloirfird,  D.D.,  Joint  Editor. — We  secured  the  services,  at  a 
salary  of  $1,500,  of  the  Rev.  J.  M.  Howard,  D.D.,  of  Carmichaels,  Pa. 
It  was  expected  that  his  work  would  be  the  editing  of  the  Sinidan  School 
Coiiiiiiciit><,  AV///.S  of  Lii/ht,  and  Lesson  Leaf,  the  editing  of  all  the  books, 
and,  to  a  limited  extent,  assisting  Dr.  Harris  on  the  Cinnhvrl/nid  I'rcx- 
ltlltrri<in.  At  his  urgent  request,  with  the  assent  of  Dr.  Harris,  the 
arrangement  was  modified  so  as  to  divide  between  them  the  book- 
editing  and  work  on  the  Sunday  school  periodicals  named,  thus  al- 
lowing him  more  time  on  the  CiinihrrJiind  ri(sl)i/ti rian.  The  qualifica- 
tions of  Dr.  Howard  for  the  work  in  question  we  think  need  no  com- 
mendation  from   us. — 1885,   p.   89. 


THE  nOARn  OF  JTB LIGATION.  441 

(5)  />.  .1/.  Ilanis,  n.l).,  retires. — In  August,  1S90.  Rev.  D.  M.  Harris, 
D.D.,  resigned  his  position  as  one  of  tlie  editors  of  the  Ciuubvrhtinl 
Preshiiteri'iii.  His  resignation  was  accepted,  and,  on  September  1,  1890, 
his  connection  with  the  Publishing  House  ceased.  Dr.  Harris  held 
this  position  about  eight  years,  and  discharged  his  duties  with  emi- 
nent ability,  being  recognized  as  one  of  the  strongest  and  most  vig- 
orous writers  in  our  Church.  Progressive  in  thought,  he  labored  as 
an  editor  earnestly  and  efficiently  for  the  advancement  of  the  Church 
in  all  departments  of  its  work.  Our  best  wishes  attend  him  wherever, 
in  the  providence  of  God,  his  lot  may  be  cast. — 1891,  p.  91. 

(6)  lirr.  Ira  Ijiiiilrilli,  Assneiale  Editor. — Rev.  Ira  Landrith,  then  in 
the  Theological  Department  of  Cumberland  University,  \va^  engaged 
to  make  headquarters  at  Kansas  City,  travel  much  of  his  time  in 
Texas,  Arkansas,  and  the  Northwest,  acting  as  an  associate  editor  of 
the  CiiiiilterldiKl  I'rexliiili ridii  and  agent  for  the  sale  of  books,  and  for 
extending  tiie  circulation  of  the  periodicals. — 1891,  p.  91. 

We  recommend  that  when  any  change  is  made  in  the  editorial  force 
of  the  CiiJiitii  rlfdid  I'resltiit(  ridii,  by  the  Board  of  Publication,  the  same 
be  submitted  to  the  General  Assembly  for  ratification.  Adopted. — 
1SS3,   p.   23. 

(7)  -f.  .1/.  Hoiranl,  D.IK,  retires. — During  the  year  J.  M.  Howard,  D.D., 
tendered  his  resignation  as  Editor  of  the  CninherhiiKl  I'rcslij/teridii.  and 
the  editorial  work  has  been  continued  by  Rev.  Ira  Landrith,  as  Man- 
aging Editor,  he  securing  the  services  of  various  persons  to  conduct 
departments  and  contribute  other  matter  at  stated  times.  We  feel 
amply  justified  in  stating  that  the  editorial  make-up  of  the  paper  has 
not  suffered  by  the  change.  We  cannot,  however,  report  the  severance 
of  the  official  connection  of  Dr.  Howard  with  the  paper,  without  re- 
ferring to  the  worthy  character  of  this  estimable  Christian  gentleman. 
From  1885  to  1895  he  has  been  one  of  the  Editors  of  the  Cuiiiberldiid 
I'reslji/teridii  and  part  of  the  time  acting  also  as  Book  Editor  and  Editor 
of  the  h'er'Kir.  He  was  a  man  of  extended  information,  a  writer  of 
pure  English,  conservative  and  prudent  in  his  disposition  and  methods 
and  a  man  of  most  exemplary  purity  of  character  and  genuine  piety. 
Severing  official  relations  with  such  a  man  is  necessarily  attended  with 
regret,  and  the  Board  will  ever  cherish  for  him  the  kindest  recollec- 
tions and  warmest  wishes  for  his  personal  welfare  and  success,  and 
they  receive,  with  great  satisfaction,  evidence  of  his  continuing  in- 
terest and  jeffort  in  behalf  of  the  publishing  work  of  the  Church.  We 
have  no  doubt  that  the  entire  Church  will  watch  with  pleasure  his 
future  career  into  whatever  field  of  usefulness  he  shall  enter. — 1896, 
p.  89. 

During  the  year,  J.  M.  Howard,  D.D..  tendered  his  resignation  as 
Editor   of   the    Ciiinberhnid    Prexlii/teriaii,    and    his    resignation    was    ac- 


442  PART  VI.,  AGENCIES  OE  THE  ASSEMBLY. 

cepted  by  the  Board.  Your  Committee  take  pleasure  in  saying  that 
Dr.  Howard  was  a  man  of  culture,  a  fine  writer,  conscientious  and 
faithful  in  his  work,  a  man  of  pure  and  exalted  character  and  of  deep 
piety.     Adopted. — 1890,  p.  35. 

(8)  I'lDf.  L.  Jj.  1{U<\  Associate  lUlitor. — Mr.  L.  L.  Rice,  Professor  of 
English  Literature  and  History  in  Cumberland  University,  has  been 
elected  as  one  of  the  editors  of  the  Ciinihrrlaiid  I'lvshiitniaii. — 189G,  p. 
89. 

Brother  L.  L.  Rice  having  determined  to  resume  educational  work, 
tendered  his  resignation,  to  take  effect  September  1st  next.  This 
resignation  was  accepted,  not,  however,  without  a  full  recognition  on 
the  part  of  the  Board  of  the  efficient  services  rendered  by  him,  and 
with  the  full  expectation  that  his  usefulness  to  the  Church  will  be 
materially  increased  in  that  sphere  of  work  to  wiiich  he  seems  most 
devoted.— 1S9S,   p.    142. 

{h)   iSahhatli  School  J'criudicals. 

The  Committee  on  Publication  recommend  that  you  earnestly 
solicit  all  your  churches  to  purchase  the  Sabbath  school  books,  oZ  your 
publication,  to  be  used  in  their  Sabbath  schools. 

That  your  Board  be  authorized  to  prepare  a  system  of  Uniform 
Lessons  for  use  in  your  Sabbath  schools  at  as  early  a  date  as  prac- 
ticable.    Adopted.— 1872,  p.  25. 

(1)  The  Sabbuth  School  Gem. — This  bright  little  paper  was  pur- 
chased by  the  Board  from  Dr.  T.  C.  Blake. 

The  subscriptions  to  the  (Icni,  at  the  time  of  purchase,  numbered 
about  15,000.  About  1,700  of  these  expired  on  the  eve  of  the  pur- 
chase, and  most  of  them  were  not  renewed  for  several  months  after- 
ward.    .     .     . 

The  Gem  has  increased  to  19,000  copies,  issued  for  May.  The  les- 
son papers  have  added  much  to  the  interest  and  acceptability  of  the 
Gviii.  The  old  contributors  and  quite  a  list  of  new  ones  have  kindly 
aided  this  important  work.  The  June  number  will  be  entirely  of 
original  matter.  The  Church  can  put  it  easily  to  25,000.  The  kind- 
ness of  the  Methodist  Publishing  House  has  again  been  shown  to  us 
in  giving  the  use  of  its  new  cuts  for  illustration. — 1873,  p.  69. 

Rev.  M.  D.  Dewitt,  D.D.,  was  selected  by  the  Board  as  Editor. — 
1873,  p.  68. 

The  ISahbatli  School  Gem  has  been  doing  notably  well.  In  little  over 
eight  months  of  1873,  more  than  10,000  copies  were  added  to  the 
number  issued  regularly  from  the  office,  making,  for  a  considerable 
time,  24,000  copies  actually  distributed  through  the  Church. — 1874, 
p.    82. 

(2)  Sundnii  Moniiii!). — After  much  consultation,  earnest  thought,  and 


Tin-:  HOARD  of  pl-blicatiox.  443 

prayer  to  God,  the  Board  determined  to  issue  a  monthly  for  the 
benefit  of  teachers,  parents  and  larger  classes  of  scholars  In  our  Sun- 
day schools.  The  Board  having  resolved  during  the  year  before  to 
adopt  and  publish  lessons  upon  the  International  Series  of  Sunday 
School  Lessons,  which  was  done  in  the  ,siibh(illi  !<clinnl  <lf'iii,  had 
special*  reference  in  the  monthly  journal  to  exyositions  of  the  Bible 
text  according  to  the  series  above  mentioned,  together  with  such  other 
matter  as  might  be  deemed  appropriate  to  such  a  publication.  The 
January  number  was  issued  in  November  of  last  year,  and  several 
thousand  specimen  copies  were  distributed  over  the  whole  Church. 
Responses  to  this  enterprise  of  the  Board  came  in  so  encouragingly 
that  the  2,000  copies  issued  for  February  were  all  demanded,  and  others 
which  could  not  be  supplied.  Still  the  demand  increases,  and  2,800 
copies  have  been  printed  for  May.  The  Church  is  giving  evidence 
of  wide-spread  interest  iii  this  young  and  important  periodical.  Its 
name  is  Suiidaii  Moniiinj.  It  is  bright  and  cheery,  fresh  and  evangelical, 
prompt  and  instructive,  and  has  elicited  the  strongest  approval  from 
every  quarter  of  the  Church  and  from  all  classes  of  people.  The 
Chaplain  of  the  Penitentiary  of  Tennessee  ordered  fifty  copies  for  the 
convicts.— 1874,  p.  82. 

S Hilda !/  M(jriiiii(/  is  certainly  one  of  the  most  handsome  publica- 
tions of  the  kind  in  the  country,  and  its  list  ought  to  be  at  least 
five  thousand.  Last  year  the  Board  realized  a  vei'y  handsome  little 
sum  from  the  advertising  columns  of  this  paper;  but  the  financial 
pressure  has  almost  entirely  cut  off  that  source  of  revenue  for  the 
present. — 1875,    p.    63. 

We  recommend  the  discontinuance,  for  the  present,  of  the  Suiiddy 
Miini'uifi,  and  that  obligations  to  its  subscribers  be  filled,  so  far  as 
possible,  with  credit  on  subscriptions  to  Gtin.  Adopted. — 1879,  p. 
32. 

(.3)  Our  Laiiilis. — For  more  than  twelve  months,  earnest  letters  have 
been  received  from  almost  every  portion  of  the  Church,  urging  the 
Board  to  issue  a  small  paper  for  the  benefit  of  the  infant  classes  of 
our  Sunday  schools.  So  strong  has  the  pressui-e  been,  that  the  Board 
has  been  compelled  to  yield  to  the  demand;  and  at  this  General  As- 
sembly specimen  copies  of  that  paper  can  be  seen.  There  can  be 
no  doubt  as  to  the  success  of  the  enterprise,  for  there  is  a  general 
demand  for  it.  The  name  of  the  paper,  as  will  be  seen,  is  Our  Luiiibs-^ 
certainly  a  very  appropriate  name.  It  is  gotten  up  in  good  style — 
■equal  in  mechanical  execution  and  in  matter  to  the  very  best  papers 
of  the  kind  published.  It  is  to  be  regretted  that,  hitherto,  we  have 
l)een  compelled  to  look  to  other  Churches  for  papers  to  meet  this  want. 
— 1S77,  p.  62. 

(4)  The  (Jviii  Lesson  Leaf. — Pursuant  to  a  recommendation  of  the 
last  General  Assembly,  we  began  the  publication,  during  the  year  of 


444  I' A  NT  //..   .IGENCIES  OF  THE  ASSEMBLY. 

1879,  of  the  (Utii    Ijssun    Ijnf,  for  which  there  was  a  marked   demand 
in  the  schools.     It  has  now  9,600  siibscrihers.— 1880,  p.  83. 

(5)  Cniii incuts. — This  publication  was  started  in  the  latter  part  of 
1879. 

((>)  Ud.us  of  L'kjUI. — In  188o  the  publication  of  this  lower  grade  quar- 
terly was  begun. 

(7)  Bible  Sliidij. — During  the  year  the  Board  have  been  induced  to 
begin  a  new  monthly  publication,  called  li'iblc  Sliidii.  for  the  special 
use  of  Sunday  school  officers,  teachers  and  advanced  scholars. — ISSs, 
p.   105. 

(8)  lloiiic  Ih'jxirtiiniit  <,>u<i rtirl ii. — This  Quarterly  was  establisu..-a  in 
January,   1899. 

(9)  Junior  QiKirtcrli/. — The  first  number  of  the  Jniiinr  <Jii(irtirlii  was 
issued  in  January,  1899. 

(10)  The  E.KiiiiiiKit'Kiii  (jiKniciiji. — The  object  of  this  quarterly  is  to 
assist  superintendents  in  conducting  quarterly  written  examinations. 
It  was  begun  in  1S9S. 

{(■)    Hooks   I'lililisliai. 

It  is  not  possible  to  secure  a  complete  list  of  all  the  books  which 
the  Board  has  published.  The  following  incomplete  list  of  the  books 
and  pamphlets  printed  by  the  Board  has  been  made  from  the  "Dbt 
scriptive  Price  List"  of  the  House,  and  from  other  sources: 

Am  I  Saved?  Why  Not?  by  Rev.  W.  S.  Danley,  D.D. ;  Anniversary 
Sermon,  by  Rev.  E.  B.  Crisman,  D.D. ;  Anxious  Seat,  The,  or,  A  Plea 
for  Altar  Exercises,  by  Rev.  W.  T.  Dale;  Atonement,  The,  by  Rev. 
J.  M.  Hubbert,  D.D.;  Atonement,  The,  by  Rev.  Alonzo  Pearson; 
Atonement  Discussions  in  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,  His- 
tory of,  by  Rev.  Alonzo  Pearson;  Atonement,  A  Medium  Theor>',  by 
Rev.  G.  H.  Sheldrake;  Atonement  and  Law  Reviewed,  by  Rev.  S.  G. 
Burney,  D.D.,  LL.D.;  Aunt  Peggy,  a  Memoir  of  Mrs.  M.  D.  Ewing,  wife 
of  the  late  Rev.  Finis  Ewing,  by  one  of  her  sons;  Bible,  The,  Its  In- 
spiration and  Its  Critics,  by  Rev.  F.  R.  Earle,  D.D. ;  Bible  Songs, 
(Church  Hymnal);  Biographical  Sketches,  Second  Series,  by  Rev. 
Richard  Beard,  D.D.;  Blind  Man's  Cottage,  The,  by  Rev.  J.  C.  Pro- 
vine,  D.D.;  Call  to  the  Ministry,  by  Prof.  R.  V.  Foster,  D.D.;  Carrie 
Holmes,  by  Rev.  J.  B.  Logan;  Casket,  The,  Selections  from  the 
>^u}i<1(ii/  School  •deiii ;  Catechism  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church; 
Chapman,  The  Life  of  Rev.  Alex.,  by  Rev.  Milton  Bird,  D.D.;  Child's 
Catechism;  Child's  Scripture  Questions,  No.  1;  Child's  Scripture  Ques- 
tions, No.  2;  Causes,  The,  Leading  to  the  Organization  of  the  Cum- 
berland  Presbyterian  Church,  by  Rev.  J.  V.   Stephens;    Cause;  of  Un- 


THE  BOARD  OF  PCBLICATIOX.  445 

belief,  or,  Why  Some  Men  Do  not  Believe  the  Bible,  by  Rev.  T.  A. 
CoAvan,  Ph.D.;  Change  of  the  Sabbath  from  the  Seventh  to  the  First 
Day  of  the  Week,  by  Rev.  M.  M.  Smith:  Character,  the  True  End  of 
Education,  by  Rev.  D.  M.  Han-is,  D.D. ;  Charles  Darw^in,  by  Prof.  J.  1. 
D.  Hinds,  Ph.D.;  Chart  of  Duty,  The,  by  Rev.  S.  G.  Burney,  D.D., 
LL.D. ;  Children's  Hosannas  (Songs),  by  Rev.  W.  T.  Dale,  Children's 
Hosannas,  No.  2  (Songs),  by  Rev.  W.  T.  Dale;  Chips  for  Sunday  School 
Workers,  by  T.  M.  Hurst;  Choice  Songs,  No.  1,  by  Rev.  D.  E.  Dortch; 
Chui-ch  at  Work  in  the  Sunday  School,  The,  by  Pres.  A.  R.  Taylor, 
Ph.D.;  Church  in  the  Wilderness,  The,  by  Rev.  P.  Axtell;  Church  of 
God,  The,  by  Rev.  W.  J.  Faust;  Confession  of  Faith  and  Government 
of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church;  Commentary  on  Romans,  by 
Prof.  R.  V.  Foster,  D.D. ;  Conquering  Gospel,  The,  Redemptive,  Cor- 
rective, and,  or,  Christianity  the  Ultimate  Religion,  by  Rev.  M.  B.  De- 
Witt,  D.D.;  Conversion  of  Children,  The,  by  Rev.  F.  J.  Tyler;  Creed 
and  Constitution  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church;  Dance  and 
Dancing  School,  by  Rev.  C.  A.  Davis,  D.D.;  Dealing  with  Souls,  by 
Evangelists  R.  G.  Pearson  and  F.  P.  Flaniken;  Devotional  Anthems, 
by  Prof.  J.  M.  Blose;  Doctrines  and  Genius  of  the  Cumberland  Pres- 
byterian Church,  by  Rev.  A.  B.  Miller,  D.D.,  LL.D.;  Echoes  from 
Caruthei'S  Hall,  ami  The  Old  Guard,  by  Chancellor  N.  Green,  LL.D., 
and  members  of  the  Faculty  of  Cumberland  University;  Doctrine  of 
Baptism,  The,  As  Taught  in  the  Holy  Scriptures,  by  Rev.  .J.  B.  Logan, 
D.D.;  Economic  Questions  of  the  Day,  by  Prof.  Edmund  W.  Bemis, 
Ph.D.;  Educated  Ministry,  A  Plea  for,  by  Rev.  D.  M.  Harris,  D.D.; 
Ewing,  Life  of  Finis,  by  Rev.  F.  R.  Cossitt,  D.D. ;  Swing's  Lectures, 
bj'  Rev.  Finis  Ewing;  From  Dusk  to  Dusk  (Poems),  by  Cale  Young 
Rice;  Gospel  Melodies  (Songs),  by  Rev.  W.  T.  Dale,  D.  E.  Dortch,  and 
C.  E.  Pollock;  Gospel  Showers  (Songs),  by  Rev.  W.  T.  Dale;  Great 
Teacher,  The,  by  Rev.  A.  Templeton,  D.D. ;  God  Our  Father,  by  Pres. 
W.  H.  Black,  D.D.;  Hand  Book,  The  Cumberland  Presbyterian;  His- 
torical Memoirs,  Containing  a  Brief  History  of  the  Cumberland  Pres- 
byterian Church  in  Missouri,  by  Judge  R.  C.  Ewing;  History  of  the 
Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,  by  Rev.  B.  W.  McDonnold,  D.D., 
LL.D.;  History  of  Infant  Baptism,  by  Rev.  M.  M.  Smith;  How  to  Be  a 
Faithful  Elder,  by  seven  prominent  ruling  elders;  How  to  Use  the 
Scriptures,  by  Evangelist  R.  G.  Pearson,  D.D. ;  Ideal  Preacher,  The,  or. 
The  Preacher  for  the  Times,  by  Rev.  B.  G.  Mitchell,  A.M.;  Ideal  Record 
for  Church  Treasurers,  arranged  by  B.  G.  Alexander;  Infant  Baptism  in 
a  Nutshell,  a  Scriptural  Argument,  by  Rev.  E.  B.  Crisman,  D.D. ;  In- 
fant Church  Membership,  by  Rev.  J.  V.  Stephens;  Is  Christian  Bap- 
tism for  the  Remission  of  Sins?  by  Rev.  .L  E.  Sharp;  Japan  and  Its 
Rescue,  by  Rev.  A.  D.  Hail,  D.D. ;  Jewels,  Selections  from  the  SinitUni 
Hchtinl  ilriii :  Law  of  the  Tithe,  The,  by  Rev.  E.  E.  Morris;  Lectures 
on  the  Covenants,  by  Rev.  John  M.  Berry;  Lectures  on  Theology  (3 
vols.),  by  Rev.  Richard  Beard.  D.D.;    Mahlon's  Letters,  by  Rev.  A.  J. 


446  PART  /■/.,  AGENCIES  OE  THE  ASSEMBIA'. 

Baird,  D.D. ;  Medium  Theology,  by  Rev.  Reuben  Burrow,  D.D.;  Mind,, 
A,  to  Work,  by  Rev.  James  E.  Clarke;  Ministerial  Equipment,  by  Rev. 
A.  G.  Bergen;  Ministry  of  Wealth,  The,  Tithe  Teaching,  by  Rev.  C. 
H.  Bell,  D.D.;  Mitisions,  by  Rev.  W.  T.  Ferguson,  D.D.;  Missions,  by 
Rev.  J.  M.  Hubbert,  D.D.;  Morning  Dawn  of  Missions,  by  Rev. -J.  V. 
Stephens;  Moral  Science,  Studies  in,  by  Rev.  S.  G.  Burney,  D.D.,  LL.D.; 
Mrs.  Nannie  Preston,  or.  The  Truth  Sought  and  Found,  by  Rev. 
Timothy  Shires;  Naomi,  by  Winona  Boydstun;  Ned  and  Sydney,  by 
Miss  Mary  C.  Miller;  Nineteen  Questions  Answered,  by  Rev.  A.  Tem- 
pleton,  D.D.;  Old  Log  House,  The,  by  Rev.  T.  C.  Blake,  D.D.;  Old  Tes- 
tament Studies,  by  Prof.  R.  V.  Foster,  D.D.;  Ordinances,  The,  by  Rev. 
W.  H.  Berry;  Origin  and  Doctrine  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian 
Church,  by  Rev.  E.  B.  Crisman,  D.D. ;  Our  Doctrines,  by  Prof.  R.  V. 
Foster,  D.D. ;  Our  Position,  or,  Cumberland  Presbyterians  in  Relation 
to  the  Presbyterian  family,  by  Rev.  W.  J.  Darby,  D.tJ.;  Perseverance 
of  the  Saints,  The  Final,  by  Rev.  Robert  Donnell;  Points  of.  Differ- 
ence between  the  Presbyterian  Church  and  the  Cumberland  Presbyte- 
rian Church,  by  Rev.  T.  A.  Cowan,  Ph.D.;  I'opular  Treatise  on  Election, 
by  Rev.  S.  G.  Burney,  D.D.,  LL.D.;  Persian  Women,  by  Rev.  Isaac 
Malek  Yonan;  Preacher's  Complete  Register,  prepared  by  Rev.  .J.  M. 
Hubbert,  D.D.;  Preacher's  Hand  Book,  by  Rev.  T.  C.  Blake,  D.D.; 
Preacher  s  Manual,  by.  Rev.  A.  J.  Baird,  D.D.;  Presbyterian  Polity,  by 
Rev.  P.  G.  Rea;  Preservation  of  Believers,  by  Rev.  B.  F.  Whittemore; 
Psychology,  Studies  in,  by  Rev.  S.  G.  Burney,  D.D.,  LL.D.;  Pulpit  and 
Pew,  or.  Preacher  and  People,  by  Rev.  T.  C.  Blake,  D.D.;  Reasons  for 
Joiiting  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,  A  Symposium;  Repro- 
bation, the  Doctrine  of,  by  Rev.  F.  A.  Ross,  D.D.;  Sabbath,  The  Amer- 
ican, by  Rev.  H.  D.  Onyett,  D.D.;  SanctiHcation,  by  Prof.  R.  V.  Foster, 
D.D. ;  Sanctification,  or,  Is  the  Holiness  Theory  Correct?  by  Rev. 
James  F.  Price;  Sedister,  or.  The  Return  of  the  Wandering  Fairy,  by 
Mrs.  Mark  Morrison;  Seeking  and  Finding,  by  Evangelist  R.  G.  Pearson, 
D.D.;  Semi-Centennial  of  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Cumberland 
Presbyterian  Church;  Sermon  Making,  or,  Hoav  I  Prepare  My  Sermonb, 
A  Symposium;  Service  in  Song,  by  Rev.  A.  C.  Biddle;  Session  Minutes 
and  Register;  Social  Harp  (Songs);  Solwaj-  Family,  The,  or,  How  We 
Can  Conquer,  by  Mrs.  E.  L.  Motheral;  Sparks  From  a  Backlog,  by 
Chancellor  N.  Green,  LL.D.;  Spiritual  Songs  (Church  Hymnal);  Study 
of  the  Original  Languages  of  the  Bible,  The,  by  Prof.  R.  V.  Foster, 
D.D.;  Sunday  School  of  To-Day,  The,  A  Symposium:  Sunday  School 
Record  for  Secretaries,  arranged  by  B.  G.  Alexander;  Sunday  School 
Teacher's  Class  Book,  arranged  by  B.  G.  Alexander;  Susie's  Spectacles, 
by  Mrs.  C.  M.  Harris;  Systematic  Theology,  by  Prof.  R.  V.  Foster. 
D.D.;  Tall  Man  of  Winton,  The,  by  Chancellor  N.  Green,  LL.D.;  The- 
ology Condensed,  by  Rev.  T.  C.  Blake,  D.D. ;  Tithing,  A  Layman's  Ex- 
perience, by  Joseph  W.  Allen;  Truth  Applied,  by  Evangelist  R.  G. 
Pearson,  D.D. ;  Thoughts  on  various  Subjects,  by  FlBV.  Robert  DonnelU 


THE  JiOARD  OF  PUnLlCATION.  447 

Theater,  The,  Shall  We  All  Go?  by  Rev.  J.  M.  Hubbert,  D.D.;  Twenty- 
seven  Books  of  the  New  Testament,  by  Prof.  R.  V.  Foster,  D.D.;  Two- 
fold Necessity  for  Christian  Missions,  by  Rev.  Taylor  Bernard;  Two 
Prophets,  The,  Daniel  and  Jonah,  by  Rev,  A.  J.  Baird,  D.D.;  Use  of 
Alcoholic  Liquors  and  Its  Consequences, by  Judge  W.H.  Humphreys;  Use 
of  Tobacco,  by  Prof.  J.  I.  D.  Hinds,  Ph.D.;  Why  Am  1  a  Cumberland 
Presbyterian?  by  Rev.  Richard  Beard,  D.D.;  Why?  When?  What?  by 
Rev.  J.  M.  Howard,  D.D. ;  Woman's  Position  in  the  Church,  by  Hon. 
John  Frizzell;  Woman  Question,  The,  in  the  Light  of  Humane  Chris- 
tology,  by  John  S.  Pearson,  M.D. ;  Women  as  Preachers  and  Elders, 
Shall  They  Exercise  These  Functions?  by  Ruling  Elder  H.  H.  Buquo, 
and  Rev.  B.  G.  Mitchell,  A.M.;  World,  The,  and  How  to  Take  It,  by 
Rev.  A.  J.  Baird,  D.D. ;  Digest,  The  Cumberland  Presbyterian,  by  Rev. 
J.  V.  Stephens. 

(.(/)    (JiKiiicrlii  h'rriitrx. 

(1)  TJif  Th(i)J(Kjic(il  Mcdiiiiii. — The  ThvoJaiiivdl  M  •diuin  was  purchased 
by  the  Board  from  Dr.  T.  C.  Blake.— 1873,  p.  69. 

The  Medium  had  1,180  subscribers.  It  has  now  only  about  525  sub- 
scribers. It  has  not  done  as  well  as  we  hoped  it  would,  and  it  remains 
for  the  Assembly  to  advise  for  its  future  conduct  and  patronage. — 1873, 
p.  69. 

The  Mediitiii  is  good  in  its  matter,  and  it  is  the  cheapest  work  of  the 
kind  published  in  the  country;  nor  is  it  intended  for  the  ministry  only, 
but  also  for  intelligent  and  thoughtfvil  laymen.  It  ought  to  have  two 
thousand  subscribers.  We  recommend  that  this  subject  be  earnestly 
urged  by  the  Assembly  upon  the  Church.  If  one  of  the  very  best 
exponents  of  our  literature  and  theology  continues  to  be  so  greatly 
neglected,  we  shall  regard  it  as  ominous.     Adopted,  1873,  p.  25. 

The  Thculoj/ical  Medium,  we  regret  to  say,  has  not  received  the  pat- 
ronage it  deserves.  Its  list  is  smaller  than  last  year,  and  is  not  now 
self-sustaining. — 1874,  p.  82. 

It  affords  us  pleasure  to  announce  that  the  quarterly  has  now  a 
much  larger  list  of  subscribers  than  it  had  when  we  submitted  our  last 
Annual  Report. — 1875,  p.   63. 

From  some  cause,  the  Board  scarcely  knows  what,  this  publication 
has  not  been  well  patronized  for  several  years,  and  its  list  is  now 
smaller  than  it  has  ever  been.  The  work  is,  therefore,  published  at 
a  pecuniary  loss.  The  Board  has  several  times  called  attention  to  this 
fact,  and  the  advice  of  the  General  Assembly  has  been  to  continue  its 
publication.  The  advice  of  the  Genei'al  Assembly  is  again  asked  for. 
—1878,  p.  43. 

The  Board  asks  the  advice  of  the  General  Assembly  in  regard  to 
continuing  the  publication  of  the  Tlifolonictl  Medium.  It  is  the  opinion 
of  your  Committee  that  its  publication  should  bo  continued,  and  that 
increased  effort  be  made  to  enlarge  its  patronage. — 1878,  p.   28. 


448  PART  /'/.,  AGEXCIES  OF  THE  ASSEMBLY. 

This  periodical  now  has  about  300  subscribers.  An  earnest  effort 
has  been  made  during  the  year  to  procure  for  it  1,800  subscribers,  at 
one  dollar  per  year,  but  only  about  six  hundred  were  obtained.  The 
continuance  of  its  publication  will  be  at  a  pecuniary  loss  to  the  Board, 
but  of  course  we  will  obey  any  instruction  which  the  General  Assembly 
may  give  in  regard  to  it. — 1879,  p.  68. 

We  recommend  that  you  accept  the  accompanying  proposition  from 
the  Agent  and  Theological  Faculty  of  Cumberland  University;  you  will 
iliereby  save  at  least  the  expense  of  editing,  which  is  $250.  Adopted. 
—1870,  p.  32. 

Pursuant  to  the  directions  of  the  last  General  Assembly,  this  period- 
ical lias  been  transferred  to  the  Theological  Faculty  of  Cumberland 
University,  by  whom  it  is  being  edited  and  published.  The  printing  is 
still  done  at  the  Board's  printing  office  at  a  price  which  yields  to  the 
Board  a  fair  profit  over  actual  cost. — 188U,  p.  S3. 

From  the  Theological  Faculty  the  magazine  passed  into  the  hands 
of  Rev.  W.  C.  Logan,  who  was  its  proprietor  when  its  publication  was 
disconlinued. 

(2)  77/f  (Jiiiirtcilji  h'ciicir. — According  to  the  oft-expressed  wish  of  the 
Church  the  Board  determined  to  begin  the  publication  of  a  quarterly 
m:ga,zine  and  to  conduct  it  on  a  high  grade,  trusting  the  Church  to 
show  its  appreciation  by  extending  it  a  patronage  that  would  at  least 
make  it  self-sustaining.  The  first  issue  appeared  in  January  and  the 
next  in  April,  and  we  feel  assured  than  any  Cumberland  Presbyterian, 
concerned  for  the  literature  of  his  Church,  must  feel  proud  of  a  pub- 
lication that  makes  such  an  auspicious  beginning.  The  subscription 
list  is  at  present  less  than  400,  and  it  must  be  largely  increased  during 
the  year  to  enable  it  to  pay  expenses.  Rev.  Dr.  Howard  is  Editor-in- 
Chief,  and  Drs.  Harris,  DeWitt,  and  Darby  are  Associate  Editors. — 
1889,  p.  120. 

On  the  foregoing  the  Committee  on  Publication  submitted  the  fol- 
lowing, which  was  concurred  in: 

A  (^iKirtciiii  J\'<ri<'ir,  in  the  interest  of  our  beloved  Zion,  has  been  es- 
tablished. Two  numbers  have  been  issued.  Its  grade  is  high.  Our 
Church  should  take  hold  of,  and  patronize  liberally,  this  much  desired 
and  much  needed  magazine. — 1SS9,  p.  2-5. 

The  circulation  of  the  Citnibcrldinl  /'rcsbytcrutn  Rericir  has  not  in- 
creased over  last  year,  and  is  far  from  paying  expenses.  Its  publi- 
cation seemed  to  be  demanded  by  the  Church,  and  we  have  done  with 
it  the  best  we  could.  Certainly  it  is  first  class  in  every  particular,  and 
to  suspend  its  publication  would  be  a  misfortune.  This  we  shall  feel 
constrained  to  do  unless  the  Church  is  more  generous  toward  it.  The 
circulation  will  have  to  be  nearly  doubled  before  it  will  pay  expenses. 
—1890,  p.  S3. 

It    is     with     regret    we     notice     that    the     ('iniihvrl<ni<l     I'nsbi/lcriiin 


THE  JiOARD  OF  PUULICATIOX.  449 

JiCriiir,  so  excelleiii.  and  first  class  in  every  particular,  lias 
met  with  so  meager  a  circulation.  We  recommend  an  earnest 
canvass  by  presbyterial  agents  appointed  by  the  Board  of  Publication 
to  increase  the  circulation  to  a  paying  basis.  Adopted. — 1890,  pp. 
21,  22. 

Encoui-aging  growth  is  noted  in  the  subscription  list  of  this  period- 
ical. Last  year  it  had  less  than  400  subscribers;  the  number  now 
exceeds  525.  Prof.  R.  V.  Foster,  D.D.,  has  been  engaged  as  Editor, 
and  liere  he  will  have  the  widest  field  for  the  exercise  of  his  talents 
and  culture.  The  Iicricir  is  much  appreciated  by  its  readers,  and  it 
has  received  high  commendation  from  leading  periodicals  everywhere, 
hence  we  may  earnestly  urge  that  it  is  wortliy  of  a  wider  circulation 
in  the  Church.  Surely  it  ought  to  find  its  way  into  the  hands  and 
libraries  of  many  more  readers. — ISOi,  p.   94. 

This  periodical  has  only  three  hundred  and  twenty  subscribers,  and 
if  no  more  are  secured  this  year,  it  will  be  published  at  a  loss  of  about 
$400  per  year.  Reasonable  efforts  have  been  made  to  extend  its  cir- 
culation. The  Board,  therefore,  believe  that  this  periodical  should  be 
discontinued,  and  will  do  so  unless  ordered  otherwise  by  the  General 
Assembly.— 1892,  p.  99. 

We  are  grieved  that  the  CiiihIk rhind  I'nshj/tci'mii  Hrr-cir  does  not  re- 
ceive the  hearty  patronage  which  it  deserves  from  the  Church.  We 
have  carefully  considered  the  recommendation  of  the  Board  "that  this 
periodical  be  discontinued,"  and  recommend  tliat  the  Board  shall  be 
authorized  to  use  its  own  discretion  in  the  matter.  Adopted. — 1892,  p. 
29. 

Pursuant  to  the  authority  of  the  General  Assembly,  conferred  at  the 
meeting  in  May  last,  the  Boai'd,  finding  that  the  periodical  could  not 
be  made  self-sustaining,  discontinued  its  publication. — 1893,  p.  88.    • 

(C)     T]l(     I'ltblisliiiifl    lluK.sc. 

That  the  Board  of  Publication  let  the  Publishing  House  Fund,  al- 
ready raised  and  now  invested  in  bonds,  remain  in  these  bonds  and 
bear  interest  for  the  present,  and  by  tlie  use  of  all  agencies  it  can 
set  on  foot,  make  a  great  effort  duri.ig  the  coming  year  to  raise  the 
remainder  of  the  $50,000  for  the  Publishing  House  Fund,  authorized  by 
a  former  Assembly;  and,  also,  additional  funds  to  increase  the  pres- 
ent stock  of  the  Board,  and  keep  an  accurate  account  of  all  donations 
to  either  of  said  Funds,  appropriating  all  donations  according  to  the 
directions  of  the  donors,  and  report  fully  to  the  next  Assembly.  And 
the  Church  is  earnestly  urged  to  contribute  liberally  to  this  Publishing 
House  Fund,  and  also  to  the  fund  for  the  ordinary  purposes  of  the 
Board.     Adopted.— 1872,  p.  24. 

The  general  expression  of  sentiment  as  it  comes  to  our  office  is  that 
the  funds  in  bonds  should  be  actively  employed  to  carry  on  the  busi- 
29 


450  PART  VI.,  AGENCIES  OE  THE  ASSEMTLY. 

ness  of  publication.  Wliettier  this  ahall  be  done,  and  liow,  it  remains 
witli  your  Reverend  Body  to  say. — 1873,  p.  69. 

We  approacli  now  a  subject  of  difficulty  and  delicacy.  A  sum  of 
several  thousand  dollars  has  been  collected  and  invested  in  United 
States  Bonds,  under  the  denomination  of  a  Publishing  House  Fund. 
That  is,  it  w^as  contributed  with  the  understanding  that  it  was  to  be 
kept  as  a  principal  until  fifty  thousand  dollars  might  be  contributed, 
which,  it  was  supposed,  would  be  sufficient  to  purchase  or  build  a  Pub- 
lishing House.  According  to  the  instructions  of  a  previou^i  General 
Assembly,  nothing  was  to  be  used  until  the  lifty  thousand  dollars  were 
made  up.  The  sum  has  not  increased  much  for  two  or  three  years. 
It  seems  that  a  portion  of  this  money  was  donated  without  restric- 
tions. We  recommend  that,  as  much  of  the  money  as  was  given  in  this 
manner,  the  Board  be  allowed  to  withdraw  from  its  inactive  state  and 
use  for  the  purposes  of  publication  only;  and  that  they  be  authorized 
to  use  the  balance  for  similar  purposes,  with  the  understanding  that 
the  principal  wil.i  interest  is  to  be  appropriated  to  the  purpose  orig- 
inally contempk-^ed,  v.lienever  a  sum  shall  be  raised  sufucient  to  build 
or  to  buy  a  Publishing  House.  This  v,'ill  be  no  violation  of  good  faith. 
The  money  will  be  actively  employed  and  returned  with  interest  at 
a  proper  time.  In  the  meantime  let  every  eilort  be  made  on  the  pai't 
of  the  Board  to  consummate  the  object  of  securing  a  sufficient  build- 
ing for  all  publishing  purposes.  Until  this  is  effected  we  sl.all  always 
be  tenants  dependent  upon  the  will  of  others.  Adopted. — lolo,  pp.  26, 
27. 

Under  the  authority  of  the  last  General  Assembly,  the  Board  has, 
during  the  past  year,  used  in  the  general  work  of  publishing,  $2,482.50 
of  the  Fund  in  United  States  Bonds.  There  yet  remains  of  this  Fund 
in.  bonds,  $4,926.89.  The  whole  fund  is  too  small  to  allow  the  Board 
to  enter  on  works  of  magnitude.  We  have  touched  it  cautiously.  We 
shall,  the  coming  year,  lay  it  out  as  may  be  thought  best  for  the  pres- 
ent interests  of  the  work. — 1874,  p.  S3. 

A  proposition  was  made  to  the  Board,  last  Fall,  to  sell  the  Church 
a  house  in  Nashville,  on  ten  years'  time;  but  the  Board,  consider- 
ing it  had  no  authority  from  the  Assembly  to  purchase,  declined  to 
do  so.— 1875,  p.  60. 

The  Board  submits  to  the  General  Assembly  whether  or  not  the  time 
has  come  when  steps  should  be  taken  looking  to  the  erection  of  a 
building  of  our  own  for  our  publishing  interests.  The  rent  which  we 
pay,  from  year  to  year,  is  an  eating  cancer,  and  it  is  believed  there 
are  hundreds,  if  not  thousands,  of  good  men  and  women  who  would  be 
glad  of  an  opportunity  to  contribute  their  means  in  that  direction. 
Some  who  have  no  children  would,  perhaps,  be  glad  to  give  their  entire 
estate  to  such  a  purpose.  It  might,  therefore,  be  well  for  the  General 
Assembly  to  open  the  door  to  those  who  may  wish  to  give  their  means 
in  that  direction. — 1S78,  p.  45. 


THE  BOARD  OF  PUBLICATION.  451 

In  said  report  your  attention  lias  been  called  to  tiie  propriety  of 
taking  steps  toward  the  erection  of  a  building  of  our  own  for  our 
publishing  interests.  Your  Committee  are  of  the  opinion  that  at  the 
present  time  it  would  not  be  best  for  the  Board  to  incur  any  addi- 
tional liabilities  in  acquiring  real  estate.     Approved. — 1878,  p.  28. 

We  have  also  before  us  a  resolution,  offered  by  Ruling  Elder  T. 
M.  Hurst,  asking  the  Board  to  take  such  steps  as  may  in  its  v/isdom 
seem  best  to  procure  a  fund  with  which  to  build  a  Publisliing  House, 
and  report  their  progress  to  the  next  General  Assembly.  The  Com- 
mittee recommend  for  the  present  that  this  subject  be  presented 
through  the  paper  by  the  Agent  of  the  Board,  and  that  such  dona- 
tions as  may  be  given  by  bequest  or  otherwise  be  set  apart  for  this 
purpose.     Adopted. — 1886,  pp.  29,  30. 

The  General  Assembly  of  1858  [Minutes,  p.  41],  in  reorganizing  the 
Board  of  Publication,  provided  for  establishing  a  general  book  de- 
pository and  store,  and  ultimately,  if  the  prospects  should  justify,  "a 
house  of  publication."  The  General  Assembly  of  18B9  [Minutes,  p.  31], 
resolved  to  raise  §50,000  to  put  the  publishing  work  on  a  firmer  and 
broader  basis.  The  General  Assembly  of  1S70  [Minutes,  p.  19],  recom- 
mended the  appointment  of  an  agent  to  raise  $50,000  for  the  estab- 
lishment of  a  Publishing  House,  and,  pursuant  to  such  recommenda- 
tion, such  an  agent  was  appointed,  and  through  his  efforts  the  sum 
of  $7,107.47  [Minutes,  1872,  p.  55],  was  secured.  By  permission  of  the 
General  Assembly  of  1873  this  money,  with  accrued  interest,  was  used 
for  the  purposes  of  publication,  with  the  understanding  that  a  certain 
portion,  supposed  to  have  been  contributed  expressly  to  build  or  buy  a 
Publishing  House,  should  be  appropriated  with  the  interest,  to  that 
purpose  whenever  a  sufficient  sum  was  secured.  The  Treasurer  of 
the  Board  still  holds  the  Agent's  notes  for  the  same.  In  the  opinion 
of  the  Board  the  time  has  arrived  for  the  consummation  of  this  long- 
cherished  and  deferred  undertaking.  The  Board  conducts  its  work  at 
the  present  in  a  rented  building  28  2-3  feet  wide,  105  feet  deep,  three 
stories  high,  without  any  means  of  lighting  or  ventilation,  except  from 
the  front  and  rear  and  through  sky-lights.  Into  this  building  we  are 
compelled  to  crov/d  about  fifty  employees,  all  our  presses,  and  other 
machinery  and  fixtures,  books,  papers,  business  office,  editors'  offices, 
and  binding  and  mailing  room.  The  warm  air  from  the  engine  and 
boiler  in  the  cellar  rises  through  the  entire  building,  and  the  heat, 
noise,  and  defective  ventilation  render  the  occupancy  of  the  house 
in  the  v/armest  part  of  the  year  almost  intolerable.  The  defective 
lighting  necessitates  a  large  expenditure  for  gas.  Our  heavy  ma- 
chinery, which  should  be  on  the  ground  floor,  but  v/hich  we  ai'e  com- 
pelled to  place  on  the  second  lloor,  shakes  the  walls  of  the  building, 
and  materially  interferes  with  its  successful  operation.  A  more  suita- 
ble building  for  rent  is  not  attainable,  and,  if  it  v.^ere,  it  v/culd  cost 
us  in  th;  neighborhood  of  $1,000  to  move.     We  are  thus  at  the  mercy 


452  PART  VI.,  AGENCIES  OF  THE  ASSEMBLY. 

of  our  laudlord,  though  it  is  due  to  him  that  we  should  state  that 
he  has  uever  taken  advantage  of  our  situation.  Wliat  we  need  is  a 
much  larger  building  on  the  corner  of  a  street  or  alley,  and  thus  sus- 
ceptible of  side  lighting,  constructed  with  special  reference  to  our 
work,  and  where  we  can  provide  facilities  of  a  permanent  natui'e,  A 
more  favorable  time  to  purchase  real  estate  in  Nashville  will  probably 
never  be  presented,  as  there  is  but  little  doubt  that  it  will  from  this 
time  on  largely  enhance  in  value.  Such  a  building  under  the  Consti- 
tution of  Tennessee,  would  be  exempt  from  taxation,  and  by  owning 
it  we  would  save  about  $l,30u  per  annum  in  the  way  of  rents.  We 
think  that  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,  as  a  denomination, 
ought  to  own  at  least  one  building  which  it  can  call  its  own;  and  we 
think  this  Board,  after  its  years  of  wandering,  ought  to  have  a  per- 
manent abiding  place.  With  such  a  house  we  could  largely  increase 
our  business,  and  do  with  considerably  more  economy  the  business 
we  already  have,  and  thus  save  money  to  the  Church.  We  think  we 
could  now  purchase  a  suitable  lot  on  reasonable  terms,  and  on  such 
credit  that  the  Board  could  pay  for  the  same  out  of  the  profits  of  its 
business,  and  in  that  way  the  general  fund  would  pay  bade  to  the 
Publishing  House  Fund  the  amount  of  the  notes  above  referred  to 
in  the  hands  of  the  Treasurer.  We  therefore  ask  the  authority  of  the 
General  Assembly  to  make  the  purchase  of  the  kind  of  lot  referred  to, 
and  to  inaugurate  an  immediate  and  vigorous  effort  to  raise  by  dona- 
tions a  sum  of  money  not  less  than  $30,000  nor  more  than  |.jO,000  for 
the  purpose  of  erecting  a  building  thereon.  V,'e  deem  this  an  enter- 
prise of  such  importance  that  we  cannot  urge  it  too  strongly  upon  your 
attention.— 1888,   pp.   107.   108. 

For  more  than  tl.irty  years  it  has  been  the  purpose  of  the  Cum- 
berland Presbyterian  Church  to  provide  itself  with  a  house  iu  which 
to  carry  on  its  work  of  publication.  Sucli  purpose  was  indicated  in  the 
action  of  the  Assembly  of  1858,  by  which  the  present  Board  was 
created.  It  took  more  definite  shape,  however,  in  1870  when,  by  order 
of  the  Assembly,  a,n  agent  was  appointed  to  raise  $50,000  with  which 
to  erect  such  a  building.  The  wisdom  of  this  purpose  is  attested  by 
the  example  and  experience  of  most  of  the  successful  publishing  es- 
tablishments in  the  United  States,  whether  owned  by  a  religious  de- 
nomination, or  by  individuals.  In  our  report  to  the  General  Assembly 
of  188S  we  recommended  that  the  Board  be  authorized  to  purchase  a 
suitable  lot  to  be  paid  for  out  of  the  profits  of  the  business,  and  to  raise 
by  donations  a  sum  not  less  than  $30,000  nor  more  than  $50,000  for 
the  purpose  of  erecting  a  suitable  building.  In  response  lo  this  recom- 
mendation the  Assembly  s  Committee  reported  as  follows; 

"Finally,  we  recommend  that  you  authorize  the  Board  of  Publication 
to  purchase  a  suitable  lot,  and,  as  is  stipulated  in  their  report,  to  pro- 
ceed, as  soon  and  as  rapidly  as  possible,  to  build  a  Publishing  House 
commensurate  with  the  needs  of  the  Board." 


THE  BOARD  OF  PUBLIC ATION.  45;j 

This  item  in  that  report  was  referred  to  this  General  Assembly. 

The  building  which  we  now  occupy  is  not  at  all  commensurate  with, 
nor  adapted  to,  the  wants  of  the  business.  Its  unfitness  has  been,  from 
the  beginning,  a  difficulty  in  our  way.  Not  being  on  a  street  corner, 
it  can  be  lighted  only  from  the  front  and  rear  and  through  the  roof, 
necessitating  an  expensive  use  of  gas.  Our  printing  machinery,  which 
is  very  heavy,  we  are  compelled  to  put  on  the  second  floor  with  extra 
supports,  when  they  should  not  only  be  on  the  first  floor  but  should 
stand  on  foundations  resting  en  the  earth  itself.  These  ponderous 
presses,  weighing  many  tons,  shake  the  walls  of  the  building  so  that 
we  cannot  run  them  all  at  one  time,  and,  managing  as  best  we 
can,  we  provoke  constant  and  serious  complaint  from  the  occupants  of 
one  of  the  adjoining  houses.  We  have  no  place  for  an  engine  and 
boiler,  except  a  dark  cellar  where  they  are  separated  from  all  the 
other  machinery.  The  boiler  should  be  in  a  separate  fire-proof 
structure  on  the  same  level  with  the  press-room  and  the  engine  should 
be  in  the  presa-room.  The  employment  of  an  engineer  could  thus 
probably  be  avoided,  and  the  heat  and  dust  arising  from  the  boiler 
kept  out  of  the  house. 

"We  should  have  a  fire-proof  vault  in  which  to  keep  our  stereotype 
plates,  manuscript,  etc.  Our  plates  are  now  valued  at  about  3;iO,000. 
We  keep  some  insurance  on  them,  but  it  is  expensive  to  keep  them  in- 
sured for  their  full  ^^cilue. 

The  business  has  outgrown  the  dimensions  of  the  building.  We  have 
been  compelled  to  rent,  for  our  editors,  attic  rooms  in  an  adjoining 
building,  and  connect  them  with  the  printing-offlce  by  a  fli-e-proof  iron 
door  through  the  dividing  wall.  On  three  floors  in  this  building,  29 
by  105  feet,  we  are  crowding  about  50  employees,  and  carrying  on  all 
the  departments  of  our  work.  We  can  put  no  more  presses  in  the 
press-room  and  have  often  during  the  past  year  declined  profitable 
work  because  we  had  not  the  facilities  for  doing  it.  To  And  a  building 
well  located,  which  is  a  consideration  of  the  very  first  importance, 
possessing  the  peculiar  adaptations  above  referred  to,  is  next  to  im- 
possible. If  one,  even  approximately  suitable,  could  be  obtained,  it 
would  be  at  a  rental  of  not  less  than  $2,5U0,  and  we  would  again  out- 
grow this,  as  we  believe  and  hope,  in  ten  or  twelve  years.  The  cost 
of  moving  our  machinery,  adjusting  steam  pipes  for  heating  pur- 
poses, water  and  gas  pipes,  engine,  boiler,  shafting,  and  other  fixtures 
will  cost  a  considerable  simi  of  money.  Our  removal  to  the  present 
building  cost  us  $1,165.31,  and,  as  our  establishment  increase;-,  each 
future  removal  would  cost  us  more.  A  lemoval  from  the  honse  we 
now  occupy  is  a  necessity,  and  each  year's  delay  is  at  the  expense 
of  our  income  and  the  efliciency  of  the  establishment. 

More  than  all  this,  the  Church  should  consider  that  its  pubiishing 
work  from  1847  to  1867  was  a  wanderer  from  city  to  city:  first  at 
Louisville,  then  at  Nashville,  and  then  a:  Pittsburg,  and  that   it  made 


454  PART  VL,  AGENCIES  OE  THE  ASSEMBLY. 

no  progress  till  it  was  settled  permanently  at  Nashville.  It  has  been, 
since  1867,  moving  from  place  to  place  in  Nashville,  competing  with 
well-equipped  establishments,  but  crippled  by  its  own  inadequate  fa- 
cilities. The  necessity  for  such  a  condition  of  things  has  now  passed. 
The  Church  is  able  and  owes  it  to  itself  and  to  the  cause  of  Chris- 
tianity to  place  its  publishing  work  in  a  building  more  fitly  expressing 
the  Church's  self-respect  and  its  interest  in  the  sacred  cause  for  which 
it  is  laboring  through  its  publishing  department  as  well  as  all  its  other 
departments  of  the  work. 

Since  1883  we  have  paid  out  for  rents  in  our  present  quarters  the 
sum  of  $8,350.  Were  we  to  continue  paying  the  present  rental  ($1,450) 
for  the  next  ten  years,  we  v/ould  pay  out  for  rent  the  sum  of  $14,500. 

Should  we  remove  to  a  house  costing  $2,500  per  year  we  would  pay 
out  in  ten  years  the  sum  of  $25,000,  or,  counting  interest,  the  sum  of 
$32,500.  In  a  new  building  we  could  rent  certain  apartments  to  the 
great  advantage  of  our  job  work,  and  at  the  same  time  realize  annu- 
ally from  the  rents  about  $1,000.  Under  the  Constitution  and  Laws 
of  Tennessee  the  property  of  all  religious  institutions  is  exempt  from 
taxation  to  the  amount  of  $50,000,  except  those  portions  which  are 
rented  out  and  yield  an  income. 

On  the  other  hand,  the  insurance  on  the  building  would  cost  say 
$300  per  year,  but  this  would  be  partly  balanced  by  the  diminished  in- 
surance on  stock,  machinery,  etc. 

Counting  the  rent  saved  at  $2,500  per  year,  and  the  rents  received 
at  $1,000,  we  would  gain  $3,500  per  annum  by  owning  our  own  build- 
ing. This  takes  no  account  of  the  other  probable  savings  above  re- 
ferred to,  nor  of  the  large  increase  of  business  naturally  loUowing  en- 
larged facilities  and  a  business  house  commanding  public  atten- 
tion. 

The  profits  of  the  business  fcr  the  past  three  years  have  been  as 
follows: 

For  the  year  ending  April  30,  1887 $  8,189  00 

For  the  year  ending  April  30,   1888 8,272  35 

For  the  year  ending  April   30.  1889 5,603  12 

Total $22,064  47 

or  an  average  of  $7,354.82  per  year. 

The  Board  will  be  greatly  disappointed  if  the  profits  of  the  next 
fiscal  year  shall  fall  below  $10,000.  But  it  must  be  borne  in  mind  that 
with  present  facilities,  the  more  our  Church  work  increases  the  less 
job  work  we  are  able  to  do,  thereby  diminishing  our  revenue  from  a 
source  that  has  been  especially  profitable.  This  fact  has  already  af- 
fected the  profits  for  this  year.  Allowing  even  liberal  margin  for 
errors  in  judgment,  it  seems  clear  that  were  we  provided  with  such 
a  building  as  is  in  contemplation,  we  could  continue  to  enlarge  our 
business  and  carry  it  on  successfully,  and  at  the  same  time  appropriate 


THE  HOARD  OF  PUBLICATION.  455 

•each  year  at  least  $5,000  toward  paying  for  a  house  and  lot.  The 
Board  has  available  real  estate,  donated  to  it,  on  which  it  can  realize 
at  least  $10,000  and  probably  much  more.  The  following  plan,  there- 
fore, seems  to  us  entirely  feasible:  Let  us  convert  the  real  estate 
into  money.  Let  us  issue  bonds  not  exceeding  in  amount  $50,000,  at 
a  rate  not  exceeding  6  per  cent,  and  at  a  lower  rate  if  practicable. 
Let  these  bonds  have,  say,  ten  years  to  run,  but  at  least  §5,000  of 
them  due  and  payable  each  year.  Let  the  proceeds  of  the  land  be  used 
in  paying  for  the  lot,  and  let  the  bonds  be  secured  by  a  mortgage 
on  the  lot  and  the  building  to  be  erected  thereon.  The  savings  in 
rent  above  estimated  would  about  pay  the  interest  on  the  bonds, 
and  we  are  confident  $5,000  could  be  spared  each  year  from  the 
profits  of  the  business  to  redeem  that  amount  of  the  bonas. 

If  we  depend  on  renting  a  house,  what  will  be  the  situation  at 
the  end  of  ten  years?  We  v/ill  have  crippled  our  work  and  di- 
minished our  profits  by  poor  facilities,  and  will  have  paid  out  $25,000 
or  $30,000,  for  which  the  Church  will  have  nothing.  On  the  other  hand, 
if  the  scheme  above  suggested  is  successfully  carried  out,  at  the  end 
of  ten  years  the  Church  will  have  a  building  and  equipments  which 
will  command  its  own  self-respect  and  the  respect  of  other  people; 
which  will  enable  it  for  many  years  to  come  to  carry  on  its  work 
at  great  advantage  and  make  a  large  profit  to  be  used  in  any  way 
the  General  Assembly  may  direct.  The  experience  of  other  denomi- 
nations has  proven  that  this  can  be  done. 

To  carry  out  this  scheme,  the  Board  would  call  on  the  Church  for 
nothing  but  patronage.  Patronage  would  not  only  furnish  the  neces- 
sary money,  but  would  accomplish  the  direct  purpose  for  which  the 
Board  was  created,  viz.:  the  dissemination  of  the  Church's  publica- 
tions among  its  people. 

The  scheme,  in  the  opinion  of  the  Board,  is  a  safe  one.  If  the  in- 
stitution were  their  individual  property  they  would  not  deem  it  other 
than  an  entirely  prudent  financial  undertaking.  They,  therefore, 
recommend  to  your  Reverend  Body  that  you  authorize  the  Board  to 
take  the  steps  above  indicated. — 1880,   pp.   122-125. 

The  General  Assembly  at  its  last  meeting  [Minutes  1889,  p.  26]  spoke 
as   follows: 

"As  to  the  matter  of  a  Publishing  House  the  Committee  are  of  the 
opinion  that  prudence  suggests  that  the  Board  should  not  now  incur 
any  very  heavy  liabilities  in  the  furtherance  of  that  enterprise,  and 
the  Committee,  therefore,  recommend  that  during  the  current  year 
the  Board  go  no  further  than  to  purchase  a  lot,  if  a  suitable  one  can  be 
obtained  at  a  reasonable  price,  utilizing  in  paying  for  the  same  a  por- 
tion of  the  profits  of  the  business,  and,  also,  if  necessary,  and  deemed 
advisable,  use  by  way  of  sale  any  real  estate  owned  by  the  Board.  In 
this  connection  we  recommend  that  the  Communication  from  Evans- 
ville  be  referred   to   the   Board   of  Publication   at   Nashville,   with   in- 


456  PART  VI.,  AGENCIES  OF  THE  ASSEMBIY. 

structions    to    consider    it    in    connection    with    ell    similar    positions 
from  other  cities." 

The  General  Assembly  at  that  meeting  [Minutes  lbS9.  p.  51]  also 
adopted   the   following: 

"U7/crrf/.s-,  Provision  has  been  maile  by  the  General  Assembly  for  the 
Board  to  receive  propositions  for  the  location  of  the  Publishing  House; 
and 

'•Whvyndi,  The  representatives  of  the  Board  present  desire  to  have 
others  associated  with  them  to  share  this  responsibility;    therefore, 

l,'(s<,lr<(l  That  Messrs.  J.  B.  Mitchell,  of  Missouri,  W.  S.  Danley.  of 
Illinois,  James  B«st,  of  Ohio,  B.  D.  Cockrill,  of  Kentucky,  J.  L.  Cooper, 
of  Mississippi,  J.  Reed  Morris,  of  Pennsylvania,  and  Charles  Manton, 
of  Texas,  be  appointed  a  Committee  to  advise  with  the  Board  of  Pub- 
lication, in  considering  such  propositions  as  may  come  before  it,  it 
being  understood  that  for  economy  the  two  last  named  be  correspond- 
ing members  of  the  Committee." 

In  JLme,  1S89,  the  Board  caused  notice  to  be  given  through  the 
CuiiihrrldiKJ  I'lrsbntcrhiii  that  propositions  would  be  received  till  July 
9,  1889,  from  any  cities  that  desired  to  secure  the  location  of  the  Pub- 
lishing House.  Similar  notice  was  sent  by  mail  to  Kansas  City  and 
St.  Louis,  Mo.,  Fort  Worth,  Texas,  Evansville,  Ind.,  and  Pittsburg, 
Pa.  Upon  the  request  of  Rev.  J.  W.  McKay,  of  Pittsburg,  Pa.,  the 
time  was  extended  until  October,  1889.  Propositions  were  received 
from  Evansville,  Ind.,  and  Lincoln,  111.,  and  a  communication  point- 
ing out  certain  advantages  possessed  by  Louisville,  Ky.,  wa  salso  re- 
ceived from  that  city.  These  propositions  and  this  communication 
were  referred  to  the  Advisory  Committee  which,  after  visiting  Evans- 
ville, met  in  Nashville,  Tenn.,  November  19,  1889.  All  the  members 
were  present  except  Rev.  B.  D.  Cockrill  who,  for  important  reasons, 
could  not  attend.  Able  representatives  from  Evansville  and  Lincoln 
and  Nashville  were  present,  and  presented  evidence  and  arguments  in 
behalf  of  the  respective  places.  After  the  close  of  the  argument  the 
Advisory  Committee  met  in  private  session,  no  one  bein;\  present  ex- 
cept its  own  members,  and,  after  very  deliberate  consi.  sration,  pre- 
sented to  the  Board  the  following  report: 

"The  undersigned  Committee,  appointed  by  the  last  General  Assem- 
bly to  advise  with  you  in  considering  such  propositions  for  the  loca- 
tion of  the  Publishing  House  of  the  Church  as  might  be  brought  before 
yoti,  having  careftilly  examined  all  the  papers  relative  thereto  laid 
by  you  before  us,  and  having  fuily  heard  all  the  parties  to  such  propo- 
sitions, do  hereby  unanimously  recommend  that  you  locate  said  Pub- 
lishing House  in  the  city  of  Nashville,  Tenn.  Ten  thousand  dollars 
has  been  gtiaranteed  here.     Respectfully  submitted. 

"J.     B.     MlTCIIKLL,  J.     L.     COOPEU, 

W.  S.  Da.xlev,  Ckaiu.es  Mantox, 

Ja-me-s  Best,  J.   Reed  Mokkis." 

Nashville,  Tenn..   November  20,   1S89. 


THE  BOARD  OF  PCBIJCATIOX.  457 

After  this  action  of  the  Advisory  Commiitee  the  Board  purchased  at 
public  auction  a  lot  on  Cherry  Street,  in  Nashville,  Tenn.,  about  three 
hundred  feet  south  of  Church  Street,  fronting  about  ninety-nine  feet 
and  running  back  one  hundred  and  seventy-five  feet  to  an  alley.  This 
lot  in  its  location  and  topography  is  universally  pronounced  a  most 
desirable  one,  and  was  purchased  at  the  price  of  $15,600.  A  plan  for 
a  building  thereon  iS  almost  completed.  The  building  as  planned  is 
most  admirably  adapted  to  the  work,  is  of  the  most  substantial  char- 
acter, and  in  architectural  style  will  be  a  credit  to  the  Church.  The 
importance  of  having  this  building  so  far  completed  that  we  can  move 
into  it  by  January  1,  1891,  cannot  be  well  overestimated.  To  provide 
money  with  which  to  erect  the  building  the  Board  respectfully  asks 
that  your  Reverend  Body  take  such  action  as  will  authorize  the  Board 
to  issue  mortgage  bonds  to  an  amount  not  exceeding  $50,000,  and 
bearing  interest  at  a  rate  not  exceeding  six  per  cent,  and  to  secure 
the  payment  of  the  principal  and  interest  by  a  mortgage  on  its  prop- 
erty. The  stipulations  of  the  bonds  and  provisions  of  the  mortgage, 
other  than  as  above  stated,  being  matters  of  detail,  could  properly 
be  left  to  be  determined  by  the  Board  as  the  requirements  or  pref- 
erences of  money  lenders  or  other  circumstances  might  sug- 
gest 

The  Board  feels  perfectly  confident  of  being  able  to  meet  every  year 
the  interest  on  these  bonds,  and,  after  the  first  or  second  year,  a  due 
proportion  of  the  principal.  Even  at  six  per  cent  (and  the  Board  would 
hope  to  borrov/  at  a  lower  rate),  the  interest  on  $50,000  would  be 
$3,000.  The  Board  now  pays  $1,500  per  annum  rent,  and  the  new 
building  will  contain  a  store-room  and  about  a  dozen  office  rooms 
which,  for  some  years  to  come,  will  not  be  demanded  for  the  work  of 
the  Board.  From  these  surplus  rooms  a  rental  can  be  realized  of  al 
least  $1,500.  Thus  the  rent  saved  and  the  rents  collected  would  alone 
pay  the  interest  on  the  bonds.  Should  the  bonds  have  twenty  years 
to  run,  the  average  annual  sum  of  $2,500  drawn  from  the  profits  of  the 
business  would  redeem  them  all  within  that  period.  The  present  pros- 
pects of  the  Boai-d  indicate,  however,  that  they  could  all  be  redeemed 
in  a  much  shorter  time  without  financially  cramping  the  Board  in 
the  continuous   expansion  of  its   work. — 1S90,  pp.   80-82. 

During  the  year  the  question  of  the  location  of  the  Publishing 
House  has  been  settled,  Nashville  chosen  as  the  place,  and  a  lot  pur- 
chased at  the  cost  of  $15,600,  in  an  eligible  location  on  Cherry  Street. 
Ten  thousand  dollars  of  the  purchase  money  will  be  paid  by  citizens 
of  Nashville;  and  the  Board  assures  us  that  one-third  of  the  lot  (which 
will  not  be  needed)  has  on  it  a  good  house,  bringing  a  sufficient  rental 
to  pay  taxes,  insurance,  and  interest,  which  may  be  sold  at  any  time 
for  five  or  six  thousand  dollars.  The  purchase  of  the  lot,  therefore, 
creates  no  debt  at  all.     The   Board   now  ask   to   be   allowed   to   issue 


458  PART  I'/.,  AGENCIES  OF  THE  ASSEIUIILY. 

mortgage  bonds  to  an  amouut  uot  to  exceed  $50,000,  to  erect  a  Publibii- 
ing  House  on  this  lot. 

Your  Committee  recommend  that  you  grant  this  request,  and  that 
the  stipulations  of  the  bonds  and  the  provisions  of  the  mortgage  or 
mortgages  be  left  to  the  discretion  of  the  Board.  Adopted. — 1890,  p. 
21. 

As  soon  as  practicable  after  the  last  meeting  of  the  General  As- 
sembly the  Board,  upon  revised  plans  and  carefully  prepared  specifica- 
tions, let  the  contracts  for  the  foundation  of  the  new  Publishing 
House  and  for  most  of  the  work  on  the  superstructure.  According  to 
the  contracts  the  mechanical  department  was  to  have  been  completed 
by  January  1,  1S91,  and  the  remainder  of  tL3  building  by  May  1,  1891. 
For  various  reasons,  however,  the  contracts,  as  to  time,  have  not  been 
complied  with.  The  Board  was  therefore  compelled  to  rent  its  present 
quarters  for  the  year  1891.  Arrangements  have  been  made,  how- 
ever, by  which  a  new  tenant,  acceptable  to  the  landlord,  will  take  the 
lease  the  very  day  the  Board  is  able  to  vacate. 

Pursuant  to  the  authority  granted  by  the  General  Assembly  at  its 
last  meeting,  the  Board  issued  $50,000  of  mortgage  bonds  to  provide 
the  money  with  which  to  pay  for  the  new  building.  They  are  all 
dated  October  1,  1890;  $35,000  of  them  are  payable  twenty  years  after 
date,  redeemable  at  the  option  of  the  Board,  ten  years  after  date,  and 
are  secured  by  a  mortgage  on  the  new  building  and  the  sixty-two  feet 
and  four  inches  of  ground  on  which  it  stands.  The  remaining  $15,000 
of  bonds  are  due  in  five  years  after  date,  and  are  redeemable  in  like 
manner  three  years  after  date.  They  are  secured  by  a  second  mort- 
gage on  the  house  and  lot  and  by  a  first  mortgage  on  the  land  in 
Jackson  County,  Missouri,  owned  by  the  Board,  and  upon  the  Board's 
printing-presses.  All  the  bonds  bear  six  per  cent  interest,  payable 
April  1  and  October  1  of  each  year.  The  mortgages  provide  that  the 
new  building  shall  be  kept  insured  for  $50,000;  $35,000  of  it  for  the 
benefit  of  the  holders  of  the  long  bonds  and  $15,000  for  the  benefit 
of  the  holders  of  the  short  ones.  Notwithstanding  the  stringent  mone- 
tary situation,  which  has  prevailed  for  the  greater  part  of  the  past 
year,  the  Board  has  been  able  to  sell  at  par  all  these  bonds,  except 
$2,000  of  the  short  ones.  These  will  doubtless  be  disposed  of  at  the 
same  price  very  soon. 

The  building,  in  its  adaptation  to  the  publishing  work,  its  stability, 
and  its  style  of  architecture,  satisfies  most  fully  all  the  expectations 
of  the  Board  and  the  Church.  Its  total  cost  in  round  numbers,  will  be 
about  $65,000.  About  $33,000  of  the  cost  has  already  been  paid,  and 
the  remainder  provided  for,  and  it  will  be  promptly  paid  as  the  work 
progresses.  The  mechanical  department  will  be  occupied  about  May 
20.  The  Board  still  owns  about  thirty-seven  feet  front  of  the  ninety- 
nine  feet  of  ground  purchased  for  the  purposes  of  the  new  building. 


THE  JJOAA'D  OF  PCULICATION.  459 

This  ground  coutaius  a  good  two-stoiy  brick  residence  of  about  ten 
rooms,  and  can  probably  be  sold  now  or  in  the  near  iuture  lor  $10,000, 
its  value  being  considerably  enhanced  by  the  erection  of  our  new 
building  alongside  of  it.  This  property  is  likely  to  still  further  en- 
hance in  price  within  the  next  two  or  three  years.  There  remains 
unpaid  about  $5,000,  and  interest  for  two  years,  of  the  price  agreed 
to  be  paid  by  the  Board  for  the  entire  lot.  This  balance  falls  due  on 
November  21  next.  Arrangements  have  been  made  by  which  $.5,000 
can  be  borrowed  and  secured  by  mortgage  upon  the  old  house  and 
thirty-seven  feet  of  ground.  Tlie  house  will,  in  our  opinion,  rent  for 
enough  to  pay  the  interest  on  the  loan,  the  taxes,  and  the  insurance. 
To  the  next  meeting  of  the  General  Assembly  there  will  be  made  a 
full,  detailed  report  of  the  cost  of  the  new  building  and  payments  on 
the   same. 

From  the  figures  given  above  it  will  be  seen  that  after  exhausting 
the  proceeds  of  the  $50,000  of  bonds  there  will  still  remain  to  be  paid 
on  the  building  $15,000.  Arrangements  are  made  to  borrow  this  sum, 
if  necessary,  temporarily  from  the  bank.  It  must,  however,  be  ul- 
timately paid  out  of  the  profits  of  the  publishing  business.— 1891,  pp. 
91,  92. 

Since  the  last  meeting  of  the  General  Assembly  the  new  building 
has  been  completed.  Although  the  contract  with  the  builders  re- 
quired the  manufacturing  department  lo  be  finished  by  January  1 
and  the  office  department  by  May  1,  1891,  yet  the  former  was  not 
ready  for  occupation  till  about  May  15,  and  the  latter  toward  the 
close  of  the  year.  For  the  rent  which  we  were  thereby  compelled 
to  pay  to  our  late  landlord,  and  that  which  we  failed  to  realize  on  the 
new  building,  we  required  the  contractors  to  abate  their  price  to 
the  extent  of  $1,011.88.  This  does  not  fully  repair  the  loss  caused 
by  the  delay,  but  the  settlement  was  made  in  a  spirit  of  compromise. 
The  building  and  its  appointments,  so  well  adapted  to  their  uses, 
and  the  former  so  beautiful  and  imposing  in  its  appearance,  command 
the  just  pride  of  every  Cumberland  Presbyterian.  Here  the  Church's 
publishing  work  has  a  permanent  abiding  place;  a  workshop  furnished 
"With  facilities  for  excellence  and  economy,  a  home  in  keeping  with 
its  dignity  and  importance.  It  is  a  permanent  heritage  which  will 
pass  to  future  generations.  In  building  it  and,  by  its  ])atronage.  pay- 
ing for  it,  this  generation  will  furnish  monumental  evidence  of  its 
progress  in  the  upbuilding  of  the  Master's   kingdom. 

The  cost  of  the  building  is  as  follows: 

Paid   for   foundation $  3,795  12 

Paid  on  general  contracts 58,037  58 

Paid  to  architect 1,950  00 

Paid  for  passenger  elevator 2,994  18 

Paid   for  freight  elevator 655  00 


460  PART  /■/.,  AGENCIES  OE  THE  ASSEMBEY. 

Paid    for    fire    escape 189  87 

Paid  for  sidewallv 195  2G 

Expense  of  engraving  bonds,  expenses  of  mort- 
gage, abstracts,  court  costs,  expense  of  selling 
bonds,  etc.,  and  interest  on  bank  loans  ac- 
cruing before  completion  of  building 2,o28  81 

Interest  on  bonds  accruing  before  completion  of 

building    1,457  75 

Total $71,603  57 

To  this  sum  is  to  be  added  the  value  of  the  loc  on  which  it  stands,, 
which  actually  cost  $10,000  and  is  worth  considerably  more.  The 
value  of  the  whole  investment  is,  therefore,  $81,<i03.57. — 1892,  p.  97. 

We  approve  the  idea  of  a  Publication  Day  for  the  whole  Church,  and 
recommend  that  the  Board  be  allowed  for  this  year  to  solicit  do- 
nations on  that  day,  the  same  to  be  applied  to  extinguish  the  debt  on 
the  Publishing  House.     Adopted. — 1893,  p.  39. 

The  collections  taken  up  on  Publication  Day  amounted  to  only  $1,- 
165.4(3;  the  expenses — circulars  and  postage — amounted  to  $321.45,  leav- 
ing net  receipts  $844.01.  The  number  of  congregations  and  friends 
participating  therein  were  only  328. — 1894,  p.  104. 

We  recommend  that  you  grant  the  prayer  contained  in  the  memo- 
rial from  Pacific  Synod  in  reference  to  Publication  Day  by  dis- 
pensing   with   said    day.     Adopted. — 1895,    p.    22. 

We  note  a  reduction  in  the  debt  of  the  house  of  $5,003.28,  leaving 
the  present  f.oating  debt  $28,000  and  the  bonded  debt  $48,500.-1894, 
p.  30. 

CUAliTKl!   OF   THE   BoAKl)   Ol     Pl' lil.K  Al'lOX. 

[This  Charter  constitutes  Sections  34  and  35  of  an  Act  of  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly  of  the  State  of  Tennessee,  passed  March  22,  ISGO,  Chapter 
167,  incorporating  a  number  of  religious  and  other  institutions.  The 
Sections  copied  below  are  all  that  relate  to  this  Board.  See  Acts  of 
1859-60,  p.  518.— .J.  V.  S.] 

An  Act  incorporating  the  Book  and  Tract  Society  of  the  Memphis 
Conference.  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  South,  and  for  other 
purposes. 

SEcno.x  1.  Be  it  enacted  by  the  General  Assembly  of  the  State  of 
Tennessee,  That     .     .     . 

SiccTiox  34.  Be  it  further  enacted.  That  W.  M.  Reed,  Wm.  E.  Ward. 
and  .\ndrew  Allison,  now  constituting  the  '■Committee  of  Publication 
of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church."  unde-  the  ap:iointment  of 
the  General  .Assembly,  be,  and  they  are  hereby  constituted  a  body  cor- 


THE  BOARD  OF  MISSIONS.  4(11 

porate  and  politic;  under  the  name  and  style  of  "The  Board  of  Pub-; 
lication  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,"  and  as  such  it  shall 
have  power  to  own  property,  to  make  contracts,  to  sue  and  be  sued; 
and  to  have  and  enjoy  such  other  powers  and  be  subject  to  such  lia- 
bilities as  are  incident  to  corporate  bodies  by  the  general  laws  of  the 
land;  said  Board  shall  be  subject  to  the  regulation  and  control  of  the 
General  Assembly  of  said  Church  under  its  past  and  future  action  on 
that  subject;  the  number  of  the  Board  may  be  increased  or  dimin- 
ished, and  all  vacancies  filled  as  the  said  authority  has  or  may  direct; 
the  General  Assembly  of  the  Church  shall  also  have  power  to  locate 
the  Board  and  change  the  same  at  pleasure;  and  also  at  any  time  to 
alter  the  name  of  said  corporation  or  dissolve  the  same,  but  not  so  as 
to  prejudice  the  rights  of  others. 

Section  35.  Be  it  enacted.  That  no  donation  by  will  or  otherwise, 
nor  any  conveyance  to  said  Board,  shall  fail  because  of  any  mis- 
take as  to  the  name  of  the  corporation;  I'roridcd  the  intention  is 
manifest,  and  all  donations  clearly  intended  for  the  cause  of  publica- 
tion in  the  said  Church  shall  inure  to  the  said  Board,  although  they 
may  be  made  to  any  other  society  or  organization  of  the  said  Church 
whether  incorporated  or  not. 

III.  THE    BOARD    OF    MISSIONS. 

J.  Early  missionary  work. 

The  records  show  that  from  the  beginning  the  Cumberland  Pres- 
byterian Church  was  actuated  by  a  missionary  spirit.  Some  four  years 
passed  after  the  organization  of  Cumberland  Presbytery,  on  February 
4,  1810,  before  it  was  apparent  that  a  separate  denomination  was  to 
be  the  result.  Work  as  a  new  Church  dates  from  the  organization 
of  the  first  Synod,  rather  than  from  1810. 

The  first  Synod  was  organized  at  the  Beech  meeting-house,  in  Sum- 
ner County,  Tennessee,  on  October  5,  1813.  The  original  Presbytery 
had  been  divided  into  three  Presbyteries,  viz. :  Logan.  Elk,  and  Cum- 
berland. At  this  meeting  of  the  Synod  the  name  of  the  Cumberland 
Presbytery  was  changed  to  that  of  Nashville. 

All  three  of  the  Presbyteries  which  composed  the  first  Synod  at 
once  began  missionary  work.  In  1818,  societies  were  formed  with  a 
view  of  missionary  effort  among  the  Indians.  It  appears  that  the  three 
Presbyteries  entered  upon  this  work  almost  simultaneously,  there  be- 
ing but  a  few  days'  difference  in  the  meetings  of  these  bodies,  when 
the  movement  was  inaugurated.  Elk,  it  appears,  was  the  first  to  be- 
gin. The  missionary  movement  seems  to  have  started  with  Rev. 
Samuel  King,  Rev.  James  Stewart,  and  Rev.  Robert  Bell.  Mr.  Bell 
drew  up  a  constltr.tion  for  a  Ladies'  Mi.-sionary  Society,  under  which 
the   societies  of  all   the   Presbyteries   worked. 


462  FART  VI.,  AGENCIES, OF  THE  ASSEMBLY. 

in  October,  ISIS,  the  Central  Board  of  Elk^  Presbytery  sent  Rev. 
Samuel  King  and  Rev:  William  Moore  to  the  Indians.  When  they  re- 
turned, in  the  Spring  of  1819,  and  made  a  report  of  their  work,  the 
Presbytery  sent  Mr.  King  back,  and  with  him  Rev.  Robert  Bell,  to 
evangelize  among  the  Indians.  Mr.  Bell  opened  a  school  for  the  In- 
dians, in  May,  1820,  which  was  continued  until  about  1832.  In  the 
meantime  a  Board  of  Missions  for  the  entire  Church  had  been  or- 
ganized; or  rather,  "the  Ladies'  Missionary  Society  of  Logan  Presby- 
tery, without  ceasing  to  be  the  Presbyterial  Society,  wa:s  also  made  the 
General  Society  of  the  Church,  and  all  the  ministers  of  the  Church 
were  appointed  trustees.  Rev.  Robert  Donnell,  of  Elk  Presbytery,  be- 
came the  President  of  the  General  Board  at  Russellviile.  ...  As 
the  Society  of  Logan  Presbytery,  it  had  the  ministers  of  that  Pres- 
bytery for  one  of  these  Boards;  as  the  General  Missionary  Society  of 
the  Church  it  had  all  the  preachers  in  the  Church  for  the  other."  The 
work  among  the  Indians  was  then  called  Foreign  Missions;  now  it 
is  known  as  Home  Missions. 

In  1815,  Rev.  Thomas  Calhoun  and  Rev.  Robert  Donnell  visited  East 
Tennessee  and  held  revival  meetings,  but  did  not  undertake  to  organize 
churches.  The  Presbyterian  Church  received  the  benefit  of  their  la- 
bors. The  next  year  Mr.  Calhoun  was  sent  for  and  crossed  the  moun- 
tains, and  filled  a  long  list  of  appointments  in  special  meetings.  In 
1818,  Rev.  David  Foster,  by. order  of  the  Nashville  Presbytery,  went 
to  a  circuit  in  East  Tennessee.  In  1821,  Rev.  J.  S.  Guthrie  was  sent 
to  the  Hiwassee  circuit.  Later  Rev.  Robert  Baker,  Rev.  Abner  Lans- 
den,  Rev.  George  Donnell,  and  Rev.  S.  M.  Aston,  were  sent  to  that 
field.  In  1826,  the  Presbytery  from  Middle  Tennessee  crossed  the 
mountains,  and  held  a  session  in  a  private  house  in  East  Tennessee. 
In  1827,  the  Knoxville  Pi'esbytery  was  organized. 

The  Nashville  Presbytery  established  circuits  in  West  Tennessee  as 
fast  as  the  country  was  opened.  Rev.  John  L.  Dillard  and  Rev.  James 
McDonnold  were  sent  thither,  in  1820.  In  1821,  Rev.  Richard  Beard 
was  sent  to  a  work  in  that  section.  Others  were  sent  from  time  to 
time,  and  the  work  prospered.  In  1824,  Hopewell  Presbytery  wa3  or- 
ganized. In  the  same  manner  Alabama  and  Mississippi  were  visited 
as  the  territories  were  opened  to  white  settlers. 

Logan  Presbytery  sent  missionaries  to  Indiana,  Illinois,  Ohio,  and 
Missouri;  and  besides  this  looked  after  the  destitute  parts  nearer 
home.  In  1811,  Rev.  William  Harris  visited  Indiana.  In  1817,  by 
order  of  Logan  Presbytery,  Rev.  Alexander  Chapman  and  Rev.  William 
Barnett  made  a  tour  of  the  State.  A  member  of  Rev.  Finis  Swing's 
congregation,  in  Kentucky,  had  moved  to  Illinois.  He  wrote  an  urgent 
letter  to  Rev.  William  Barnett  to  visit  that  section.  Mr.  Barnett  jour- 
neyed at  once  to  Illinois,  and  he  and  Rev.  Green  P.  Rice  held  the  first 
Cumberland  Presbyterian  camp-meeting  ever  held  in  the  State.  This 
was  in   1817.     In  1819,  the   Ladies'   Missionary   Society   at   Russellviile, 


THE  BOARD  OF  MISSIONS.  463 

Kentucky,  was  instrumental  in  sending  Rev.  R.  D.  Morrow  as  a  mis- 
sionary to  Missouri.  In  1820,  the  Board  of  Missions  sent  Rev.  Alex- 
ander Chapman  on  a  missionary  tour  through  Illinois.  In  1819,  McGee 
Presbytery  was  organized  in  Missouri,  and,  in  1822,  Illinois  Presby- 
tery was  formed  in  Illinois. 

In  the  same  manner  the  home  missionary  effort  of  early  Cumber- 
land Presbyterians  can  be  traced  in  planting  churches  in  Arkansas, 
Ohio,  and  Pennsylvania.  In  those  early  years  the  missionary  spirit 
of  the  denomination  was  its  very  life;  and  but  for  the  self-sacrifieing 
spirit  of  those  consecrated  men  and  women,  Cumberland  Presbyterian- 
ism  would  to-day  be  very  much  circumscribed.  In  1829,  the  General 
Assembly  was  organized;  and,  in  1831,  it  directed  that  "all  the  Pres- 
byteries form  home  missionary  societies,  and  that  each  congregation 
be  an  auxiliary  society  to  raise  funds  for  the  support  of  mission- 
aries." 

For  several  years  after  the  organization  of  the  General  Assembly 
the  missionary  work  of  the  Church  was  carried  on  by  the  Synods  and 
Pi-esbyteries,  but  the  time  came  when  the  work  needed  to  be  unified. 
This  led  the  General  Assembly,  in  1831,  to  adopt  the  following  reso- 
lution: 

licsohed,  That  a  committee  be  appointed  to  draft  and  report  a  plan, 
in  detail,  of  carrying  the  object  of  said  Home  Missionary  Society  into 
effect,  and  report  as  soon  as  convenient;  and  that  Rev.  James  S. 
Guthrie,  Carson  P..  Reed,  G.  Russell,  and  James  B.  Porter  constitute 
said  Committee.— 1834,  p.  223,  MSB. 

For  some  reason,  which  is  not  apparent,  the  report  of  this  Com- 
mittee was  laid  on  the  table.— 1834,  p.  23U,  MSS. 

In  1836,  the  General  Assembly  adopted  the  following  resolution: 

Jxcsolred,  That  a  missionary  board  be  now  formed,  to  be  called  the 
Board  of  Foreign  Missions  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church. 
— 183G,  p.  270,  MSS. 

In  accordance  with  the  foregoing  resolution,  on  Friday,  20th  day  of 
May,  1836,  during  a  recess  of  the  General  Assembly,  it  having  been 
resolved  to  form  a  Foreign  Missionary  Society,  under  the  supervision 
of  that  body.  Rev.  W.  S.  Burney  was  called  to  the  chair,  and  the 
follov/ing  constitution  was  unanimously  adopted: 

1.  The  object  of  this  Board  shall  be  to  aid  in  propagating  the  Gospel 
among  unevangelized  nations  and  communities. 

2.  The  Board  shall  appoint  their  own  officers,  who  shall  be  elected 
annually  by  ballot. 

3.  Persons  who,  at  any  time,  pay  twenty  dollars  .shall  have  the 
privilege  of  voting  and  assisticg  in  the  deliberations  of  the  annual 
meetings    of  the  Board. 

4.  The  officers  of  the  Board  shall  be  a  President,  Vice  President,  a 
Board  of  seven  Directors,  a  Recording  and  Corresponding  Secretary, 
a  Treasurer  and   an   Auditor. 


4(3-1  PART  /■/.,  AGEXCIES  OF  THE  ASSEMBLY. 

5.  It  bliall  be  the  duty  of  the  President,  and,  in  his  absence,  of  the 
Vice  President,  to  preside  at  each  meeting  of  the  Board,  and  to  perform 
such  other  duties  as  shall  be  assigned  to  him  by  any  by-law  of  the 
Board.  In  the  absence  of  the  President  and  Vice  President,  the  meet- 
ing shall  be  called  to  order  by  the  oldest  member  present,  after  which 
a  presiding  ofTicer  shall  be  chosen  for  the  occasion. 

6.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Board  of  Directors  to  carry  into  ef- 
fect all  resolutions  and  orders  of  the  Board,  the  execution  of  which 
shall  not  have  been  assigned  to  some  committee. 

7.  The  Recording  Secretary  shall  keep  accurate  minutes  of  the  pro- 
ceedings of  the  Board,  and  enter  the  same  in  a  book  of  records. 

8.  The  Corresponding  Secretary  shall  act  as  the  organ  of  the  Board 
in  conducting  its  written  correspondence,  except  what  relates  imme- 
diately to  the  Treasurer's  department,  and  shall  perform  such  other 
dutie.;  as  the  Board  shall  direct. 

9.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Treasurer  to  take  charge  of  all  moneys 
paid  into  the  Treasury  of  the  Board,  and  to  give  receipt  therefor,  to 
keep  safely  all  the  funds  and  moneys  of  the  Board,  to  keep  fair  and 
accurate  accounts  of  all  moneys  received  and  expended,  to  make  out 
annually  a  statement  of  receipts  and  payments,  for  the  information 
c:  th2  Board,  to  deposit  moneys,  to  make  remittances  and  payments 
accor.;ing  to  the  direction  of  the  Board,  to  exhibit  his  books,  accounts, 
and  vouchers,  when  required,  to  conduct  the  correspondence  relating 
to  his  department,  and  to  perform  all  other  acts  necessary  to  the 
faithful  discharge  of  the  duties  of  his  office. 

10.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Auditor  to  examine  the  books  of  the 
Treasurer  thoroughly,  once  a  year,  and  report  to  the  Board. 

11.  In  addition  to  the  above,  the  Board  of  Directors  shall  employ 
general  agents,  whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  co-operate  with  auxiliary  so- 
cieties, pastors  of  churches,  and  other  friends  of  missions,  in  promot- 
ing a  missionary  spirit  among  the  members  of  the  Cumberland  Pres- 
byterian Church,  and,  in  drawing  out  its  resources,  to  act  in  the  pro- 
mulgation of  the  Gospel  throughout  the  world.  These  agents  shall  be 
entitled  to  all  the  privileges  of  members  of  the  Board. 

12.  The  Board  shall  hold  an  annual  meeting  at  the  time  and  place 
of  the  meeting  of  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Cumberland  Presby- 
terian Church.  The  Board  of  Directors  shall  meet  on  its  own  adjourn- 
ments and  shall  report  its  proceedings  to  the  Board,  at  its  annual 
meetings. 

There  shall  'be  an  annual  sermon  preached  before  the  Board,  by  a 
person  appointed,  at  the  previous  meeting,  by  the  Board  of  Directors. 
In  case  of  an,  adjourned  meeting,  the  Recording  Secretary  shall  give 
suitable  notice  of  the  same,  in  the  religious  newspapers  which  may 
be  devoted  to  the  interests  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church. 

/i'r.so/,r(/,  That  an  election  of  officers  be  now  held:  whereupon  the 
followinc  officers  were  dulv  elected: 


THE  HOARD  OF  MISSIONS.  465 

Samuel  King,  President. 
Robert  Donnell,   Vice   President. 
James  Smith,  Corresponding  Secretary. 
J.  B.  Hill,  Recording  Secretary. 
T.  B.  Wilson,  Treasurer. 
J.  T.  Abernathy,  Auditor. 

W.  S.  Burney, 

W.  A.  Scott, 

R.   Beard, 

C.  G.  McPherson, 

W.  Smitli, 

R.  Tate, 

B.  Decherd, 

Board  of  Directors. 

117(r/T(/.s-,  In  the  opinion  of  this  Board,  a  much  greater  amount  of 
good  can  be  eflected  by  united,  than  by  divided,  effort,  and,  having 
full  confidence  in  the  benevolent  spirit  and  energetic  measures  of  the 
American  Board  of  Commissioners  for  Foreign  Missions:    therefore, 

h'v-'^'jl  ■('(],  That  the  Corresponding  Secretary  be,  and  he  is  hereby,  di- 
rected to  correspond  with  the  proper  officer  of  the  American  Board  of 
Commissioners  for  Foreign  Mis^sions,  for  the  purpose  of  ascertaining 
whether  it  be  compatible  with  the  views  of  that  Board  to  receive 
the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Board  as  an  auxiliary,  and  upon  what 
principles  we  can  co-operate  with  them  in  the  missionary  enterprise; 
and  that  he  report  at  the  next  annual  meeting  of  the  Board. 

Ucxdhid,  That  the  Rev.  James  Smith  be  requested  to  employ  a  proper 
agent,  or  agents,  to  present  the  claims  of  this  Board  to  the  churches, 
form  auxiliary  societies,  raise  funds,  etc.;  and  that  he  report  at  the 
next  annual  meeting  of  the  Board. 

The  Board  adjourned  to  meet  at  the  time  and  place  of  the  next 
meeting  oi  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian 
Church.— 1836,   pp.   278-280,   MSS. 

In  183.,  a  committee  submitted  a  report  to  the  General  Assembly 
in  reference  to  the  organization  of  a  Home  Missionary  Society. 

Following  i3  the  report: 

The  Committee,  appointed  to  examine  into  the  propriety  of  or- 
ganizing a  Home  Missionary  Society  distinct  from  the  Foreign  Mis- 
sionary Society,  report  that  it  is  desirable  but  not  expedient,  until 
your  other  institutions  be  settled  on  a  permanent  basis;  which  report 
was  adopted. — 1837,  p.  33.5,  MSS. 

In  1843,  the  Committee  on  Missions  presented  to  the  General  As- 
sembij'  the   following   report,   which   was   concurred    in: 

In    the    estimation    of    your    Committee,    the    subject    of    missions    is 
30 


466  PART  I 'I.,  ACENCI/iS  OF  THE  ASSEMULV. 

highly  important,  and  should  generally  and  particularly  engage  the 
attention  of  your  ministers  and  people;  on  them  rests  a  solemn  obli- 
gation to  bear  an  humble  part  in  evangelizing  the  world.  The  lan- 
guage of  the  Savior,  the  great  missionary,  is  still  applicable  to  his  dis- 
ciples. The  spirit  of  Christianity  is  a  missionary  spirit.  It  prompts 
the  dissemination  of  the  benign  influence  of  the  Gospel.  Benevolent 
enterprise  and  missionary  effort  employ  every  living  branch  of  the  true 
Church,  and  are  essential  to  its  spiritual  prosperity  and  perpetuity.  In 
this  most  interesting  department  of  Christian  labor,  as  a  people,  we 
should  be  more  actively  and  efficiently  engaged.  Have  we  not  laborers 
and  means  to  enlarge  our  borders  and  build  up  our  waste  places,  to 
lengthen  our  cords  and  strengthen  our  stakes,  to  lead  many  out  of 
darkness  and  bring  many  to  the  knowledge  of  Christ  and  the  hope 
of  the  Gospel?  If  this  is  not  done,  will  we  be  innocent  before  God? 
Will  his  approbation  rest  upon  us?  Can  a  healthful  influence  pervade 
our  churches?  Surely  we  will  not  be  less  wise,  less  liberal,  and  less 
active  ?n  benevolsnt  enterprise,  than  our  Christian  brethren  of  other 
denominations  or  than  is  required  by  the  Great  Head  of  the  Church. 

It  is  time  for  us  to  awake  from  our  past  inattention,  and  earnestly 
apply  ourselves  to  the  work  to  which  God,  in  his  providence  and  Word,, 
is  calling  us. 

In  the  opinion  of  your  Committee  the  missionary  v/ork,  both  do- 
mestic and  foreign,  should  engage  your  attention;  Lhe  latter  es- 
pecially should  now  engage  the  action  of  the  Assembly. 

On  this  subject  a  communication  has  been  placed  in  the  hands  of 
the  Committee  designating  a  point,  and  setting  forth  strong  induce- 
ments to  have  it  occupied  by  a  missionary  under  your  sanction;  also 
interesting  intelligence  was  communicated  to  the  Committee  I'espect- 
ing  other  points.  We  are  persuaded  that  there  are  many  places;  the 
field  is  extensive,  its  moral  wastes  and  necessities  are  great  and  pres.s- 
ing;  they  call  for  the  labors  of  your  missionaries,  which  would  be 
productive  of  incalculable  good  to  us  as  a  body  of  Christians,  would 
tend  to  advance  the  common  cause  of  Christ,  and  greatly  strengthen 
a  sound  moral  influence. 

The  Committee  are  of  opinion  that  there  should  be  a  Board  to  direct 
missionary  operations,  receive  and  disburse  funds,  and  manage  what- 
ever pertains  to  the  successful  operation  of  the  work.  But  the  Com- 
mittee believe  that  the  object  so  highly  interesting  and  desirable  would 
not  be  so  fully  advanced  by  entering  into  the  formal  organization  of 
a  board  at  this  time.  This  we  think  may  be  more  advisedly  and  ef- 
ficiently done  at  a  future  Assembly. 

The  Committee  deem  it  important,  however,  that  the  Assembly 
recommend  and  urge  the  several  Presbyteries  and  congregations  to 
employ  the  most  efficient  means  to  disseminate  a  missionary  spirit 
and  raise  contributions  for  a  missionary  fund,  by  public  collections 
or  through  solicitors,  or  both,  at  least  once  in  each  year;    and  it  is 


THE  BOARD  OF  M/SS/O.VS.  467 

recommended  that  each  Presbytery,  through  its  commissioners,  re- 
port the  amount  raised  within  its  bounds  for  missionary  purposes,  and 
that  each  congregation  and  Presbytery  forward  to  the  Assembly  so 
much  of  the  funds  collected  as  they  may  think  proper,  to  be  placed 
under  the  direction  of  such  Board  as  may  be  raised  by  the  Assembly. 

Believing  that  it  might  be  of  some  benefit  to  the  churches  and  have 
a  tendency  to  increase  an  interest  in  the  missionary  enterprise,  to 
have  the  subject  brought  before  them  in  a  plain  and  forcible  manner; 
therefore, 

Rrsolrcd,  That  all  our  ministers  are  instructed  to  deliver  a  sermon 
or  lecture  on  the  cause  of  missions,  domestic  and  foreign,  on  the 
last  Sabbath  in  December,  1843,  in  their  congregations,  and  that 
those  who  have  charge  of  more  than  one  congregation,  if  they  can- 
not preach  a  sermon  in  each  on  the  day  above  named,  do  it  at  some 
suitable  time  thereafter. 

The  Committee  being  aware  that  there  was  once  a  Foreign  Mission- 
ary Society,  regularly  organized,  which  is  still  in  existence,  and  should 
be  in  active  operation;  it  is  therefore  recommended,  that  the  funds 
raised  for  foreign  missionary  purposes  by  and  through  this  Society, 
be  appropriated  to  the  foreign  field  through  the  channel  of  the  Ameri- 
can Board  of  Commissioners  for  Foreign  Missions. — 1813,  pp.  127-136, 
MSS. 

The  Foreign  Missionary  Society,  it  seems,  did  not  accomplish  a  great 
deal.     It  was  never  chartered. 

While  voices  in  favor  of  a  chartered  board  of  Foreign  Missions  were 
heard  at  every  General  Assembly,  still  no  such  board  was  created.  The 
unchartered  Board  was  considered  sufficient.  Expecting  neither  lega- 
cies, law-suits,  nor  defalcations,  a  majority  thought  a  charter  unneces- 
sary. All  the  congregations  were  required  to  have  auxiliary  missionary 
societies,  tributary  to  this  Board. — From   McDoniwJiVs  History,  p.  209. 

The  missionary  work  of  the  Church  had  almost  entirely  passed  into 
the  hands  of  presbyterial  and  synodical  boards  of  missions.  The  La- 
dies' General  Board  at  Russellville,  Kentucky,  had  ceased  to  exist, 
and  the  chui'ch  at  that  place  had  declined  much  in  numbers  and  in- 
fluence. The  Assembly  of  1845  proceeded  to  organize  a  Board  of 
Foreign  and  Domestic  Missions,  and  located  it  at  Lebanon,  Tennessee. 
— Frum  McDonnnUl'x  Histori/,  p.  312. 

2«  The  Assembly's   Board  of   Foreign  and  Domestic 
Missions  organized. 

In  1845,  the  General  Assembly  adopted  the  report  of  the  Committee 
on  Missions,  which  recommended  that  the  Assembly  organize  a  mis- 
sionary board,  to  be  called  the  Assembly's  Board  of  Foreign  and  Do- 
mestic Missions,  to  be  governed  by  the  following 


468  PART  17.,  .IGENCIES  OF  THE  ASSEMBLY. 

CONSTITITIO-X. 

■^  Article  1.  The  object  of  this  Board  shall  be  to  sustain  foreign  and 
domestic  missionaries  at  such  places  as  may  be  pointed  out  by  the 
General  Assembly. 

Article  2.  The  Board  shall  con.sisi  of  thirteen  members,  four  of 
whom  shall  serve  one  year,  lour  iwo  years,  and  five  three  years,  to 
be  elected  at  each  meeting  of  the  General  Assembly. 

Article  3.  The  officers  of  the  Board  shall  consist  of  a  President, 
four  Vice  Presidents,   Secretary   and  Treasurer. 

Article  4.  The  Board  shall  appoint  an  Executive  Committee,  to  con- 
sist of  the  Treasurer,  Secretary,  and  three  other  members,  to  manage 
the  fiscal  concerns  of  the  Board,  any  three  of  whom  shall  constitute  a 
quorum. 

Article  5.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  President,  and,  in  his  absence, 
the  Vice  President,  to  preside  at  all  the  meetings  of  the  Board. 

Article  ti.  The  Treasurer  shall  receive  and  pay  out  all  moneys  that 
may  be  contributed,  when  ordered  by  the  President,  whose  order  shall 
be  countersigned  by  the  Secretary. 

Article  7.  The  Secretary  shall  keep  a  record  of  all  the  proceedings 
of  the  Board  and  Executive  Committee,  and  conduct  their  correspond- 
ence. 

Article  S.  The  Treasurer  shall  give  bond  and  seciu-ity,  which  bond 
shall  be  lenewed  from  time  to  time,  as  the  Executive  Committee  may 
deem  proper. 

Article  9.  The  Executive  Committee  shall  take  all  appropriate  steps 
for  the  vigorous  prosecution  of  tho,  objects  of  the  Board,  fix  the  times 
of  meetings,  and  form  all  rules  of  business,  in  conformity  with  the 
Constitution. 

Article  lu.  There  shall  be  an  annual  meeting  of  the  Board  at  such 
a  time  and  place  as  shall  be  determined  by  the  votes  of  said  Boai'd 
when  a  quorum  is  present,  which  shall  consist  of  a  majority  of  the 
members.  And  should  a  quorum  fail  lo  attend,  the  President  shall 
adjourn  the  meeting  from  time  to  time  until  a  quorum  can  be  had. 

Article  11.  At  the  annual  meeting  of  the  Board,  the  proceedings 
of  the  Executive  Committee  shall  be  reviewed,  accounts  audited  and 
published,  with  the  report  of  the  Board,  and  officers  elected  for  the 
ensuing  year.     Members  may  be  re-eligible. 

Article  12.  At  the  annual  meeting  of  the  Board  there  shall  be  a 
sermon  delivered,  adapted  to  the  occasion,  by  some  person  previously 
appointed. 

Article  13.  The  funds  placed  in  the  hands  of  the  Treasurer  shall 
be  equally  divided  between  the  foreign  and  domestic  fields,  unless 
otherwise  determined  by  the  Assembly. 

Article  14.  Alterations  may  be  made  in  this  Constitution  by  a  vot-e 
of  two-thirds  of  the  Assembly. 


THE  BOARD  OF  MI  SSI  OSS.  469' 

Your  Committee  would  recommend  that  a  suitable  minister  in  each 
Presbytery  be  appointed  to  ride  throughout  its  bounds  tor  the  purpose 
of  organizing  missionary  societies,  embracing  both  the  foreign  and 
domestic  fields,  auxiliary  lo  the  Assembly's  Board;  and  that  they  keep 
a  journa.1  of  the  time  so  employed,  and  report  to  the  next  General 
Assembly.— 18J. 5,  pp.  339-344,  MSS. 

Several  changes  were  made  in  the  Constitution  the  following  year. 
—1846,  pp.  431- x42,  MSS. 

In  1853,  an  amended  Constitution  was  adopted. — 1853.  pp.  33,  34. 

Again,  in  1858,  an  amended  Constitution  was  adopted.  It  is  as  fol- 
low^s : 

Article  I.  The  object  of  this  Board  shall  be  to  sustain  Foreign  and 
Domestic  Missions,  at  such  places  as  may  seem  to  said  Board  most 
promising  for  the  promotion  of  the  cause  of  Christ,  and  the  general 
interests  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church. 

Article  II.  The  Board  shall  consist  of  twelve  members,  who  shall 
serve  until  successors  are  appointed,  and  a  majority  of  said  Board  shall 
constitute   a   quorum. 

Article  III.  The  Board  shall  fill  any  vacancies  which  may  occur 
in  this  body,  by  death,  resignation,  or  otherwise,  subject  to  the  sanc- 
tion and  ratification  of  the  General   Assembly. 

Article  IV.  The  officers  of  the  Board  shall  consist  of  a  President, 
four  Vice  Presidents,  Recording  Secretary,  Treasurer,  and  Correspond- 
ing Secretary. 

Article  V.  The  Board  shall  appoint  an  Executive  Committee,  which 
shall  consist  of  Recording  Secretary,  Treasurer,  and  three  other  mem- 
bers, to  manage  the  fiscal  concerns  of  the  Board,  any  three  of  whom 
shall  constitute  a  quorum. 

Article  VI.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  President,  and,  in  case  of  his 
absence,  the  eldest  Vice  President  present,  to  preside  at  all  the  meetings 
of  the  Board,  and  the  President  or  Executive  Committee  shall  have 
power  to  call  a  meeting  of  the  Board  at  any  time  and  place  deemed 
expedient. 

Article  VII.  The  Treasurer  shall  receive  and  hold  all  moneys  which 
may  be  contributed  for  the  use  and  benefit  of  the  Board,  for  which 
he  shall  give  bond  and  approved  security,  to  be  renewed  as  often  as 
the  Board  may  demand.  He  shall  also  disburse  the  funds  in  his  hands 
as  the  Board  or  Executive  Committee  may  direct. 

Article  VIII.  The  Recording  Secretary  shall  keep  an  accurate  rec- 
ord of  all  the  proceedings  of  the  Board. 

Article  IX.  The  Executive  Committee  shall  take  all  necessary  steps 
for  the  vigorous  pi'osecution  of  the  objects  of  the  Boai'd,  employ 
agents,  attend  to  the  financial  concerns  of  the  Board,  and  settle  an- 
nually with  the  Treasurer. 

Article  X.  The  Corresponding  Secretary  shall  conduct  the  corre- 
spondence of  the  Board,  visit  mission  churches  when  directed  by  the 


470  PART  /■/.,  AGENCIES  OF  THE  ASSEMTLY. 

Board,  examine  and  report  llieir  condition,  travel  through  the  Church, 
attend  the  judicatories  thereof,  and  use  his  best  efforts  to  promote 
the  objects  for  which  the  Board  was  organized. 

Article  XI.  The  Board  shall  hold  an  annual  meeting  on  the  first 
Wednesday  in  each  year,  or  as  early  thereafter  as  practicable,  at  which 
time  the  officers  for  the  ensuing  year  shall  be  elected,  and  reports 
from  the  Treasurer  and  the  Board  shall  be  furnished,  which  reports 
shall  be  presented  to  the  next  General  Assembly. 

Article  XII.  All  funds  coming  into  the  hands  of  the  Board  shall 
be  appropriated  as  the  donor  or  donors  may  direct,  whether  to  foreign 
or   domestic    missions. 

Article  XIII.  The  Board  shall  not  incur  any  liabilities  beyond  the 
means  within  their  control,  or  such  as  they  may  reasonably  expect 
to  receive  in  the  course  of  the  current  year. 

Article  XIV.  Any  person  may  become  an  honorary  member  of  the 
Board  by  the  payment  of  twenty  dollars,  and  a  life  director  by  the 
contribution    of    fifty    dollars. 

Article  XV.  Any  Synod,  Presbytery,  or  Society  may  become  an 
auxiliary,  by  paying  annually  to  this  Board  its  surplus  funds. 

Article  XVI.  Should  any  person  donate  or  bequeath  any  sum  to 
this  Board  as  a  permanent  fund,  the  Board  shall  make  a  safe  invest- 
ment of  said  sum,  using  only  the  interest  annually,  the  principal  re- 
maining forever  as  a  permanent  fund. 

Article  XVII.  Alterations  may  be  made  in  this  Constitution  by  a 
vote  of  two-thirds  of  the  General  Assembly. — 185S,  pp.  G2,  03. 

(1)   Tiif:   B().\.i;i)   i.oca'ied  at   Let-axox,   Te.\m:ssee. 

The  Assembly  appointed  the  following  as  a  Missionary  Board:  Rev. 
Messrs.  F.  R.  Cossitt,  Thomas  Calhoun,  T.  C.  Anderson,  D.  Lowry, 
Samuel  M.  Aston,  C.  P.  Reed,  G.  Mansfield,  A.  M.  Bryan,  and  Messrs. 
A.  Allison,  J.  McClain,  I.  Golladay,  R.  L.  Caruthers,  and  Dr.  M. 
McKorkle;  and  ordered  that  the  first  four  serve  one  year,  the  next 
four  two  years,  and  the  last  five  three  years. — 1845,  p.  348,  MSS. 

Rev.  Thomas  Calhoun  was  the  Boards  first  President.  After  his 
death,  Rev.  F.  R.  Cossitt  was  President. — From  McDonnold's  History, 
p.  312. 

{(i)   A</riiis  niijihiiml  to  colJcct  (iiiiil<. 

In  its  report  in  1847,  the  Board  said  that  it  had  been  resolved  to 
offer  agencies  to  Rev.  L.  R.  Woods  and  Rev.  S.  M.  Aston.  Brother 
Woods  accepted  the  agency,  and  at  a  subsequent  meeting  he  was  regu- 
larly commissioned  as  General  Agent  of  the  Board,  and  commenced 
operations  about  the  first  of  October.  Brother  Aston  declined  an 
agency  in  behalf  of  the  Board.  It  was  then  offered  to  Brother  .J.  C. 
Bradly,  who  also  declined.  After  corresponding  with  several  brothers 
the  services  of  S.  N.  Davis  were  secured,  with  the  assurance  that  he 


THIC  BOARD  OF  MISSIONS.  471 

would  commence  operations  early  in  the  Spring.     His  commission  bears 
date  January  27,  1847. 

Agents  were  allowed  33  1-3  per  cent  upon  all  moneys  collected  until 
the  salaries  should  reach  six  hundred  dollars  per  annum,  and  ten  per 
cent  upon  all  they  might  collect  over  that  sum. 

Brother  Woods  was  instructed,  when  commissioned,  to  operate  north 
of  the  Ohio  River,  till  another  agent  could  be  employed  and  the  field 
equally  divided.  When  Brother  Davis  was  commissioned  he  was  di- 
rected to  commence  operations  in  Kentucky  and  to  open  a  correspond- 
ence with  Brother  Woods  respecting  a  division  of  the  field,  with  di- 
rections that  in  the  event  of  a  failure  to  make  satisfactory  arrange- 
ments between  themselves,  the  Committee  would  assign  each  his  re- 
spective field.  Brother  Woods  made  his  first  quarterly  report  under 
date  of  January  7,  1847,  informing  the  Committee  that  he  had  occupied 
the  field  till  compelled  to  relinquish  it  by  the  severity  of  the  Winter, 
but  expected  to  resume  his  labors  early  in  the  Spring.  A  communica- 
tion has  very  recently  been  received  from  Brother  Davis,  tendering  his 
resignation,  and  his  reasons  for  it.  Brother  Woods  is  therefore  the 
only  agent  in  the  field  at  present— 1847,  pp.  552-555,  MSS. 
The  following  suggestion  of  the  Committee  was  concurred  in: 
Your  Committee  would  suggest  ihat  the  Board  appoint  one  or  two 
general  agents,  with  authority  to  appoint  sub-agents,  so  as  to  occupy 
the  whole  territory. — 1847,  p.  44. 

The  Board  reported  that  it  had  hoped  that  the  local  agents,  in  con- 
nection with  the  General  Agent,  L.  R.  Woods,  would  have  secured  am- 
ple means  to  sustain  those  important  stations. — 1850,  p.  44. 

The  following  shows  the  dependence  of  the  Board  on  the  work  of 
agents: 

Immediately  after  the  appointment  of  our  General  Agent  and  Cor- 
responding Secretary,  he  succeeded  in  procuring  the  services  of  Rev. 
J.  F.  McCutcheon,  as  Collecting  Agent  for  the  Board  within  the  bounds 
of  Columbia  Synod;  and  the  Rev.  S.  R.  Roseborough  for  North  Missis- 
sippi and  West  Tennessee,  who  received  their  commissions  and  en- 
tered upon  the  duties  of  their  agency  in  December  last.  They  have 
met  with  encouraging  success. 

The  services  of  Rev.  J.  B.  Logan  have  also  been  procured  as  Agent 
for  Missouri;  but  from  feeble  health  and  other  circumstances,  his  ef- 
forts, during  the  past  Winter  and  the  early  part  of  the  present  season, 
were  quite  limited.  From  his  late  report,  however,  it  is  presumed  that 
he  has,  ere  this,  entered  fully  upon  his  work.  The  churches  he  has 
visited  have  received  him  warmly,  evincing,  by  their  donations,  a  spirit 
of  benevolent  enterprise,  which  warrants  his  confidence  in  the  success 
of  his  mission.     We  expect  important  results  from  his  labors. 

Rev.  Martin  Baker  has  been  commissioned  for  Kentucky  Synod.  He 
commenced  his  labors  in  February  last,  and  has  made  a  fair  report  of 
his  success  thus  far. 


471'  PART  /'/.,  AC  EN  CI ES  OE  THE  ASSEMELY. 

Rev.  J.  H.  D.  Henderson  lias  recently  received  a  commission  for 
the  bounds  of  Pennsylvania  Synod;  and  Rev.  J.  C.  Matthews,  for  Ripley 
Presbytery,  Mississippi. 

The  Board  feel  assured  that  when  these  brethren  get  fairly  engaged 
in  their  work,  our  resources  will  soon  justify  a  very  considerable  en- 
largement of  our  operations. — 1851,  pp.  41,  42. 

It  was  made  the  duty  of  the  Board  ot  Missions  to  appoint  one 
General  Agent  for  each  Synod  or  State,  as  may  be  deemed  advisable, 
whose  duty  it  should  be  to  appoint  such  other  local  agent  or  agents 
as  might  be  necessary,  one  for  each  Presbytery,  if  needful,  thoroughly 
to  canvass  every  congregation  within  his  field  of  labor,  and  call  on 
the  people,  by  public  addresses  and  private  intercourse,  for  their  con- 
tributions to  the  cause  of  missions.— 1855,  p.  tio. 

{h)  III  ils  [nnit/ii  iritik  llir  Uniiid  to  bci-niiK'  a iLriHiirii  lo  the  Aiiivrlcdii 
Board  of  ('oniiiiiKs'iouvrs  (or  Foreign  Misxioiix. 

The  General  Assembly  concurred  in  the  following  suggestion: 
Your  Committee  would  also  suggest  the  propriety  of  your  Board  of 
Foreign  and  Domestic  Missions  corresponding  with  the  Western  Branch 
of  the  American  Board  of  Commissioners  for  Foreign  Missions,  lo- 
cated at  Cincinnati,  with  regard  to  becoming  auxiliary  thereto  so  far  as 
Foreign  Missions  are  concerned.^ — 1847,  pp.  G57,  G58,  MSS. 

■'For  a  few  years  it  [the  Board]  carried  on  its  foreign  work  as  an 
auxiliary  of   the   American   Board. — Fj-oiii   McDoniiohl's   Ilixturii,   p.   312. 

(.(■}    Com-spoitdiiKj   Srm  lai'i(  X    of    the    Hoard. 

The  following   recommendation   ^vas   approved: 

We  recommend  that  your  Board  of  Missions  be  encouraged  to 'use 
all  possible  means  to  effect  the  consummation  of  the  arrangement 
suggested  in  their  report — the  securing  of  a  Secretary  who  shall  de- 
vote his  whole  time  and  energies  to  the  furtherance  of  the  purposes 
of  the  Board.  An  efficient  officer  of  this  kind  would,  i:  our  humble 
opinion,  instill  into  the  whole  Board  a  more  healthful,  :;alutary,  and 
constant  exertion,  and  mark  its  acts  with  a  pure  zeal,  which  must 
be  seen  in  that  body  ere  the  Church  will  take  hold  upon  the  enter- 
prise, as  it  must  and  will  do  when  it  is  called  out  in  its  strength 
upon  this  subject.  Your  Committee  feel  that  they  hazard  nothing  in 
saying  that  without  an  able,  ardent,  and  devoted  officer  of  this  kind, 
your  Board  of  Missions  must  necessarily  be  less  efficient,  less  zealous, 
and  less  successful  than  the  state  of  the  enterprise  will  now  admit. 

It  is  true,  as  the  Board  state  in  iheir  report  to  your  body,  that 
this  arrangement  will,  to  the  amount  of  the  Secretary's  salary,  in- 
crease the  expenses  of  the  Board.  But  we  feel  sure  that  such  an 
officer  would  procure  for  the  Board  much  more  means  than  his  salary 
would    draw   out.     Indeed,    it   seems    to   us   that    it   would   be   sowing 


THE  BOARD  OF  MISSIONS.  473 

seed  from  which  the  Board  might  expect  to  reap  a  plentiful  harvest. 
Procure  this  oincer;  let  him  correspond  with  tiie  agents  of  the  Board, 
directing  and  aiding  them  in  their  duties;  let  him  bring  this  cause 
before  our  people  through  our  journals;  let  him  visit  the  Presby- 
teries, Synods,  and  General  Assemblies;  let  him  prayerfully  dedicate 
himself  to  this  great  work,  and  the  whole  enterprise  will  be  thrilled 
with  new  life  and  spirit. — 1850,  pp.  22,  23. 

(1)  Rev.  Isatir  tSliuok,  ('oi-n-siti/iuliiii/  Sccfrldj-j/. — lu  our  last  annual  re- 
port, it  was  stated  that  a  correspondence  had  been  commenced  for  the 
purpose  of  procuring  the  services  of  a  competent  person  to  take  charge 
of  our  missionary  enterprise  as  Corresponding  Secretary,  who  would 
devote  his  whole  time  to  the  work.  That  arrangement  was,  however, 
not  consummated  until  in  August  last,  when  the  Rev.  Isaac  Sliook,  of 
Bedford,  County,  Tennessee,  received  and  accepted  the  appointment  to 
that  orfice,  including  with  it  all  the  duties  of  a  General  Agency  for 
the  Board. — 1S51,  p.  41. 

Mr.  Shook  resigned  in  1854. 

(,2)  litr.  T.  r.  I'dllidini,  CorrisitDinVnui  tSccrctdrj/. — After  Mr.  Shook's 
resignation,  in  1854,  there  was  an  interval  without  a  Secretary.  Then 
the  Rev.  T.  P.  Calhoun  was  elected.  He  was  a  young  man  just  out 
of  college,  a  son  of  Thomas  Calhoun.  ...  In  the  collection  of  mis- 
sionary funds,  he  relied  largely  on  traveling  agenis,  but  the  results  of 
this  whole  system  were  unsatisfactory.  In  1857,  Mr.  Calhoun  resigned, 
and  there  was  considerable  difflculty  in  securing  anotlier  Secretary. — 
From  McDiiiniold's  Hlxtonj,  p.  313. 

(3)  Rcr.  T.  C.  Blake,  Vorn'sjxjiidhi!;  SccnKirii. — Kev.  T.  C.  Blake  was 
elected  Corresponding  Secretary,  and  entered  upon  the  duties  of  the 
office  December  last. — 185S,  p.  55. 

Rev.  T.  C.  Blake  was  secured  for  this  position  in  December,  1857, 
and  to  him  the  Church  is  indebted  for  the  first  successful  attempt  to 
dispense  with  traveling  agents  in  the  work  of  collecting  money  for 
missions.  When  he  announced  that  the  preachers  throughout  the 
Church  would  be  solely  relied  on  to  do  the  work  hitherto  done  by 
agents,  many  were  the  prophecies  of  disaster.  But  the  Secretary  ad- 
hered strictly  to  his  programme.  In  two  years,  without  paid  agents, 
the  receipts  of  the  Board  were  increased  from  $5,000  to  $14,000.  Notes 
on  hand  Avere  regularly  reported  by  Mr.  Blake,  but  these  were  notes 
taken  under  former  Secretaries.  The  cash  receipts  were  $14,000.  The 
receipts  by  States  for  1860  were,  in  I'ound  numbers,  as  follows:  Ten- 
nessee, $5,235;  Alabama,  $2,251;  Arkansas,  $1,595;  Mississippi,  $1,460; 
Kentucky,  $1,135;  Indiana,  $925;  Missouri,  $562;  Texas,  $302;  Kansas, 
$181;  Louisiana,  $106;  Illinois,  $90;  Iowa,  $75;  Pennsylvania,  $53;  Ohio, 
$48.  There  were  small  contributions  from  several  other  States. — From 
McDoniKtId'x  Hisforii.  p.  313. 


474  PART  ]'/.,  AGEXCIES  OF  THE  ASSEMBLY. 

((/)   KdiicatioiKil   lino  IIS  (nhiiitcd. 

(1)  77/c  Moiitlih/  Coiicfrt  n(  Prai/cr. — The  following  resolution  was 
adopted : 

Rcsoired,  That  this  Assembly  renew  the  recommendation  to  all  our 
churches  to  hold  monthly  concerts  of  prayer  for  the  conversion  of  the 
world.— 1845,   p.   347,  MSS. 

The  following  recommendation  was  concurred  in: 

Rvsolred,  That  the  Sabbath  evening  preceding  the  first  Monday  of 
each  month  be,  and  is  hereby,  designated  as  the  time  for  the  monthly 
concert;  and  all  our  congregations  are  hereby  most  pressingly  urged 
to  unite  in  observing  the  concert,  with  singing,  prayer,  and  lectures,  or 
sermons,  together  with  a  collection,  as  circumstances  seem  to  require. 
—1851,  p.  53. 

The  Boai'd  reported  that  "a  few  churches  regularly  observe  the 
monthly  concert  and  contribute  to  the  cause  of  missions;  and  it  is  a 
fact  whicli  ought  to  be  generally  known,  that  the  annual  contribu- 
tions of  these  churches  far  exceed  those  that  do  not.'" — 1858,  p.  56. 

The  following  resolution  was  adopted: 

1\c.'<(jIvc(I,  That  it  be  urged  upon  all  the  congregations  within  the  care 
of  the  General  Assembly  to  observe  the  monthly  concert  of  prayer, 
for  the  success  of  the  cause  of  missions,  and  that  missionary  col- 
lections be  taken  up  on  these  occasions  for  the  support  of  our  mis- 
sions.—1858,  p.  31. 

A  similar  resolution  was  adopted  in  1859. — Minutes,  p.  41. 

(2)  SiK'cial  iiu'ctiii</f<  (if  (I  iiiissidiKini  clni meter  lo  he  held  at  the  Assciiihly. 
— A  recommendation  of   the   Committee   was  adopted   as  follows: 

We  also  recommend  to  the  General  Assembly  the  propriety  of  hold- 
ing at  each  of  its  stated  meetings  a  missionary  anniversary;  a  mis- 
sionary sermon,  or  addresses,  should  be  delivered  by  persons  pre- 
viously appointed,  and  a  collection  taken  up  for  the  benefit  of  the 
cause.  Your  Committee  feel  that  this  arrangement  would  be  pro- 
ductive of  the  highest  good  to  the  enterprise.  The  members  of  the 
Assembly  being  associated  in  pious  interchange  of  opinion,  and  a  re- 
ciprocal holy  influence  upon '  each  other,  would  carry  back  to  their 
respective  charges  a  warm  and  thrilling  zeal,  which  would  soon  dis- 
seminate itself  throughout  the  whole  Church. — 1850,  p.  25. 

The  General  Assembly  determined  that  a  missionary  anniversary 
should  be  held  at  each  regular  meeting  of  the  Assembly,  and  that  a 
sermon,  or  addresses  be  delivered  by  persons  previously  appointed  and 
collections  taken  up;  and  Presbyteries  and  Synods  were  asked  to  pursue 
the  same  course. — 1851,  p.  53. 

(3)  Missionary  periodicals. — It  was  the  opinion  of  the  General  As- 
sembly that    the    Cumberland     l'resl)\iter\uit     Missiimarn,    published    at 


THE  HOARD  OF  MISSIOXS.  475 

Lebanon,  Tenn.,  is  adapted  to  communicate  missionary  intelligence, 
-and  as  such,  is  worthy  of  the  liberal  patronage  of  the  Church  gener- 
ally.—1855,  p.    65. 

(4)  Mis><l()iiari/  scnnoiis  In  he  jiri'dchcil  before  the  elnncJies.- — The  As- 
sembly requested  each  minister  having  charge  of  a  congregation, 
either  as  pastor  or  supply,  to  preach  or  cause  to  be  preached  a  mis- 
sionary sermon  at  least  once  in  every  six  months  to  said  congregation 
or  congregations,  as  the  case  may  be,  and  lift  a  public  collection  for 
the  cause  of  missions,  and  endeavor  to  establish  or  maintain  con- 
gregational missionary  societies,  to  which  every  member  of  the 
Church  shall   be  earnestly   requested   to   contribute  statedly. — 1855,   p. 

■6(3. 

The  following  resolutions  were  adopted: 

licsolrcd.  That  it  be  recommended  to  the  pastors  and  stated  supplies 
of  all  congregations,  to  preach  at  least  one  missionary  sermon  to  his 
congregation  in  the  course  of  the  year,  and  to  lift  a  public  collection 
for  missionary  purposes. 

ReaoUed,  That  in  order  to  concert  of  action  on  this  subject,  the 
Sabbath  succeeding  the  fourth  day  of  February,  1859,  the  anniversary 
of  the  origin  of  our  Church,  or  as  soon  thereafter  as  convenient,  be 
recommended  as  the  day  for  the  missionary  sermon. — 1858,   pp.  31,  32. 

{(■)    The   lliiine   M issiaiitiri/    Work   of   the   Board. 

The  Home  Missionary  Work  of  the  Board  falls  into  three  divisions: 
evangelistic,  city  missions,  and  work  among  the  Indians. 

(1)  Eraiif/elistie. — The   following   resolutions   were   concurred    in: 

Resolved,  That  Samuel  King  and  Robt.  D.  King  be,  and  are  hereby 
requested  to  visit,  so  far  as  they  can,  the  churches  in  Kentucky  and 
East  Tennessee,  during  the  ensuing  Summer  and  Fall;  and  that  be- 
tween Autumn  and  the  next  General  Assembly,  they  visit  the 
churches  in  Alabama  and   Mississippi. 

Rexotred,  That  all  our  churches  be,  and  are  hereby,  requested  to 
contribute  to  the  support  of  all  the  missionaries  sent  forth  and  recom- 
mended by  this  Assembly. 

Resotrcd,  That  Brothers  Reuben  Burrow  and  Wm.  Bigham  are  hereby 
appointed  missionaries  through  the  bounds  of  Missouri  and  Arkansas 
Territory.— 1835,  p.  260,  MSS. 

The  following  resolution  was  adopted: 

Resotred,  That  Brother  S.  W.  Frazier  be,  and  is  hereby,  appointed 
a  missionary  of  this  General  Assembly  to  the  Republic  of  Texas. — 
1838,  p.  453,  MSS. 

The   Board   reported   work   of   an   evangelistic   character   as   follows: 

Rev.  W.  H.  Bigham,  a  minister  of  our  Church,  who  has  been  la- 
boring in  a  very  destitute  region,  bordering  on  the  Mississippi  River, 


476  PART  VI.,  AGEXCJES  OF  THE  ASSEJIBLV. 

from  the  mouth  ol"  the  Ohio  to  Memphis,  a  distance  of  two  hundred 
miles,  having  called  the  attention  of  the  Board  to  the  destitution  of 
that  neglected  region,  and  his  inability  to  labor  there  longer  \xithout 
pecuniary  aid,  he  has  received  an  appropriacion  of  one  hundred  dol- 
lars.—1S49,  p.  37. 

Brother  Bigham  is  still  laboring  with  encouraging  success  among 
the  destitute  population  dispersed  along  the  Mississippi  River,  be- 
tween the  mouth  of  the  Ohio  and  Memphis.  He  has  had  during  the 
present  year,  several  interesting  revivals,  and  has  organized  two  or 
three  churches.  Believing  that  he  ought  to  be  sustained  in  that  field, 
he  has  received  a  small  appropriation. — 18-50,  p.  44. 

Rev.  W.  H.  Bigham,  to  whom  the  Board  has  heretofore  made  some 
appropriations,  is  still  laboring  among  the  destitute  and  neglected 
population  along  the  shores  of  the  Mississippi  River,  with  some  suc- 
cess.—18.51,  p.  46. 

Brothers  Cornwall  and  Braly,  ordained  ministers  of  our  Church, 
having  emigrated  to  Oregon  Territory,  find  there  the  field  white  unto 
the  harvest.  There  are  also  three  licentiates  in  that  country;  but 
operations  are  much  embarrasseti,  in  the  absence  of  a  presbyterial 
organization.  The  Board  have  resolved  to  remove  this  difucuity  by 
sending  oiit,  at  as  early  a  period  as  practicable,  another  ordained  min- 
ister, to  aid  Brothers  Cornwall  and  Braly  in  organizing  a  Presbytery 
in  Oregon;  and  for  this  purpose  three  of  the  members  of  the  Board, 
who  are  also  delegates  to  the  General  Assembly,  have  been  con- 
stituted a  committee  to  select  a  suitable  minister,  commission  him, 
and  send  him  out  immediately,  and  to  effect  this,  the  Board  appro 
priated  two  hundred  and  fifty  dollars.  Oregon  City  is  designated  as 
the  center  of  his  field  of  labor. 

The  Board  having  learned  that  Brothers  Cornwall  and  Braly  are 
suffering  great  pecuniary  destitution,  ov.-ing  to  the  losses  they  sus- 
tained during  their  passage  to  Oregon,  appropriated  to  each  of  them 
the  sum  of  fifty  dollars.— 1849,  p.  38. 

Rev.  Neil  Johnson,  of  New  London,  Iowa,  has  been  appointed  Mis- 
sionary to  Oregon,  to  fill  the  place  of  Rev.  Mr.  Taylor;  and  is,  ac- 
cording to  his  own  published  arrangements,  now  on  his  way.  The 
Board  regret  veiy  much  this  long,  and,  on  their  part,  unavoidable 
delay,  in  getting  an  additional  missionary  into  that  important  field, 
and  hope  they  will  meet  with  no  further  disappointments. — 1851,  pp. 
42,  43. 

Rev.  A.  A.  Moore  has  been  quite  successful  as  an  itinerant  mis- 
sionary in  Kansas  Territory.  He  has  organized  many  churches  and 
laid  the  foundation  for  great  and  permanent  good. 

Rev.  H.  M.  Ford  is  under  appointment  from  the  Board  for  the  same 
field.  He  is  to  labor  as  an  evangelist  in  the  norrhern  portion  of  the 
territory,    making    Leavenworth    City    his    headquarters. — 1858,    p.    5S. 


THE  BOARD  OF  MISSIONS.  477 

Rev.  J.  B.  Green  was  commissioned  during  ihe  year  to  labor  as 
an  evangelist  in  Kansas  Territory,  making  Leavenworth  City  his  head- 
quarters or  center  of  operationh.  A  recent  report  indicates  consider- 
able success. — 1S59,  p.   64. 

Rev,  J.  C.  Armstrong  was  appointed  to  the  field  of  Northern  Iowa 
some  two  yeai's  ago.  He  has  been  abundantly  successful.  The  good 
■cause  has  prospered  through  his  ministry,  and,  in  addition  to  other 
labors,  he  has  organized  two  churches,  which  sustain  him  without 
aid  from  the  Board. 

Rev.  P.  H.  Crider  is,  by  appoincment  from  the  Board,  laboring  in 
the  same  field.  He  has  shown  himself  "a  w^orkman  that  needeth  not 
to  be  ashamed."  Through  his  instrumentality  churches  have  been 
organized  and  many  added  thereto.  This  is  truly  an  inviting  field, 
and  promises  an  abundant  harvest. — 1858,  p.  58. 

Rev.  A.  H.  Houghton  is  an  itinerant  missionary  in  Northern  Iowa 
and  Southern  Minnesota.  He  is  under  appointment  from  the  Board, 
and  is  doing  good  work. — 1859,  p.  G4. 

(2)  Citij  Missions. — Thia  includes  also  smaller  towns,  provided  the 
Presbyteries  in  whose  bounds  they  were  located  were  auxiliaries  to 
the  Board.  Work  was  done  in  more  than  thirty  cities  and  smaller 
towns,  in  niany  of  which  there  are  to-day  flourishing  churches.  The 
list  of  the  names  of  places  in  which  the  Board  worked  is  included 
in  the  list  printed  (under  (1),  "The  Board  of  Missions,  Located  at 
St.   Louis,  Missouri"),   in  the  following  pages. 

(3)  ll''//7i-  (11110111/  the  IiuHdiis. — Attention  has  already  been  drawn 
to  the  early  work  of  the  Church  among  the  Indians.  In  later  years 
this  work  was  carried  on  through  the  Board. 

(a)  "Work  among  the  Choetaws. — Success  is  attending  every  effort  to 
elevate  and  Christianize  this  nation.  There  is  already  a  membership 
of  some  six  or  seven  hundred,  with  flauering  prospects  for  a  rapid 
increase.  Several  native  born  Choetaws  are  preparing  for  the  min- 
istry, and  giving  indications  of  much  usefulness.  Armstrong  Academy, 
under  the  control  of  the  Board,  is  in  a  flourishing  condition.  Rev. 
W.  K.  Baker  is  the  Superintendent.  This  institution  promises  great 
good   to   this   people. — 1858,   p.    59. 

In  1860,  the  Board  reported  good  success  attending  the  labors  among 
the  Choetaws;  that  Rev.  Geo.  Folsom,  a  native,  was  employed  by  the 
Board  as  an  itinerant  missionary,  and  Rev.  W.  K.  Baker  was  still  Su- 
perintendent of  the  Armstrong  Academy. — 1860,  p.  45. 

The  Lebanon  Board,  in  1S6S,  reported  as  follows: 

Last  Fall  the  Board  furnished  Rev.  T.  A.  Caldwell,  former  mission- 
ary and  teacher  in  the  Nation,  the  means  of  transporting  himself  and 
family  to  the  Nation;   but,  when  near  his  field  of  labor,  he  was  taken 


478  PART  /■/.,  AGENCIES  OF  THE  ASSEMBLY. 

sick  and  died,  leaving  his  family  in  a  dependent  condition.  The  Choc- 
taw Nation  presents  to  the  enterprising  minister  a  most  .inviting  field 
for  usefulness.— 1868,  p.  53. 

(b)  Work  among  the  Chickadaw.s. — An  arrangement  has  been  con- 
summated for  the  establishment  of  a  high  school  in  this  Nation,  under 
the  supervision  of  the  Board.  Rev.  F.  D.  Finer  has  been  elected 
Principal.  Commodious  and  convenient  buildings  are  in  process  of 
erection,  and,  it  is  believed,  before  the  close  of  the  current  year,  the 
school  will  be  in  operation. — 1858,  p.   59. 

In  1859,  the  Board  reported  that  the  school  building  was  completed, 
and  that  the  school  would  be  in  operation  during  the  year.  Rev.  F.  D. 
Finer  had  resigned,  but  the  Board  was  corresponding  lo  secure  a  suc- 
cessor.— 1859,    p.    66. 

The  Board  reported  the  following  in  1860: 

An  arrangement  has  been  consummated  for  tlie  establishing  of  a 
high  school  for  girls  in  this  Nation,  under  the  control  of  the  Board. 
Rev.  R.  S.  Bell,  of  Searcy,  Ark.,  is  Superintendent.  The  Board  look 
to  this  school  with  much  interest,  and  believe  it  will  be  a  powerful 
auxiliary  in  elevating  and  Christianizing  the  Chickasaw  people. — 1860, 
p.   45. 

The  following  appears  in  the  report  of  the  Lebanon  Board,  1868: 
The  Board  has  resumed  its  farmer  relation  to  Burney  Academy,  with- 
out specifying  the  amount  of  aid  to  be  rendered  by  the  Board. — 1868, 
p.   53. 

(/')    T]'c  Torciijit   MissioiKiii/  Work  <i{  tin    lUxird. 

(1)  ITurA'  tnulvrtiikni  in  .\fjicii.-—Kev.  Edmund  Weir  (a  man  of  color) 
is  the  missionary  [to  Cape  Mount,  Africa].  In  his  last  report  he  in- 
forms tha  Board  that  he  has  made  a  sufficient  quantity  of  brick  to 
build  a  good  house  of  worship.  He  has  found  a  number  of  Cumber- 
land Presbyterians  among  the  citizens,  whom  he  expects  soon  to  or- 
ganize into  a  church.  He  anxiously  desires  lielp.  Cannot  some  ar- 
rangement be  made  to  send  two  additional  ministers,  and  thereby  or- 
ganize a  Presbytery  in  that  great  missionary  field?  Who  in  the  Church 
that  owns  a  colored  minister  will  liberate  him  and  place  him  at  the 
disposal  of  the  Board?— 1858,  p.  59. 

The  Assembly  adopted  the   following  concerning  the  above  item: 

Rcsolrrd,  That  it  be  recommended  to  members  of  our  congrega- 
tions who  may  feel  disposed  to  liberate  their  servants  and  send  them 
to  Liberia,  to  direct  their  attention  especially  to  Cape  Mount,  where 
such  manumitted  servants  may  collect  together,  establish  a  Christian 
society,  and  contribute  to  the  prosperity  of  the  mission  established 
there.— 1858,  p.  32. 

In  1859,  the  Board  reported  encouragingly  concerning  this  mission  in 
Africa.— 1859,    p.    66. 


THE  BOARD  OF  MISSIONS.  479 

In  its  report,  in  1800,  the  Board  said,  concerning  its  African  Mission: 

The  missionary  has  been  successful  beyond  the  expectations  of  the 
most  ardent  friends  of  the  mission.  He  has  had  a  gracious  revival  of 
religion,  which  i-esulted  in  the  addition  of  several  members  to  his 
church.  He  has  an  untarnished  character — stands  high  in  the  es- 
timation of  all  who  know  him.  The  Board  are  determined  to  send 
more  laborers  into  this  field,  for  it  is  "white  unto  the  harvest." — 
i860,  p.   45. 

The  Missionary  Committee,  located  at  Alton,  Illinois,  reported  the 
following   in   1S64: 

The  Committee,  through  the  Secretary,  shortly  after  its  organization, 
addressed  a  letter  to  Brother  Weir,  requesting  him  to  answer  it  im- 
mediately; and  in  the  answer  set  forth  the  number  of  his  member- 
ship, the  size  and  condition  of  his  church  edifice,  his  Sabbath  and 
day  schools,  and  anything  else  that  would  go  to  show  the  degree  of 
success  attending  his  labors.  After  waiting  in  vain  for  an  answer, 
and  receiving  letters  from  Brother  Weir  and  his  wife,  calling  for 
aid  and  making  no  mention  of  these  letters,  or  of  Laving  received 
any  of  the  provisions  sent  by  Steamer  Caroline  Stephens,  last  Spring, 
the  Committee  waited  and  did  not  further  risk  money  or  provisions, 
thinking  it  useless  and  unsafe  till  they  learn  something  definite  from 
some  of  the  letters  sent  to  Liberia.  About  a  month  ago,  the  Com- 
mittee received  a  letter  from  the  missionary  announcing  the  safe  ar- 
rival of  the  means  sent  by  the  Stephens,  and  also  the  letter  of  the 
Corresponding  Secretary,  and  in  reply  states  that  their  membership 
in  communion  is  about  twenty-five  or  thirty.  Brother  Weir  has  a 
Sabbath  school  and  a  day  school,  and  is  preaching  in  two  places.  He 
complains  that  he  is  unable  to  do  much  in  the  work  alone,  and  urges 
the  Committee  to  send  other  laborers.  AVe  believe  that  this  is  indis- 
pensable in  order  to  success  in  Liberia.  There  should  be  at  least 
three  ministers  there,  or  enough  to  make  a  Presbytery,  and  then,  if 
they  are  the  right  kind  of  men,  we  ma.y  soon  hope  to  see  our  cause 
begin  to  make  progress  among  those  benighted  people.  The  Com- 
mittee have  opened  correspondence  v/i'ih  several  parties,  in  order  to 
secure  other  missionaries  to  go  to  the  aid  of  Brother  Weir,  in  the 
foreign  field,  and  have  some  hopes  of  success.  It  takes  so  little,  com- 
paratively, to  sustain  a  missionary  in  that  country,  that  your  Com- 
mittee think  that  this  mission  ought  by  all  means  to  be  sustained 
and  fostered  by  the  Church. — 1864,  p.  149. 

The  Board  at  Alton,  in  1866,  reported  the  following:  Our  mis- 
sionary at  this  point  (Liberia)  is  still  holding  on,  and  laboring  as 
best  he  can,  but  it  seems  almost  out  of  the  question  for  him  to  ever 
succeed  alone.  He  has  intimated  more  than  once  in  his  letters  to  the 
Board  that  he  can  do  but  little  by  himself.  We  ought,  therefore,  to 
have  at  least  two  other  men  to  go  to  his  assistance;  and,  unless  we 
get  them,  there  is  danger  that  the  mission  will  finally  fail. 


-480  PART  /'/.,  AUEXCIES  OF  THE  ASSEMBLY. 

The  Board  have  used  Iheir  best  efforts  to  secure  additional  mis- 
sionaries for  this  field,  but  as  yet  have  not  succeeded.  We  would, 
therefore,  earnestly  solicit  the  co-operation  of  the  whole  Church  in 
this  behalf.  It  is  a  waste  of  the  Church's  money  to  try  to  build 
our  cause  in  Liberia  without  more  missionaries.  But  if  the  men 
can  be  had,  there  seems  to  be  no  question  but  that  success  would 
finally  crown  our  efforts  there. — 1866,  pp.  60,  67. 

The  following  is  from  the  report  of  the  Alton  Board  in  1868:  De- 
pressed by  the  lack  of  pecuniary  aid,  and  the  long  intervals  without, 
and  the  irregularity  of  correspondence,  our  missionary.  Rev.  Edmimd 
Weir,  unexpectedly  to  the  Board,  made  his  appearance  at  our  meet- 
ing on  the  first  Wednesday  in  September  last.  After  hearing  his  de- 
tailed statement  respecting  the  condition,  prospects,  and  wants  of  the 
mission  at  Grand  Cape  Mount,  Brother  Weir  was  requested  to  travel, 
as  his  impaired  health  would  permit,  for  a  short  time,  in  behalf  of 
that  mission,  wliich  he  did  with  commendable  success.  Consider- 
ing permanent  success  improbable  in  that  mission,  by  pursuing  the 
policy  heretofore  followed,  regarding  its  entire  abandonment  or  a 
radical  change  in  the  plan  of  its  management  necessary — hoping  that 
the  wisdom  and  prudence  of  the  Assembly  might  be  equal  to  the  task 
of  evolving  some  feasible  solution  of  the  difficulties  with  which  the 
enterprise  is  surrounded,  and  it  being  necessary  for  Brother  Weir  to 
rettiru  in  November  la^t  to  his  family  and  field,  the  Board  requested 
him  to  return  to  the  United  States  this  Spring,  and  remain  for  a  time, 
and  aid  by  his  advice  and  experience  in  devising  and  organizing  the 
best  appliances  to  promote  the  interests  of  that  foreign  mission. 

We  learn  from  Brother  Weir,  who  is  now  with  us,  that  he  left  the 
mission  in  January  last — considering  the  disadvantages  under  which 
it  labors — in  a  hopeful  condition,  looking  to  the  action  of  the  General 
Assembly  to  encourage  and  promote  its  interests  and  permanency, 
by  some  wise  and  positive  agencies  yet  undeveloped. — 1S68,  p.  47. 

The  Assembly  adopted  the  following:  In  view  of  the  existing  con- 
dition of  the  Liberia  Mission,  we  recommend  that  it  be  suspended  for 
the  present,  and  that  the  Board  at  Alton  be  instructed  to  inquire  into 
and  secure  whatever  property  interest  may  pertain  to  it. — 1868,  p.  29. 

(2)  Wor];  iiii(I(  rtnh-rn  in  Tiirkni. — The  Board,  in  1860,  reported  the 
following: 

Rev.  .J.  C.  Armstrong  and  wife  will  sail  in  a  few  days  for  their 
distant  but  promising  field  of  labor.  In  conclusion,  it  is  a  matter  of 
unfeigned  gratitude  to  God,  and  encouragement  to  the  Board,  that 
never  since  their  organization  have  prospects  been  so  fiattering  as  at 
present.  There  has  been  a  general  awakening  of  the  whole  Church. 
The  missionary  spirit,  so  characteristic  of  her  founders,  is  becoming 
extensively  diffused,  and  the  day  Is  not  far  distant  when  the  cause 
will  advance  with  a  majesty  vv'orthy  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian 
Church.— 1860,  pp.  4.5,  46. 


THE  BOARD  OF  MISSIONS.  481 

The  Lebanon  Board,  in  18G6,  reported  in  part  as  follows: 
The  Board  made  a  desperate  erforc  to  sustain  our  foreign  missionary, 
Rev.  J.  C.  Armstrong,  but  failed  in  consequence  of  the  blockade  of 
the  Southern  ports,  the  imi;assable  military  line  between  the  Board 
and  the  northern  portion  of  the  Church  and  the  want  of  means.  He 
was,  therefore,  compelled  to  abandon  the  field  and  return  to  his  home; 
a  circumstance  which  is  deeply  to  be  regretted  in  view  of  the  rich 
harvest  that  he  was  almost  ready  to  reap. — 1866,  p.  55. 

(2)   The   Boai;i>   uk   Mi.ssio.\.s   i.otATEi)   at   Alton,    Illinois. 

The  Civil  War  made  it  impossible  for  the  Board,  located  at  Lebanon, 
Tennessee,  to  prosecute  its  work.  It  could  not  even  make  a  report 
to  the  General  Assembly.  To  meet  this  emergency,  the  General  As- 
sembly adopted   the   following   resolutions: 

A'cso//((/,  That  a  Committee  of  Missions  be  formed  by  this  Assembly 
to  consist  of  F.  Lack,  D.  R.  Bell,  J.  H.  Murphy,  R.  B.  Grossman,  J. 
B.  Logan,  J.  M.  Bene,  .J.  H.  Nickell,  H.  W.  Eagan,  Isham  Finch,  James 
Bellas,  and  G.  W.  Montgomery;  five  of  whom  shall  constitute  a  quorum 
to  transact  business.  Said  Committee  are  to  be  located  at  Alton,  Illi- 
nois, and  are  to  hold  their  first  meeting  on  the  28th  day  of  May,  1863; 
that  they  do,  under  the  direction  of  the  General  Assembly,  take  the 
control  of  all  the  missions  of  our  Church,  which,  in  their  judgment, 
are  worthy  and  need  their  assistance,  and  also  receive  and  give  di- 
rection to  ihe  missionary  funds  of  the  Church  that  may  hereafter  be 
collected. 

h'csolral,  That  said  Committee,  when  organized,  govern  themselves 
according  to  the  constitution  and  by-laws  adopted  by  the  General  As- 
sembly for  the  government  of  the  Board  of  Missions,  as  far  as  ap- 
plicable. 

h'csolnil.  That  all  the  churches.  Presbyteries  and  Synods  be,  and 
they  are  hereby,  urged  to  co-operate  with  said  Committee  in  furnish- 
ing means  to  carry  on  their  work  with  all  that  zeal  and  fervency  which 
the  cause  of  God  and  the  interests  of  the  perishing  millions  around 
them  demand;  and  that  all  moneys  and  documents  in  the  hands  of 
the  Missionary  Committee,  appointed  at  the  last  General  Assembly, 
be  placed  in  the  hands  of  the  new  Committee. — 1863,  p.  91. 

In  its  first  annual  report  this  Committee  said:  Your  Committee  met 
at  the  time  and  place  appointed  by  the  last  General  Assembly,  and 
organized,  by  electing  Rev.  F.  Lack,  President,  Rev.  J.  B.  Logan,  Cor- 
responding Secretary,  iiro  tciii..  and  .1.  H.  Murphy,  Esq.,  Treasurer.  J. 
B.  Logan,  F.  Lack,  R.  B.  Cro:-;sman,  .1.  S.  Bellas,  and  J.  H.  Murphy, 
Esq..  were  appointed  an  Executive  Committee.  The  Committee  de- 
termined to  hold  a  regular  meeting  as  often  as  once  a  month,  which 
they  have  done,  with  a  single  exception,  from  the  time  of  their  ap- 
pointment unto  this.  We  are  happy  to  say  that  the  members  have 
31 


482  J\IRT  /"/.,  AGENCIES  OE  THE  ASSEMBLY. 

generally  taken  a  lively  interest  in  the  subject  of  missions,  and  have 
been,  prompt  and  punctual  in  their  attendance  upon  our  meetings.— 
1864,  p.  145. 

Your  Committee  have  not  been  able  to  obtain  any  official  informa- 
tion from  the  old  Board  since  our  appointment  m  relation  to  anything 
connected  with  its  affairs.  But  a  letter  from  R.  Beard,  U.D.,  a  member 
of  the  Board  at  Lebanon,  Tennessee,  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Committee, 
informed  us  that  there  was  in  the  hands  of  the  Board,  not  distributed, 
about  fifty  dollars  in  current  money,  and  that  they  could  do  nothing 
in  their  official  capacity  as  a  Board  to  further  the  missionary  cause, 
and  expressed  gratification  at  the  appointment  of  another  Committee, 
and  at  their  success  in  the  work.  He  also  stated  that  he  did  not 
think  any  further  report  to  the  (General  Assembly  necessary,  from 
the  fact  that  they  had  nothing  else  of  any  importance  to  report. — 
1864,  p.  147. 

We  would  resi^ectfully  ask  the  General  Assembly  to  authorize  us 
to  procure  a  suitable  charter,  constituting  us  a  legal  Board  of  Missions, 
that  we  may  have  power  to  receive  bequests  and  donations  of  any 
kind  of  propel  .y  to  aid  the  missionary  cause.  We  also  request  that 
instead  of  the  names  of  Rev.  G.  W.  Montgomery,  C.  G.  Keown  and  H. 
W.  Eagan,  appointed  by  the  last  General  Assembly,  as  members  of 
the  Committee,  that  Rev.  F.  Bridgman,  W.  L.  McNama  and  S.  P. 
Greenwood,  be  appointed  as  members. — 1864,  p.  150. 

The  General  Assembly  adopted  the  following:  The  Missionary 
Committee  have  found  it  necessary,  in  order  to  secure  the  financial 
interests  of  the  Church,  to  have  a  charter  incorporating  said  Com- 
mittee into  a  regular  Board  of  Missions,  under  the  style  and  title  of 
"The  Board  of  Foreign  and  Domestic  Missions  of  the  Cumberland  Pres- 
byterian Church."  The  charter  confers  all  necessary  powers  and 
privileges  to  secure  the  interests  of  the  Church.  The  charter  gives  to 
the  General  Assembly  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church  the  ap- 
pointment of  the  members  of  the  Board  of  Missions. 

Your  Committee  recommend  the  following  names  as  suitable  persons 
to  compose  said  Board,  viz.:  J.  B.  Logan,  S.  P.  Greenwood,  I.  Finch, 
F.  Lack,  F.  Bridgman,  D.  R.  Bell,  P.  G.  Rea,  J.  C.  Bowden,  W.  B. 
Farr,  S.  Richards,  H.  W.  Eagan,  R.  S.  Reed. 

We,  therefore,  present  the  following  resolutions: 

I'csdlrcd,  That  the  Assembly  does  hereby  sanction  and  ratify  the 
charter  obtained  by  the  Missionary  Committee  from  the  General  As- 
sembly of  Illinois. 

Required,  That  the  said  J.  B.  Logan,  S.  P.  Greenwood,  and  the  others 
named,  be,  and  they  are  hereby,  appointed  by  this  Assembly  to  com- 
pose the  Board  of  Foreign  and  Domestic  Missions  of  the  Cumberland 
Presbyterian  Church,  according  to  the  provisions  of  the  charter. — 1865, 
p.  185. 


77//;  llOAKI)  OF  MISSIONS.  483 

(3)     TllKKE     BoAUDS    Ol      MlfSSlU.NS    AT    WOKK    AT     ITIE    SAME    TIME. 

In  186G,  the  Board  located  at  Leuanou,  Tennessee,  sent  a  report  to 
the  General  Assembly,  from  which  the  following  excerpt  is  taken: 

The  Board  of  Missions  of  the  Cumberland  Pi'esbyterian  Church,  in 
obedience  to  a  constitutional  requirement,  hereby  present  their  report 
to  the  General  Assembly.  The  last  oiiicial  communication  the  Board 
had  with  the  General  Assembly  was  in  May,  1861,  and  from  that  time 
to  the  present,  tliere  lias  been  none,  because  of  the  Civil  War  which, 
for  four  long  years,  has  deluged  this  once  happy  country  in  blood. 
But  now  that  a  kind  Providence  has  blessed  the  country  with  the  re- 
turn of  peace,  the  Board  take  pleasure  in  complying  with  their  con- 
stitutional  obligations. 

During  the  period  of  blood  and  carnage  referred  to,  the  Southern 
States  were  the  theater  of  the  fierce  and  angry  strife;  and  consequently 
the  Board  v/ere  compelled  to  suspend  operations.  Indeed,  so  awful 
and  absorbing  was  the  combat,  that  nearly  all  the  churches  in  the 
South  were  eiLher  occupied  by  the  militai-y  authorities  of  the  country 
or  closed  as  places  of  public  worship.  The  ministry  wei'e  thereby 
forced  to  cea:-e  their  legitimate  labors,  and"  consequently  the  -flocks 
were  left  v.ithout  shepherds.  The  Board  w^ere  cut  off  from  the 
northern  portion  of  the  Church  by  an  impassable  military  blockade, 
and,  therefore,  they  could  do  nothing  but  v/ait  in  sorrow  and  sad- 
ness until  the  raging  storm  of  passion  and  bloodshed  ceased,  and 
the  sunshine  of  peace  and  prosperity  again  dawned  upon  the  country. 

During  the  fiery  ordeal  referred  to,  the  Board  had  occasional  meet- 
ings, and  at  no  time  have  they  ever  been  in  a  disorganized  condition. 

The  report  of  the  Treasurer  in  1861  showed  a  balance  in  his  hands 
of  12.676.15.  During  the  year  1861-62,  he  received  in  contributions  $1,- 
692.20;  and  during  the  same  time  he  disbursed  $4,149.53,  leaving  in 
his  hands  at  the  time  of  making  the  Board's  annual  report  in  1862 
(which  report  the  Board  could  not  get  to  the  General  Assembly),  a 
balance  of  $218.82. 

In  the  year  1862-63,  the  Board  did  not  receive  a  cent,  but  during  that 
time  $54  v.-ere  disbursed  to  the  missionary  at  Murfreesboro,  Tennes- 
see, leaving  in  the  hands  of  the  Treasurer  $164.82.  This  amount  is 
still  on  hand,  but  it  is  in  uncurrent  funds  and  consequently  almost 
worthless.  The  report  of  the  Treasurer  for  1861-2  and  1862-3  is  here- 
with submitted. — 1866,  pp.  54,  55. 

The  Board,  located  at  Alton,  Illinois,  submitted  a  report,  which 
showed  that  their  work  was  in  a  fairly  prosperous  condition,  and 
that  a  charter  had  been  secured. — 1866,  pp.  60,  61. 

In  view  of  tire  situation,  which  was  the  result  of  the  Civil  War, 
the  Committee  on  ]Missions  submitted  the  following  report,  which  waa 
adopted  by  the  General  Assembly: 


484  PART  r/..  AGENCIES  OE  THE  ASSE^IBLY. 

We  have  examined  the  reports  of  the  two  Boards,  located  at  Alton, 
Illinois,  and  Lebanon,  Tennessee,  and  the  various  other  documents 
referred  to  us  by  this  body.  A  careful  examination  into  all  the  facts 
of  the  case,  makes  it  clear  that  both  these  Boai'ds  are  properly  and 
truly  Boards  of  the  General  Assembly,  and  we  are  satisfied  with  the 
•course  pursued  by  both  of  them.  We  are  of  opinion  that  the  interest 
of  the  whole  Church  can  be  best  subserved  by  continuing  both  Boards, 
for  the  present  at  least.  And  as  we  are  informed  that  the  Pacific 
Synod  has  a  chartered  Board,  located  at  Sonoma,  California,  w^e  think 
it  would  be  better  to  have  this  Board  adopted  by  the  General  Assembly. 
We,  therefore,  submit  the  following  recommendations: 

1st.  That  this  Assembly  order  the  continuance  of  the  two  Boards 
of  Missions,  located  respectively  at  Lebanon,  Tennessee,  and  Alton, 
Illinois. 

2d.  That  the  Assembly  agree  to  take  the  Board,  located  at  Sonoma, 
California,  under  its  care  and  control;  iiraridcil,  that  the  Pacific  Synod 
shall  agree  thereto. 

3d.  That  contributors  be  left  free  to  send  contributions  to  which- 
ever Board  they  may  prefer. 

4th.  That  missions  already  under  the  care  of  either  of  the  Boards 
may,  at  the  request  of  tlie  missionary  and  the  congregations,  be  trans- 
ferred from  one  Board  to  another,  with  the  conk^urrence  of  the  two 
Boards. 

5th.  That  when  a  new  mission  is  to  be  established,  it  shall  be  placed 
under  the  care  of  the  Board,  which  may  be  preferred  by  the  Pres- 
bytery in  the  bounds  of  which  the  mission  is  to  be  located. 

6th.  That  the  Boards  be  allowed  to  co-operate  in  any  mission  or 
missions  at  their  own  discretion. 

7th.  As  to  the  missions  now  under  the  care  of  the  Board  at  Alton, 
including  the  missions  at  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  Burlington,  Iowa,  Peoria, 
111.,  and  the  Liberia  Mission,  formerly  tinder  the  care  of  the  Board 
at  Lebanon,  we  recommend  that  their  management  be  left  to  the 
discretion  of  the  Alton  Board. 

8th.  As  to  the  other  missions  under  the  care  of  the  Lebanon  Board 
(as  we  have  no  information  from  any  of  them,  except  from  the  one 
at  Murfreesboro,  Tennessee,  which  is  said  to  be  self-sustaining,  and 
the  one  at  Chattanooga,  Tennessee,  where  the  liouse  is  said  to  be 
under  repairs  and  ready  for  tise,  and  the  congregation  without  a  min- 
ister and  unable  to  support  one),  we  recommend  that  said  Board  be 
instructed  to  inquire  into  the  condition  of  all  these  missions,  and  to 
report  the  same  to  the  next  General  Assembly;  and,  in  the  mean- 
time, to  bestow  such  funds  as  may  come  into  the  Treasury  w'herever 
they  may  think  best. 

9th.  That  this  Assembly  approve  of  the  report  of  Rev.  J.  C.  Arm- 
strong, as  presented  to  this  body  through  the  Lebanon  Board.  Also, 
that  we  express  regret  at  the  necessity  Avhich  compelled  him  to  leave 


THE  BOARD  OF  MISSIOXS.  485 

Constantinople,  and  a  desire  to  resume  tliat  mission  whenever  it  may 
become  practicable  to  do  so. 

lOth.  That  this  Assembly  call  the  attention  of  the  Church  to 
Houston  and  Galveston,  Texas,  as  very  important  points;  and  advise 
the  Boards  to  send  missionaries  to  these  cities  as  soon  as  practicable, 
and  to  solicit  funds  for  this  especial  purpose. 

11th.  That  the  Assembly  urge  upon  all  the  congregations  of  the 
Church  to  make  monthly  collections  for  missions,  as  tlie  best  plan  for 
raising  missionary  funds. 

12th.  That  the  Assembly  confirm  the  appointment  of  Rev.  J.  M.  Mc- 
Murry  and  W.  H.  Williamson,  to  fill  the  vacancies  in  the  Board  at 
Lebanon,  occasioned  by  the  deaths  of  Dr.  F.  R.  Cossitt  and  Hon. 
Abraham  Caruthers.  Also  that  the  Assembly  confirm  the  appointment: 
of  Rev.  J.  E.  Sharp,  Rev.  R.  H.  Caldwell,  and  Rev.  E.  D.  Pearson  to 
fill  the  vacancies  in  the  Board  at  Alton,  occasioned  by  the  resignations 
of  Rev.  J.  C.  Bowden  and  Rev.  S.  Richards,  and  to  fill  the  place  of 
I.  Finch,  pursuant  to  the  recommendations  of  the  Board. — 1866,  pp.  52- 
54. 

In  compliance  with  the  deliverance  of  the  Genei'al  Assembly,  the 
Pacific  Board  reported  to  the  next  Assembly  the  following: 

The  General  Assembly,  which  convened  at  Owensboro,  Ky.,  in  May, 

1866,  proposed  to  take  the  Pacific  Board  of  Home  Missions  under  its 
supervision,  giving  it  equal  rank  with  the  other  two  Boards,  provided 
Pacific  Synod  should  agree  to  the  same.  Pacific  Synod  convened  in 
the  month  of  October  and  acceded  to  the  Assembly's  proposition,  re- 
serving the  appointing  power  of  the  Board,  the  Assembly  consenting 
to  the  same,  Synod  feeling  that  this,  for  certain  local  reasons,  would 
best  serve  the  interest  of  the  Church.  In  view  of  permanency,  the 
Board  has  studiously  labored  to  systematize  its  work,  that  its  efforts 
may  be  more  effective  in  the  future.  It  is  with  no  small  degree  of 
satisfaction  that  we  are  able  to  report  progress  in  this  department. — 

1867,  p.  37. 

In  1869,  the  three  Boards  were  consolidated,  or  ratiaer  a  new  Board 
displaced  them  all.  Following  is  the  report  of  the  Committee,  in 
which  the  General  Assembly  concurred: 

1.  V\'e  are  of  the  opinion  that  the  interests  of  the  Church  would 
be  much  better  subserved,  and  with  less  expense,  by  having  but 
one  Board,  well  located,  and  composed  of  active  business  men,  who 
are  walling  to  devote  the  necessary  time  therein  for  the  prosperity 
of  the  Church.  It  is  also  our  opinion  that  the  Board  should  be  so 
chartered  that  it  will  have  full  power  to  raise  money,  not  only  to 
sustain  missionaries,  but  also  to  purchase  grounds  and  build  houses 
of  worship,  and  hold  the  same  in  trust  for  said  purposes  until  the 
missions  become  self-sustaining,  at  which  time  the  Board  shall  be 
required  to  convey  the  said  property  to  a  board  of  trustees  of  the 
congregation,  to  be  held  in  trust  by  them  for  the  congregation. 


486  PART  VI.,  AGENCIES  OF  THE  ASSEMISLY. 

2.  Your  Committee  are  further  of  the  opinion  that,  while  all  Pres- 
byteries should  aid  such  weak  but  important  points  iu  their  re- 
spective bounds  as  may  invite  their  labors,  such  local  enterprises 
ought  not  to  prevent  their  sustaining  the  Assembly's  Board  liberally. 
Such  Presbyteries  should  report  to  the  Assembly's  Board  semi-an- 
nually, through  their  proper  officer,  all  funds  contributed  lo  the  mis- 
sion work,  whether  general  or  local. 

3.  We  are  of  the  opinion  that,  although  you  may  not  deem  it  pru- 
dent to  enter  tlie  foreign  field  for  years  to  come,  yet  the  ciiarter  of 
the  new  Board  should  be  styled,  "The  Board  of  Foreign  and  Domestic 
Missions  of  tlie  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Churcn,"  thereby  avoiding 
the  necessity  of  a  change  of  ciiarter  at  sucii  time  as  the  Assembly 
may   decide  to   enter   the   foreign   field. 

4.  Said  charter  should  be  such  as  to  grunt  the  Board  the  power  to 
perform  all  the  functions  and  enjoy  all  the  privileges  common  to  such 
corporations. 

5.  We  suggest  that  the  new  Board  be  located,  for  the  present,  at 
Alton,  Illinois,  and  that  the  Board  act  under  the  charter  of  the  pres- 
ent Board,  located  in  that  city,  until  they  secure  a  charter  from  the 
Legislature  of  the  State  of  Missouri  (which  they  are  hereby  directed 
to  secure  during  the  approaching  session  of  said  Legislature,  \i  at  all 
practicable),  and  when  said  new  charter  is  secured,  the  said  Board 
shall  be  removed  and  located  in  St.  Louis,  Missouri. 

6.  We  suggest  that  the  said  Board  be  composed  of  eleven  members, 
any  seven  of  whom  shall  form  a  quorum  competent  to  transact  busi- 
ness. 

7.  We  suggest  that  the  following  gentlemen  constitute  said  Board, 
namely:  G.  R.  Hines,  Esq.;  Leavenworth  City,  Kan.;  Hon.  E.  B. 
Ewing,  St.  Louis,  Mo.;  J.  P.  McCoy,  Esq.,  Springfield,  111.;  Rev.  J.  B. 
Mitchell,  D.D.,  College  Mound,  Mo.;  Rev.  J.  B.  Logan,  Alton,  111.; 
Rev.  W.  Benton  Farr,  Westport,  Mo.;  Rev.  F.  Lack,  St.  Louis.  Mo.; 
C.  C.  Logan,  Esq.,  St.  Louis,  Mo.;  Rev.  H.  W.  Sagan,  Macon  City,  ' 
Mo.;  A.  W.  Ridings,  Esq.,  Warrensburg,  Mo.;  Rev.  R.  G.  Garden, 
Mount  Zion,  111.;  and  thaj  they  hold  their  fix'st  meeting  on  the  first 
Wednesday  in  July,  1869,  in  the  city  of  Alton,  111.,  and  thereafter  at 
such  times  as  they  may  elect.  At  tlieir  ilr;;t  meeting  Ihey  shall  elect 
their  permanent   officers. 

8.  Lastly,  we  suggest  that  the  present  Boards  be  required  to  wind 
up  their  business  so  as  to  hand  over  to  the  new  Board  all  papers, 
funds,  or  other  assets  pertaining  thereto,  as  early  as  cificially  notified 
by  tlie  new  Board  of  its  organization. — 18(j9,  pp.  2!),  30. 

(4^  The  Boakd  ok  Missioxs  locaiki.  at  St.  Lofis.  Missonn. 

According  to  the  instructions  of  the  General  Assembly  of  1S69,  the 
Board  of  Foreign  and  Domestic  Missions  was  organized,  consisting  of 
eleven  members,   and   was   located   at  St.   Louis.     But  owing  to  some 


THE  BOARD  OF  MISSIONS.  487 

difficulty  in  becuring  a  cliarter  in  Missouri  the  Board  organized  and 
worked  under  the  old  charter  of  the  Alton  Board.  The  Board  held 
its  annual  meetings  in  Illinois  in  order  that  it  might  comply  with 
the  terms  of  its  charter. 

The  General  Assembly  adopted  the  following  rerommendation  of 
the  Committee  on  Missions: 

It  is  believed  that  the  Board  could  hold  regular  meetings  and  ac- 
complish the  work  with  less  difficulty,  if  the  number  of"  members 
on  the  Board  were  reduced,  and  it  is  hereby  recsmmended  that  the 
Board  take  the  necessary  steps  to  secure  such  a  change  in  its  charter 
as  to  reduce  the  number  to  five,  instead  of  twelve,  as  at  present,  and 
to  report  the  result  to  the  next  General  Assembly. — 1878,  p.  17. 

In  compliance  with  the  foregoing  instructions  of  the  General  As- 
sembly, the  Board  took  action  and  subm.itted  the  following  report 
thereon: 

The  matter  of  a  change  of  charter  and  the  reduction  of  ihe  mem- 
bership of  the  Board,  as  recommended  by  the  last  General  Assembly, 
was  considered  at  a  Board  meeting,  July  11,  1878,  at  some  length,  and 
it  was  ordered  that  the  Executive  Committee  at  once  proceed  to  in- 
vestigate as  to  whether  or  not  there  are  any  serious  legal  difficulties 
in  the  way  of  getting  a  new^  charter  in  the  State  of  Missouri,  and  if 
none,  that  they  at  once  take  all  the  preliminary  steps  necessary,  and 
as  soon  as  the  draft  shall  be  ready  for  making  the  application  for 
the  said  charter,  that  a  meeting  of  the  Board  be  called. 

Meeting  of  the  Execttive  Co.\[mittke,  Octohei;  31,  1878. 

Brother  A.  C.  Stewart,  having  been  requested  by  the  Committee, 
in  obedience  to  the  order  of  the  Board  in  July  last,  to  make  a  legal 
investigation  of  the  question  of  a  change  of  charter,  as  recommended 
by  the  last  General  Assembly,  submitted  a  lengthy  report  in  regard  to 
said  change,  and  the  reduction  of  the  membership  of  the  Board,  and 
other  questions  closely  connected  with  them.  After  deliberate  con- 
sideration, it  was  determined  that  the  Committee  take  no  further  steps 
toward  the  change  of  charter,  as  oi'dered  by  the  Board,  btit  refer 
the  whole  qtiestion,  with  the  report  of  Brother  Stewart,  to  the  Board, 
at  a  meeting  which  is  hereby  called  for  Wednesday,  the  6th  iirD.riino. 
The  Secretary  was  instructed  to  give  notice  of  said  meeting  to  the 
members  of  the  Board,  accompanied  by  a  statement  of  the  special 
object  of  said  meeting,  and  urge  all  to  attend:  and  that  he  also  re- 
quest Rev.  F.  Lack  to  be  present  at  said  meeting. 

From  the  above  elaborate  report,  it  appeared: 

1.  That  the  process  of  securing  a  change  of  our  present  chaiter, 
which  is  in  the  State  of  Illinois,  is  a  tedious  one,  but  that  the  dif- 
ficulties are -not  insurmountable. 

2.  That  the  process  of  securing  a  new  charter  in  tho  State  of  Mis- 
sot'.ri,  is  an  easy  and  exiioditious  on3. 


4S.S  J' ART  /'/.,  AGENCIES  OE  THE  ASSEMBLY. 

3.  By  obtaining  a  new  charter,  more  suitable  provisions  could  be 
secured  than  we  have  by  our  present  charter. 

4.  That  in  the  opinion  of  Brother  Stewart  there  are  no  legal  dif- 
ficulties in  the  way  of  securing  a  charter  in  the  State  of  Missouri. 

The  original  draft  of  the  above  report  of  Brother  Stewart  is  present 
at  this  General  Assembly,  and  will  be  submitted,  if  desired,  to  the 
inspection  of  the  Committee  on  Missions,  and  is  in  any  other  way  sub- 
ject to  use  by  the  Assembly. 

BoAiii)    Meeti.xc;    N()Vkmi!i:k    6,    1878. 

The  report  of  A.  C.  Stewart,  which  was  referred  to  the  Board  by 
the  Executive  Committee,  October  31,  was  read  and  considered  at 
length,  when  the  following  resolutions  were  adopted: 

Jicsolrcd,  That  this  Board  now  name  five  men  suitable  to  constitute 
a  Board  of  Missions,  as  per  recommendation  of  General  Assembly  in 
May  last,  and  that  the  Executive  Committee  be  instructed  to  proceed 
to  have  said   Board  incorporated   in   the  State  of  Missouri. 

2.  That  this  present  Board  continue  its  work  and  business  as  here- 
tofore, until  otherwise  ordered  by  the  General  Assembly. 

3.  That  this  Board  report  to  the  next  General  Assembly  the  fact  of 
the  existence  of  the  corporation,  as  provided  in  the  first  of  these  reso- 
lutions, it  being  understood  that  it  is  competent  for  the  General  As- 
sembly to  approve  the  names  of  the  parties  mentioned  in  the  said 
corporation,  or  to  substitute  others  for  them,  and  to  order  the  business 
and  property  of  this  Board  to  be  transferred  to  the  said  new  Board, 
or  to  decline  to  do  so,  as  may  seem  best,  and  that  this  Board  will 
hold  itself  in  readiness  to  comply  cheerfully  with  the  wishes  of  the 
Assembly. 

4.  That  if  the  court  shall  be  of  the  opinion  that  the  corporation 
contemplated  by  the  above  resolutions,  when  the  petition  is  presented 
for  such  incorporation,  be  a  "religious  corporation,"  then  an 
organization  shall  not  be  perfected  under  such  charter,  r.\d  this  Board 
proceed  to  obtain  a  reduction  of  its  members  from  twelve  m  five,  under 
the  laws  of  the  State  of  Illinois. 

The  Board  named  C.  H.  Bell,  D.D.,  and  Rev.  F.  Lack,  of  St.  Louis, 
and  Ruling  Elders  A.  C.  Stewart  and  Dr.  A.  A.  Rowland,  both  of  the 
Lucas  Avenue  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,  St.  Louis,  as  four  of 
the  names  provided  for  in  the  first  of  the  above  resolutions,  and  left 
the  fifth  to  be  selected  by  the  Executive  Committee. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Executive  Committee,  February  20,  1879,  on 
unanimous  recommendation  of  the  four  brethren  above  named,  and 
by  the  unanimous  vote  of  the  members  of  the  Committee  present, 
Brother  Y.  M.  Langdon,  of  the  Lucas  Avenue  CumberJand  Presby- 
terian Church,  St.  Louis,  was  selected  as  the  additional  member  to 
constitute  the.  new  corporation. 


THE  BOARD  OF  MISSIONS.  489 

After  many  weeks  of  diligent  application  and  re-reading  and  amend- 
ing, in  wliich  tlie  Exectitive  Committee  had  the  assistance  of  four  of 
the  brethren  who  were  to  constitute  the  new  corporation,  a  suitable 
and  well  digested  Constitution  and  code  of  By-Laws  were  completed, 
and  an  application  made  for  a  charter  as  directed  by  action  of  the 
Board. 

The  court  decided  that  this  was  not  a  "religious  corporation"  in 
the  sense  in  which  that  term  is  used  in  the  Constitution  of  the  State 
01  Missouri.  The  Constitution  and  By-Laws  were  filed  with  the  court, 
and  an  order  granted  by  the  court  for  the  charter. 

Said  corporation  is,  therefore,  now  ready  to  enter  upon  its  appro- 
priate work,  subject  to  the  order  of  the  General  Assembly. 

Printed  copies  of  the  Constitution  and  By-Laws  are  present  at  this 
meeting,  subject  to  the  investigation  of  any  member  or  committee  of 
the  Assembly.  It  must  be  remembered,  however,  that  this  Constitu- 
tion and  these  By-Laws  are  not  unchangeable,  but  when  any  part  there- 
of may  be  found  not  to  work  well,  it  may  be  changed  by  a  simple 
process. — 1S79,  pp.  45,  46. 

On  this  report  of  the  Board,  the  Committee  on  Missions  submitted 
the  following  recommendation,  which  was  concurred  in  by  the  General 
Assembly: 

The  Board  having,  i-n  pursuance  of  the  instructions  cf  the  last  Gen- 
eral Assembly,  to  reduce  its  number  to  five  members,  deemed  it  best 
to  procure  a  charter  for  a  new  Board  from  the  State  of  Missouri, 
wherein  Rev.  C.  H.  Bell,  D.D.,  and  Rev.  F.  Lack,  and  iMessrs.  A.  C. 
Stewart,  A.  A.  Rowland,  and  Y.  M.  Langdon  are  named  as  charter 
members,  we  recommend  that  you  concur  in  the  some,  and  order 
the  old  Board  to  transfer  all  its  books,  funds,  and  assets  to  said  new 
Board,  and  thereafter  cease  to  exercise  the  functions  for  which  it  was 
created;  yet  to  maintain  its  organization  until  further  orders  from 
the  General  Assembly. — 1879,  p.  23. 

The  old  Board  (Board  of  Foreign  and  Domestic  Missions)  reported 
to  the  General  Assembly  in  1880  as  follows: 

As  per  order  of  the  General  Assembly  of  1879,  this  Board  began 
in  May  last  to  arrange  to  turn  its  business  and  assets  over  to  the 
Board  of  Missions  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church.  In  the 
meantime  the  business  of  this  Board  was  continued  as  previously,  un- 
til arrangements  were  completed  and  the  transfer  made.  No  changes 
were  mac^.e  as  to  plans,  mission-fields,  nor  missionaries  from  those 
presented  in  the  annual  report  to  the  General  Assembly  of  1879. — ■ 
1880,  p.  73. 

The  Board  reported  further: 

As  per  order  of  the  Assembly,  this  Board  continues  its  organization 
as  provided  for  by  the  charter.  The  officers  and  members  are  as 
follows: 

President.  C.   H.   Bell,   St.   Louis.   Mo.;    Vice   President.   C.   C.   Logan, 


490  PART  VI.,  AGEXCIES  OF  THE  ASSEMBLY. 

St.    Louis,    Mo.;    Corresponding   Secretary,    E.    B.    Crisman,    St.    l.,ouis, 
Mo.;   Treasurer,  A.  C.  Stewart,  St.  Louis,  Mo. 

E.  M.  Sloan,  St.  Louis,  Mo.;  A.  A  RoAvland,  St.  Louis,  Mo.;  R.  A. 
Campbell,  St.  Louis,  Mo.;  S.  S.  Chance,  Salem,  111.;  Wm.  Turner, 
Bethalto,  111.;  .J.  H.  Hendrick,  Salem,  111.;  T.  S.  Love,  Irondale,  Mo.; 
T.  H.  Perrin,  Alton,  111. 

At  the  annual  meeting  in  July,  1S79,  Dr.  A.  A.  Rowland,  of  St.  Louis, 
was  elected  to  fill  the  vacancy  caused  by  the  death  of  .J.  B.  Logan,  D.D., 
which  election  the  Assembly  is  asked  to  approve.  Respectfully  sub- 
mitted. C.  II.  Bki.i.,  J'lrxidciiL 

E.    B.    CuisMA.N,    ^ccrvtari). 
—1880,  p.  74. 

The  new  Board  (Board  of  Missions)  prssented  its  first  annual  report 
to  the  General  Assembly  in  ISSf.  From  this  report  the  following 
excerpts  are  taken: 

On  the  24th  day  of  .July,  1S73,  this  Board  received  from  the  Board 
of  Foreign  and  Domestic  Missions  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian 
Church  all  the  books,  property,  and  other  assets,  and  assumed  the 
liabilities  of  said  corporation.  The  assets  consisting  of  $25.21  in  cash 
and  the  balance  in  real  estate,  notes,  and  pledges,  aggregating  as 
set  forth  in  the  contract  with  said  Board,  $42,287.47,  and  liabilities 
amounting  to  $3,233.19. — 1880,  p.  75. 

The  Board  asks  the  attention  of  the  Assembly  to  the  feature  in 
the  report  of  the  Japan  Mission  proposing  a  union  in  work  with  the 
missionaries  of  other  bodies.  The  missionaries  have  been  notified 
that  the  quesiion  of  approval  or  disapproval  of  the  proposed  union 
has  been  referred  to  the  General  Assembly. — 1880,  p.  78. 

[Note. — By  order  of  the  General  Assembly  of  ISo'O  (Minutes,  p.  28), 
a  Board  of  Church  Erection  was  created.  This  Board  was  located 
in  Kansas  City,  Mo.  In  1891,  the  General  Assembly  adopted  the 
following  resolution: 

Rcsolvfd,  That  the  Boards  of  Missions  and  of  Church  Erection  are 
hereby  authorized  to  consolidate  under  such  name,  and  in  such  man- 
ner, as  they  lawfully  can. — 1891,  p.  47.  This  consolidation  was  ac- 
complished by  the  Board  of  Missions'  securing  a  new  ciiarter  and 
changing  its  name,  and  elTecting  a  reorganization. — J.  V.  S.] 

To   the   General   Assembly   of    1892,    the    following   was    repoi'ted: 

By  action  of  the  General  Assembly,  at  Owensboro,  Ky.,  May,  1891, 
the  Board  of  Missions  and  the  Board  of  Church  Erection  were  "au- 
thorized to  consolidate  under  such  name  and  in  such  manner  as  ihey 
lawfully  can." 

In  compliance  with  that  resolution  the  Boai'ds  have  been  consoli- 
dated, by  a  change  of  the  charter  of  the  Board  of  Missions.  The 
number  of  members  composing  the  Board  was  increased  from  five  to 
seven,  and  the  name,  "Board  of  Slissions  of  the  CurrJjerland   Presbv- 


THE  BOARD  OF  MISSIONS.  491 

tei-ian  Church,"  was  changed  to  ■•Ciimbeiiand  Presbyi.erian  Board  of 
Missions  and  Church  Erection."  The  location,  of  course,  remains 
at  St.  Louis,  Mo. — 1892,  pp.  57,  -58. 

ARTK  l.KS     OK     A.SSOl  lAi  ION      <IK     Ac  KKKMK.NT     AS     A.MKXDKi),  1892. 

Name. — Tliis  corporation  sliall  be  called  the  "Cumberland  Presby- 
terian Board  of  Missions  and  Church  Erection." 

Objects. — The  objects  of  this  corporation  are  liereby  declared  to 
be  charitable,  benevolent,  and  edticational;  designed  to  dispense  the 
charities  of  tlie  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  provision  and 
maintenance  of  missions  and  missionaries  in  the  Tnited  States  and 
Territories,  and  in  foreign  lands;  to  assist  and  build  up  weak  and 
destitute  churches,  and  supply  them  with  pastors  and  houses  of  wor- 
ship through  tlie  beneficence  of  the  members  of  the  Cumberland  Pres- 
byterian Church,  and  others  who  may  see  fit  to  donate  money  and 
property  to  this  corporation  for  that  purpose;  to  promote  and  support 
educational  missions  and  schools  in  such  places  as  the  directors  of 
this  corporation  may  designate  and  it  may  receive  donations  to 
sustain. 

Powers. — This  corporation  shall  have  succession  by  its  corporate 
name  for  the  period  of  one  hundred  years  from  and  after  the  date  it 
shall  be  declared  a  body  politic  and  corporate  by  the  order  of  the 
Circuit  Court  of  the  city  of  St.  Louis,  in  tht  State  of  Missouri,  and 
the  power  to  sue  and  be  sued  in  any  court  of  law  or  equity;  to  make 
and  use  a  common  seal  and  alter  the  same  at  pleasure;  to  purchase 
or  receive  by  gift,  grant,  or  devise,  sell,  convey,  and  encumber,  I'eal, 
personal,  and  mixed  property,  provided,  it  shall  not  hold  any  real 
estate  for  a  period  longer  than  six  years,  except  such  as  may  be 
neces-;ary  and  proper  for  carrying  on  its  legitimate  business;  to  ap- 
point stich  subordinate  officers  and  agents,  and  employ  such  preachers, 
ministers,  missionaries,  and  school  teachers;  to  make  such  contracts 
for  building  and  repairing,  and  any  and  all  other  contracts  as  may 
be  necessary,  proper,  or  expedient  in  carrying  out  the  objects  for 
which  it  is  organized;  to  allow  to  its  oflScers,  agents,  and  employees 
a  suitable  compensation  for  their  services;  and  to  make  by-laws  not 
inconsistent  with  existing  law,  for  the  regulation  of  its  affairs,  man- 
agement of  its  property,  and  transaction  of  its  business. 

Memreks. — The  members  of  this  corporation  shall  be  of  four 
classes: 

1.  ('(irjKjnitc  Mem  hers,  who  may  be  clergymen  or  laymen,  members  of 
the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church  in  good  standing,  and  of  whom 
there  sliall  be  seven;  the  present  members  of  the  Board  and  two 
others,  to  be  elected  by  them  after  the  approval  of  this  amendment, 
and  their  successors  as  hereinafter  provided.  The  corporate  members 
alone  shall  have  the  right  of  voting  at  meetings  for  the  election  of 


492  PART  I'L,  AGENCIES  OE  THE  ASSEMULY. 

officers,  and   upon  all   questions  that  may   come  up   before  this   Board 
for  its  avtion,  and  shall  manage  all  the  affairs  of  the  corporation. 

2.  Ciirr( siioiidiiHi  Mcnihcis,  who  may  lje  clergymen  or  laymen  residing 
in  any  part  of  the  United  States  or  in  foreign  lands,  elected  such  by 
the  ballots  of  the  corporate  members,  and  who,  though  it  be  no  part 
of  their  ofTicial  duty,  to  attend  its  meetings  or  to  take  part  in  its 
votes  or  resolutions,  yet,  when  present,  may  assist  in  its  delibera- 
tions by  speaking  to  questions,  communicating  information,  and  in 
other  ways,  enlighten  its  cause,  facilitate  its  operations,  and  promote 
its  objects. 

3.  Hiiiionirn  J/ifc  Mciiihcrx. — Any  person  or  association  of  persons, 
paying  at  one  time  to  the  Treasurer  of  this  corporation  the  sum  of 
thirty  dollars,  shall  be  entitled  to  a  certificate  of  Honorary  Life 
Membership. 

4.  lliniDidrn  Life  nircctoiH. — Any  person,  paying  at  one  time  to  the 
Treasurer  of  this  corporation  the  sum  of  fifty  dollars,  shall  be  en- 
titled to  a  certificate  of  Honorary  Life  Directorship,  and  to  a  seat 
in  the  Board,  when  present  at  its  meetings,  and  to  the  right  of  speak- 
ing, but  not  voting. 

MA.\A(iKME.\T. — The  affairs  of  this  corporation  shall  be  managed 
for  the  first  year  by  C.  H.  Bell,  B.  P.  Fullerton,  Isaac  H.  Orr,  J.  L. 
Secor,  T.  H.  Peirin,  John  C.  Cobb,  and  J.  \V.  Morrow,  and  in  case 
of  the  death  or  resignation  of  any  one  oi  them,  such  vacancy  may 
be  filled  by  the  remaining  corporate  members;  but  ihe  General  As- 
sembly of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church  sliall  have  the  power, 
at  any  time,  by  a  resolution  in  writing,  to  declare  the  place  of  any 
corporate  members  of  this  Board  vacant,  which  shall  thereupon  be 
the  case,  and  may  direct  the  remaining  corporate  members  whom 
to  elect  to  fill  such  vacancy. 

Officers. — The  or..cers  of  this  corporation  shall  be  a  President,  Vice 
Px'esident,  Treasurer,  Auditor,  and  Recording  Secretary,  who  shall 
be  elected  from  the  corporate  members  of  the  Board;  and  a  Super- 
intendent of  Missions,  and  one  or  more  Corresponding  Secretaries, 
who  shall  not  be  corporate  members  while  filling  such  olnce  or  ofiices. 
The  term  of  office  of  each  sha'll  be  fixed  by  by-law,  and  all  officers  shall 
discharge  their  duties  until  their  successors  shall  be  elected  or 
appointed. 

Ei-Uiinn.iTY  TO  Office. — All  the  officers,  managers,  missionaries,  and 
corporate  members  of  this  corporation,  shall  be  members  in  good 
standing  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church. 

Meetixcs. — The  Board  of  Directors  shall  meet  for  the  transaction 
of  business  and  for  the  election  of  officers  at  such  times  as  may  be 
provided  for  by  by-law. 

Desioxated  FrxDS. — All  money  and  other  property  contributed  and 
designated  for  any  particular  missionary  field  or  purpose,  shall  be 
so  appropriated  or  returned  to  the  donors  or  their  legal  representatives.. 


THE  j;OARD  OF  MISSIONS.  49:5 

QroiMir. — Four  of  the  corporate  members  of  the  Boai'd  shall  con- 
stitute a  quorum  for  the  transaction  of  business. 

ArxiLiAKiEs. — Any  missionary  society  may  become  an  auxiliary  to 
this  Board  by  paying  to  the  Treasurer  of  this  corporation  the  whole 
of  its  funds,  and  sending  to  the  Superintendent  of  Missions  or  Cor- 
responding Secretary  a  copy  of  its  constitution  and  annual  reports, 
mentioning  the  names  of  its  missionaries,  and  the  fields  of  their  op- 
eration, together  v.ith  a  full  account  of  the  moneys  and  property  re- 
ceived and  disbursed  by  it. 

Auxiliary  Phivilecks. — Every  auxiliary  society  which  shall  agree 
to  pay  the  whole  of  its  funds  to  this  corporation,  shall  be  entitled  to 
a  missionary  or  missionaries  to  labor  in  such  fields  as  it  may  desig- 
nate, at  least  to  the  amount  of  its  contributions,  provided  such  desig- 
nation be  made  at  the  time  of  payment:  and  the  officers  of  all  such 
auxiliary  societies  shall  be  entitled  to  participate  in  the  deliberations 
of  this  Board,  but  not  to  the  privilege  of  voting. 

Amexdmexts. — No  alteration  or  amendment  of  this  Constitution 
shall  be  made  without  an  affirmative  vote  of  at  least  five  of  the 
corporate  members  at  a  regular  meeting;  nor  unless  the  same  shall 
have  been  proposed  in  writing  at  some  previous  meeting,  and  the 
same,  when  adopted  by  such  affirmative  vote,  shall  be  certified  to 
the  Circuit  Court  as  the  Statutes  of  the  State  of  Missouri  prescribe. 

Kit)  Siiprriiitnidriil.s  (Hid  ('<irn  spundiiifl  S<cn1<ni<s  of  flic  St.  J.niiis 
liuinil. 

(1)  Rev.  R.  S.  Reed  was  Superintendent  and  Corresponding  Sec- 
retary, fi'om  1870  until   his  death,  in   1871. 

(2)  Rev.  J.  B.  Logan,  D.D.,  served  as  Superintendent  and  Corre- 
sponding Secretary,  from  1871  until  1874,  Avlien  he  resigned. — 1874,  p. 
77. 

(3)  Rev.  E.  B.  Crisman,  D.D.,  was  elected  to  this  position  in  1874 
(Minutes,  p.  77),  and  served  about  seven  years.  During  the  year  Dr. 
E.  B.  Crisman,  who,  with  so  much  ability  and  zeal,  has  filled  the 
offices  of  Superintendent  of  Missions  and  Corresponding  Secretary,  re- 
signed.—1881,    p.    48. 

(4)  Mr.  George  E.  Patton  was  elected  to  the  office  of  Correspond- 
ing Secretary;  and  "in  view  of  the  growing  importance  of  establish- 
ing new  missions  in  the  home  field,  and  of  more  systematic  and 
tliorough  development  of  the  Church's  resources.  Rev.  C.  H.  Bell,  D.D., 
the  President  of  the  Board,  at  the  solicitation  of  the  other  members, 
agreed  in  his  official  capacity  to  devote  his  whole  attention,  for  a  time 
at  least,  to  the  general  management  of  mission  work. — 1881,  p. 
48. 

Dr.  Bell  continued  to  act  as  Superintendent  of  the  Board  of  Missions 
for  about  ten  years.  Mr.  Patton  served  as  Corresponding  Secretary 
for  about   three  years. 


494  PART  I'L,  AC^EXCIES  OF  THE  ASSTMT.TY. 

(5)  Mr.  J.  L.  Secor  entered  upon  the  duties  of  Corresponding  Secre- 
tary, in  18S4,  and  served  about  five  years.  "Mr.  J.  L.  Secor,  who  has 
been  Corresponding  Secretary  for  five  years,  felt  constrained  to  retire, 
in  order  that  he  might  devote  all  his  time  to  his  professional  duties." 
—1889,  p.  58. 

(6)  Rev.  J.  V.  Stephens  was  called  from  the  pastorate  at  Chatta- 
nooga, to  the  position  of  Corresponding  Secretary.  He  entered  upon 
his  duties  the  lirst  of  January. — 1889,  p.  58.  The  office  duties  de- 
manded so  much  of  his  time,  that  it  was  impossible  for  Mr. 
Stephens  to  give  the  attention  to  the  field  at  large,  which,  in  his  judg- 
ment, the  work  demanded.  This  led  to  his  resignation.  '-Rev.  J.  V. 
Stephens,  the  efficient  Corresponding  Secretary,  resigned,  much  to 
the  regret  ol  the  Board  and  the  friends  of  the  work."— 1 802,  p.  57. 

(7)  Rev.  J.  H.  Miller,  of  Evansville,  lud.,  was  chosen,  to  fill  th^e 
vacancy  made  by  the  resignation  of  Mr.  Stephens,  and  entered  upon 
the  duties  of  his  oflice  August  1,  1891.— 1892,  p.  57.  The  Board  of  Mis- 
sions and  the  Board  of  Church  Erection  weve  consolidated  by  the 
order  of  the  General  Assembly  of  1891.  "One  of  the  conditions  that 
was  the  basis  of  consolidation  was  the  retaining  of  the  two  Corre- 
sponding Secretaries  then  employed  by  the  two  Boards  respectively— 
Rev.  J.  H.  Miller,  on  the  part  of  the  Board  of  Mission.^,  and  Rev.  S. 
Finis  King  on  the  part  of  the  Board  of  Church  Erection. — 1892,  p. 
58. 

(8)  The  Board  of  Missions  and  Church  Erection  (the  consolidated 
Board),  in  its  report  for  1393,  said:  "Rev.  J.  H.  Miller  has  been  em- 
ployed as  the  Superintendent  of  Missions  arid  Church  Erection,  and 
Rev.  S.  Finis  King  as  the  Corresponding  Secretary.  Mr.  King,  who' 
has  faithfully  served  us  in  this  position,  has  recently  resigned,  and 
Mr.  W.  J.  Brasfield,  of  Marshall  Mo.,  has  been  elected  to  fill  the 
vacancy." — 1893,  p.  51.  Mr.  Brasfield  continues  at  this  date  (1899)  to 
fill  the  office  of  Corresponding  Secretary.  Rev.  .J.  H.  Miller,  who 
served  so  faithfully  as  Superintendent,  and  whose  impress  for  good 
has  been  left  upon  the  Church,  felt  constrained  to  retire. — 1894,  pp. 
69,    70. 

(9)  Rev.  J.  W.  Laughlin,  Springfield,  Mo.,  was  elected  to  fill  the 
office  of  Superintendent,  and  entered  upon  his  duties  March  1st,  1894.— 
1894,  p.  70.  Mr.  Laughlin  is  still  (1S99)  Superintendent  of  the  Board  of 
Missions  and   Church  Erection. 

(^)    '/'/((■  MissiniKirii  Kcronl. 

The  Board  authorized  the  Executive  Committee  to  begin  the  pub- 
lication of  a  missionary  monthly  for  gratuitous  distribution.  The  first 
number  was  issued  in  December.  Its  publication  was  then  stispended 
for  three  months  by  the  sickness  of  the  Corresponding  Secretary.  It 
was  then  found  that  the  po.=;toffice  regulations  would  not  allow  of  its 


THE  BOARD  OD  MISSIOXS.  495 

being  mailed  to  any  save  Jkuki  lidr  subscribers,  excepr  at  "transient" 
rates,  and  these  were  so  increased  by  the  amendment  of  the  recent 
Congress,  as  to  put  the  expense  of  postage  on  the  monthly  entirely 
beyond  our  reach.  So  its  publication  has  not  been  re:<umed.^l87.j,  p. 
55. 

The  publication  of  the  MiKxhinarii  Rccnrd  seems  to  have  given  un- 
usual satisfaction  to  the  Church  throughout  its  whole  bounds.  It  has 
proved  to  be  a  valuable  means  of  stimulating  and  promoting  the 
missionary  work  of  the  whole  Church.  Our  plan  has  been  to  send  it 
free  for  one  year  to  any  party  who  may  contribute  as  much  as  one 
dollar  to  our  Board,  or  to  any  missionary  work  under  its  care.  Thus 
it  is  the  paper  of  the  missions  of  Presbyteries  and  Synods,  as  much 
as  of  our  Board  and  is  used  for  promoting  ail  alike. 

We  now  issue  ten  thousand  five  hundred  copies  of  the  little  paper 
monthly,  at  a  to'ial  cost,  including  postage,  of  about  $'.'0  per  month. — ■ 
1876,  p.  60. 

The  publication  of  tliis  monthly  was  begun  by  the  Board  nearly 
four  years  ago,  for  gratuitous  distribution.  As  such  it  has  been  con- 
tinued until  recently,  with  the  hearty  approval  and  sanction  of  the 
General  Assembly.  The  object  being  to  disseminate  information  about 
the  work,  and  to  gain  sympathy  and  co-operation  for  it,  it  was  thought 
that  the  money  and  labor  expended  upon  it  were  well  and  profitably 
used.  Its  cost  was  regarded  by  the  Beard  and,  it  is  supposed,  re- 
garded by  the  Church,  as  an  expenditure  of  missionary  money  for 
missionary  purposes,  and  therefore  was  in  this  particular  to  be 
classed  with  money  paid  to  a  missionary  or  an  evangelist.  It  was 
never  classed  nor  regarded  as  a  part  of  the  expense  account  of  the 
Board. 

It  is. well  to  state,  however,  that  as  the  RciDid  was  sent  one  year 
gratuitously  to  any  party  who  contributed  one  dollar  to  the  cause, 
doubtless  it  brought  in  many  dollars,  which  otherwise  would  not 
have  come — how  many,  of  course,  we  cannot  tell.  Also,  that  as  the 
Record  contained  from  month  to  month  the"  details  cZ  the  receipts  by 
the  Board,  it  saved  a  considerable  outlay  of  money  for  publishing 
these  details  in  some  other  shape. 

A  few  months  past,  however,  the  Board  determined  that  it  was  not 
well  to  continue  the  publication  of  the  J'cronI  for  gratuitous  circula- 
tion, and  ordered  that  as  rapidly  as  the  contracts  with  subscribers 
under  the  previous  terms  should  expire,  it  should  become  exclusively 
a  subscription  journal.  This  change  will  doubtless,  for  a  short  time 
at  the  least,  reduce  the  list  to  a  very  small  number. 

Eut  it  is  thought  that  as  the  friends  of  the  cause  shall  become 
familiar  with  the  change,  the  list  will  be  made  of  respectable  size. 
In  any  event  it  is  believed  that  what  can  be  secured  from  subscrip- 
tions and  advertisements  will  meet  the  actual  outlay  incident  to 
its  publication,  and  that  the  Board  will   secure  the  publication  of  the 


496  PART  VI.,  AGENCIES  OE  THE  ASSEMBLY .' 

details  of  annual  receipts  and  all  otlier  advantages  of  the  lUvonl  free 
of  expense. — 1879,  pp.  47,  48. 

Soon  after  tiiis  Board  looli  charge  of  the  work  the  experiment  was 
made  of  doubling  the  size  of  the  Mi><xiuuarjj  Rivord,  and  as  it  seemed 
to  be  paying  its  expenses,  its  enlarged  size  has  been  continued. 

Paid  out  for  the  Record  during  ihe  year,  $579.73;  received,  $4G8.85; 
cost  above  receipts,  $110.88. 

When  it  is  considered  that  ai  the  beginning  of  the  year  the  paper 
had  to  fill  out  the  time  of  a  large  list  of  unexpired  free  subscribers, 
and  that  some  6,000  extra  copies  have  been  used  to  supply  the  place 
of  circulars  which  would  otherwise  have  been  sent  by  mail,  it  can 
readily  be  seen  that  the  paper  has  really  much  more  than  paid  its 
way.  Besides,  the  Ii'ccoril  saves  the  Board  the  expense  of  publish- 
ing its  current  receipts  and  annual  reports  in  another  form.  This 
being  the  first  year  as  a  subscription  paper,  it  is  thought  that  the 
Record  will  easily  pay  its  own  bills  in  future. — 1880,  p.  77. 

In  July,  1889,  under  tiie  editorial  management  of  Rev.  J.  V.  Stephens, 
the  M i.ssiondiij  Record  was  changed  into  the  form  of  a  32-page  monthly 
magazine.  It  has  been  continued  in  that  form  to  the  present  time. 
The  price  for  a  single  copy  was  fixed  at  60  cents;  in  clubs  of  five  or 
more  50  cents  each.  In  1898,  the  General  Assembly  adopted  the  fol- 
lowing recommendation:  We  recommend  that  the  Board  of  Missions 
reduce  the  subscription  price  of  the  Mi-^sioinnii  h'econt  to  twenty-five 
cents,  and  ten  cents  to  clubs  of  twenty-live  or  more,  and  that,  if  this 
shall  cause  a  deficit,  one-half  of  such  deficit  shall  be  borne  by  the 
Woman's  Board. — 1898,  p.  83. 

((•)    lloiiic  MlssUiiiiiiji   Worl-  itiidi  r  llic  SI.   Lnuis  llmird. 

The  Home  Mission  Work  of  this  Board  falls  under  six  divisions, 
viz.:  Church  Erection,  Evangelistic,  City  Missions,  Synodical  Missions, 
Indian  Missions,  and  Work  for  the  Colored  People.  Space  permits  but 
little  more  than  a  mere  mention  of  these  various  enterprises. 

(1)  Church  Erection. — It  was  made  the  duty  of  the  Board  to  create 
a  Church  Erection  Fund.  In  1886,  the  Board  reported  the  following: 
The  agent  appointed  by  your  Board,  agreeable  to  your  insti'uctions, 
to  canvass  among  the  churches  and  solicit  offerings  for  the  Church 
Erection  Fund,  has  been  in  the  field  a  great  part  of  the  time  since 
October  15,  1885.  Special  effort  has  been  made  to  enlist  wealthy  mem- 
bers, and  aged  people  without  heirs,  to  bequeath  or  donate  liberal 
sums  for  this  enterprise,  and  some  very  liberal  things  in  this  direction 
have  been  promised. — 1886,  p.  85. 

The  General  Assembly  of  1887  adopted  the  following  recommenda- 
tion: In  respect  to  the  Church  Erection  Fund,  we  recommend  that 
an  earnest  effort  be  made  on  the  part  of  the  churches  to  greatly  in- 
creare  this  Fund,   so  rs  to  be  able  to  do  the  work  expected   of  us  in 


THE  BOARD  OF  MISSIONS.  '      497 

extending  our  denominational  inlluence  in  tlie  centers  of  power  and 
population  in  tliis  country.  This  is  a  matter  of  very  grave  importance, 
and  our  pastors  should  so  emphasize  it  before  their  people.  Individual 
offerings  and  church  collections  should  be  taken  for  this  good  pur- 
pose and  sent  to  the  Board.  We  recommend  that  you  hereby  urge  the 
Board  to  employ  a  suitable  agent  at  the  earliest  day  possible. — 1887, 
p.  27. 

In  its  report  to  the  next  General  Assembly  the  Board  said:  Pur- 
suant to  the  recommendation  of  the  last  General  Assembly,  an  agent 
has  been  placed  in  charge  of  this  interest,  Rev.  F.  P.  Flaniken,  who 
attested  his  appreciation  of  its  importance  by  vacating  a  pastorate 
in  the  city  of  Nashville,  Tenu.,  in  order  to  devote  his  time  and  ener- 
gies in  gathering  the  desired  Fund.  lie  did  not  enter  actively  upon 
the  work  until  February.  The  first  fruits  of  his  labors  warrant  the 
belief  that  liberal  things  may  be  expected  in  the  future.  Efficient 
church  officers,  including  pastors,  can  very  effectively  smooth  the  way 
of  the  Agent  and  hasten  the  completion  of  his  work. — 1888,  p.  54. 

In  1889,  the  Board  reported  as  follows:  '  This  interest  has  been 
pressed  during  the  year  as  never  before.  Rev.  F.  P.  Flaniken,  as  an 
Agent  for  Church  Erection,  has  been  actively  in  the  field,  and  Rev. 
Vv.  G.  Leonard  began  v;ork  in  this  interest  in  the  Fall  and  continued 
until  the  last  of  April.  An  examination  of  the  financial  exhibit,  given 
farther  on,  will  shov^  that  the  Church  has  taken  an  unusual  interest 
in  this  department.  It  is  hoped  that  this  well  begun  work  may  go 
OH  until  such  a  Fund  shall  be  realized  that  it  will  be  in  the  power 
of  the  Board  to  extend  aid  to  scores  of  struggling  congregations,  try- 
ing to  build  houses  of  worship.  The  last  General  Assembly  instructed 
the  Board  to  submit  to  this  General  Assembly,  if  in  their  judgment' 
it  is  deemed  wise,  a  plan  for  a  new  Board,  to  be  known  as  the  Board 
of  Church  Extension,  to  whom  shall  be  committed  the  whole  of  the 
work  in  the  home  field,  mcluding  Church  Erection.  After  due  con- 
sideration it  was  thought  best  not  to  recommend  the  creation  of  a 
new  Board,  at  least  for  the  present.  Such  an  action  would  largely 
increase  the  expense  of  administration:  hence  it  was  deemed  better 
to  increase  the  official  force  of  the  Board  of  Missions,  and  so  push 
all  departments  from  one  office,  thereby  saving  as  much  expense  as 
possible  while  the  aggregate  offerings  are  no  larger  than  they  are. — 
1889,  p.  58. 

In  1890,  the  Board  reported  a  Church  Erection  Fund  of  $14,390.07, 
of  which  the  sum  of  $8,577.93  was  loaned  to  weak  churches,  without 
interest.— 1890,  p.  GG. 

This  General  Assembly  adopted   the  following  recommendation: 

Having  duly  considered  the  resolution  offered  by  the  Itev.  .1.  H.  Hub- 

bert,  that  a  Board  of  Church  Erection  be  established,  we  recommend 

that   said    Board    be   established,    and    that    the    Board    consist    of    the 

following  members:     The  Rev,  B.  P.  Fullerton,  the  Rev.  J.  W.  Morrow, 

.^2 


498  PART  VI.,  AGENCIES  OF  THE  ASSEMBLY. 

and  L.  A.  Goodmau  of  Kansas  City,  Missouri,  and  J.  C.  Cobb,  of 
Odessa,  Missouri,  and  G.  S.  Upton,  of  Union,  Nebraska. — 1S90,  p.  28. 

The  Board  of  Church  Erection,  the  next  year,  reported  that  the 
receipts  aggregated  $3,085,34,  with  expenses  to  the  amount  of  $1,753.77. 
—1891,  p.  S9. 

The   General  Assembly   adopted  the   following: 

I'csohcd,  That  the  Boards  of  Missions  and  Church  Erection  are  here- 
by authorized  to  consolidate  under  such  name,  and  lu  such  manner, 
as  they  lawfully  can.— 1891,  p.  47. 

The  tv/o  Bocirds  were  accordingly  consolidated  under  the  name 
"Board  of  Missions  and  Church  Erection"  (.Minutes  1892,  pp.  57,  58), 
and  since  that  time  the  work  of  Church  Erection  has  been  conducted 
by  the  Board  of  Missions,  as  was  done  before  the  creation  of  a 
Board  of  Church  Erection. 

(2)  Eraiincli^lic- — The  St.  Louis  Board  employed  evangelists,  occa- 
sionally, to  visit  the  weak  Synods  in  order  to  strengthen  the  churches. 

(3)  Citi/  Mis.'i^uu'i. — This  has  been  the  chief  strength  of  the  home 
missionary  work  of  the  Board.  The  history  of  its  home  missionary 
operations  would  fill  a  small  volume. 

Following  is  a  list  of  the  names  of  many  of  the  cities  and  towns 
in  which  home  missionary  work  has  been  done.  Thi..  list  includes  a 
number  of  places  assisted  by  the  Board  located  at  Lebanon.  Tennes- 
see, before  the  Civil  War. 

Alabama. — Bessemer,  Birmingham,  Sheffield. 

Arkansas. — Fort  Smith,  Helena,  Little  Rock. 

California. — Ilanford,  Los  Angeles,  San  Diego,   Stockton. 

Colorado. — Colorado  Springs,   Denver,  Pueblo. 

Georgia. — Atlanta. 

Illinois. — Alton,  Atlanta,  Chicago,  Danville,  Decatur,  .lerseyville, 
Macomb,  Mattoon,  Peoria,  Springfield,  Weuona. 

Indiana. — Evansville,  Lcgansport,  Vincennes. 

Iowa. — Burlington,  Charlton,  Colesburg.  Nevada,  Oskaloosa,  Waukon. 

Kansas. — Cherryvale,  Derniot,  Fredonia,   Garden  City,   Leavenworth,  v 
Leoti,   Scott  City,  Topeka,  Wellington. 

Kentucky. — Bowling  Green,   Henderson,   Louisville,   Paducah. 

Minnesota. — St.  Cloud. 

Mississippi. — Meridian. 

Missouri. — Carthage,  Kansas  City,  Macon,  Pierce  City,  Sedalia,  St. 
Joseph,  St.  Louis,  St.  Louis  First  German.  St.  l^ouis  Second  German, 
St.  Louis,  Raymond  Place. 

Ohio. — Beverly,   Cincinnati,  Columbus. 

Oregon. — Eugene,  Portland,  Salem. 

Pennsylvania. — Charleroi,    Philadelphia,    Pittsburg,    Washington. 

Tennessee.— Chattanooga,  Clarksville,  Jackson,  Knoxville,  Memphis 
Second,   Memphis   Third,    Murfreesboro,   Nashville,    Shelbyville. 


THE  BOARD  OF  MISSIONS.  499 

Texas. — Abileue,   Ausliu,    Colorado,     Denison,    Jefferson,    McKinney, 
Sau  Antonio,  Texarkana,  Tyler,  Waco. 
Washington. — Seattle,  Walla  Walla. 

(4)  SDHodivcil  Jlissidiis. — For  years  the  Board  assisted  some  of  the 
weaker  Synods,  but  in  recent  years  a  more  systematic  and  energetic 
method  has  been  purbued.  At  this  vime  nearly  every  Synod  has  an 
organization  for  pushing  its  work,  and  in  this  the  Board  co-operates. 

(.5)  Iiiiliuii  Woik. — The  St.  Louis  Board,  through  its  entire  history, 
has  worked  among  the  American  Indians.  Effective  work  has  been 
done  in  the  Cherokee,  Chickasaw,   and  Choctaw  Nations. 

(6)  Wurk  fur  IJic  Culural  People. — The  Board  has  never  projected 
anything  on  a  large  scale  for  the  colored  people;  yet  it  has  spent  a 
considerable  sum  of  money  in  educational  work  for  this  class. 

((/)   Foic'njii  Mission   Work  inidcr  the  St.  J^oiiis  Jloanl. 

In  ISTO  the  Board,  in  its  report  to  the  General  Assembly,  said: 
It  is  the  opinion  of  this  Board  that  the  time  has  come  v,'lien  you 
should  at  least  begin  to  lay  plans  and  devise  the  means  for  active  ef- 
forts in  re-occupying  the  foreign  field.  The  providence  of  God  seems, 
in  the  judgment  of  your  Board,  to  be  calling  upon  you  to  consider 
your  obligation.s  to  the  millions  who  are  without  the  Gospel.  You 
are  aware  of  the  fact  that  multiplied  thousands  of  poor,  benighted 
heathen  are  annually  passing  away  without  the  Gospel  of  Christ.  Will 
our  skirts  be  clear  of  their  blood?  Can  we  meet  them  in  the  judg- 
ment day,  feeling  that  we  have  done  all  that  v,e  could  for  their  sal- 
vation? Circumstances,  over  which  we  as  a  Church  had  no  control, 
may.  for  the  last  few  years,  have  justified  our  want  of  elTort  in  this 
direction;  but  it  is  the  mind  of  your  Board  that  such  may  not  now 
be  pleaded  by  you  as  a  reason  for  entire  inaction.  We  must  awake 
to  this  responsibility,  and  devise  means  to  re-enter  this  "field  already 
white  unto  the  harvest,"  at  the  earliest  practicable  date. — 1870,  p.  42. 
The  Board  is  deeply  sensible  of  the  great  importance  of  missionary 
work  among  the  heathen.  We  believe  that  every  Christian  man  and 
Church  are  bound  to  do  all  in  their  power  to  send  the  Gospel  to  the 
ends  of  the  earth.  The  Board  is  the  servant  of  the  General  Assem- 
bly and  of  the  entire  Church,  and  will  faithfully  endeavor  to  carry 
out  the  desires  of  the  Church  on  this  great  question,  as  these  may  be 
indicated  to  it  through  the  General  As:=embly.  A  respectable  portion 
of  our  Church  has  expressed  a  strong  anxiety  that  we  begin  this  work 
immediately.  Prominent  among  those  expressing  this  desire  is  the 
Synod  of  Pennsylvania,  which  body  has  recommended  to  the  Board 
a  licentiate  under  the  care  of  the  Presbytery  of  Pennsylvania  who  is 
now  a  student  at  Andover  Theological  Seminary,  c;  a  suitable  man, 
both  ready  and  anxious  to  enter  the  work  of  Fovcijrn  Missions,  under 


500  PART  VI.,  AGENCIES  OF  THE  ASSEJ/BLV. 

the  direction  of  this  Board,  as  soon  as  his  tlaeological  course  shall  be 
finished,  and  they  pledge  themselves  as  ready  to  sustain  such  mis- 
sionary work  with  their  means  and  influence.  The  Board  does  not 
feel  prepared  to  take  decisive  action  in  so  important  a  matter  with- 
out the  counsel  of  the  General  Assembly. — 1871,  p.  47. 

In  reference  to  the  foregoing,  the  Committee  on  Missions  made  the 
following  recommendation,  which  was  adopted: 

The  question  of  Foreign  Missions  is  rising  with  increasing  interest 
before  the  minds  and  in  the  hearts  of  many  of  your  people.  A  young 
brother  of  the  Synod  of  Pennsylvania  is  consecrating  himself  to  this 
work,  and  is  now  offering  himself  to  the  Board,  and  asks  to  be  sent 
to  bear  the  glad  tidings  of  salvation  to  poor,  dying  sinners  in  heathen 
lands;  but,  owing  to  our  want  of  means,  we  are  not  prepared  to 
recommend  such  decisive  action  on  this  subject  as  we  would  other- 
wise be  pleased  to  do. 

Your  Committee  ask  that  the  Assembly  instruct  the  Board  of  Mis- 
sions to  ascertain  if  possible  the  best  method  of  encering  upon  the 
work  of  Foreign  Missions,  proceed  to  raise  means  for  that  purpose, 
and  report  to  the  next  Assembly.— 1871,  pp.  28,  29. 

The  Board,  in  1872,  reported  as  follows:  Acting  under  the  instruc- 
tions of  the  last  General  Assembly,  the  Board  opened  correspondence 
with  persons  in  different  parts  of  the  world,  in  order  to  elicit  in- 
formation to  guide  them  in  selecting  the  most  practicable  and  useful 
field  in  which  to  enter  the  work  of  Foreign  Missions.  We  have  cor- 
responded with  Rev.  Dr.  Prime,  of  New  York  City  (who  recently 
traveled  around  the  globe,  and  is,  perhaps,  as  well  advised  as  to  the 
best  field  for  mission  work  as  any  other  one  man),  the  Evangelical 
Union  of  Scotland,  Rev.  Dr.  Riley,  of  the  City  of  Mexico,  a  missionary 
of  the  American  and  Foreign  Christian  Union,  and  with  a  Mr.  Mc- 
Girk, M.D.,  formerly  of  Missouri,  but  now  of  Port  ol  Spain,  Island 
of  Trinidad,  West  Indies,  who  is  a  Cumberland  Presbyterian,  and 
seemingly  a  reliable  and  intelligent  man. 

Rev.  Dr.  Prime,  after  summing  up  the  whole  knowledge  he  has  of 
all  the  fields  of  heathen  lands,  recommended  Japan  as  the  most  ac- 
cessible and  least  occupied  by  Christian  Chui'ches,  and,  but  for  the 
strange  and  seemingly  paradoxical  position  of  the  Japanese  Govern- 
ment against  Christianity,  he  says  the  people  throughout  the  empire 
are  eager  to  learn  Christianity.  He  also  says  the  language  is  far  less 
difficult  to  master  than  most  Asiatic  languages,  while  there  is  noth- 
ing in  the  characteristics  of  the  people  adverse  to  the  Christian  re- 
ligion, but  what  a  prudent  and  intelligent  missionary  could  more 
speedily  overcome  than  those  of  most  other  heathen  nations.  He 
says,  also,  that  he  knows  no  other  heathen  people  destined  to  occupy, 
in  the  future,  a  more  active  and  important  position  in  the  history 
of  the  world  than  the  Japanese.  This  view  is  corroborated  by  other 
intelligent  and   reliable   sources  of  information.     It   is   the   opinion   of 


Till-:  JiOAKD  OF  MISSIONS.  501 

the  Board  that  the  Government  of  Japan  is  bound  to  modify  or 
repeal  their  oppressive  laws  against  Christianity  soon;  that  the  course 
pursued  in  seeking  intelligent  and  skilled  Americans  and  Protestant 
Christian  men  and  women  to  go  to  that  country  to  lead  their  people 
in  learning  the  arts  and  sciences — to  lead  their  institutions  of  learning, 
and,  also,  sending  their  young  men  and  women  to  this  country  to 
be  educated,  must  work  a  change  in  the  views  and  feelings  of  the 
Japanese  Government,  in  favor  of  our  religion  as  well  as  our  civiliza- 
tion. It  is  more  than  probable  that  their  oppressive  laws  were  pro- 
voked by  and  enacted  against  the  Jesuits,  who,  as  usual,  preceded 
Protestants  in  their  missionary  work  in  that  country;  and  as  soon 
as  the  Japanese  learn  to  distinguish  between  Romanism  and  Protest- 
antism, that  their  views  and  feelings  will  change  for  the  better,  in 
relation  to  their  treatment  of  Christian  missionaries.  Dr.  Prime  also 
adds,  that  as  far  as  experience  has  gone,  missionaries  are  more 
healthy,  and  the  climate  admits  of  more  outdoor  labor  than  most 
heathen  lands  in  Asia,  while  the  cost  of  living  does  not  exceed  that 
of   India. 

We  have  also  learned  from  our  correspondence,  and  from  the 
American  and  Foreign  Christian  Union,  that  the  whole  of  Mexico  is 
accessible  to  missionaries.  The  Presbyterian  Board  has  a  mission- 
ary in  that  country  doing  a  good  work,  and  speaks  of  sending  more; 
while  the  Christian  Union  speaks  in  glowing  terms  of  the  great  work 
carried  forward  by  Rev.  Dr.  Riley,  Miss  Rankin,  and  others.  Scores 
of  towns  are  urgent  for  Protestant  preaching,  and  almost  the  entire 
population  seem,  to  be  ready  and  anxious  to  throw  ofl'  the  Roman  yoke 
and  embrace  Protestantism.  Without  doubt,  here  is  a  wide  field  and 
an  open  door. 

Again,  Mr.  McGirk,  from  the  Island  of  Trinidad,  urges  us  to  send 
one  or  more  missionaries  there.  He  says  the  cities  of  all  the  West 
Indies,  while  nominally  Catholic,  are  really  heathen  ground,  and  re- 
quests that  the  Board  of  Missions  send  one  or  tv/o  missionaries  to 
the  Island  of  Trinidad.  There  are  remnants  of  some  Scotch  and 
English  Protestant  Churches  on  that  Island,  with  one  or  two  good 
preachers,  who  speak  Spanish  fluently,  as  well  as  English,  to  whom 
he  has  shown  our  Confession  of  Faitli,  and  they,  the  whole  body,  could 
be  brought  over  to  our  Church.  His  last  letter  is  accompanied  with 
a  letter  from  one  of  those  preachers,  Rev.  Mr.  Brodie,  Avho  also  urges 
us  to  make  that  our  field.  He  has  been  there  seventeen  years,  and 
is  certainly  well  educated,  and  a  man  of  excellent  Christian  spirit. 
Mr.  McGirk  thinks  there  would  be  but  little  means  needed  to  sustain 
a  preacher  there,  after  his  arrival  on  the  gTound.  He  also  says  that 
the  whole  of  South  America  is  open  to  the  Gospel  by  Protestants,  as 
never  before. 

Indeed,  there  is  no  lack  of  fields;  the  greatest  trouble  is  to  select 
from  among  the   almost   boundless  territories  of  the  world,   that    field 


502  PART  /■/.,  AGENCIES  OF  TJIE  ASSEJIULY. 

in  which  we,  as  a  people  uuder  God,  can  do  moat  for  the  Maater.  This 
has  been  ci  subject  over  whicii  we  have  thouglit  and  prayed  much,  and 
while  we  do  not  feel  yet  as  decided  as  we  could  wiah,  we  are  in- 
clined to  recommend  Japan,  and  the  Island  of  Trinidad,  West  In- 
dies, as,  perhaps,  under  all  the  circumstances,  the  most  inviting  and 
promising  fields  for  us,  as  a  people,  to  occupy.  We  would  most 
earnestly  call  the  attention  of  the  General  Assembly  to  these  points, 
as  well  as  to  the  whole  subject  of  Foreign  Missions. — 1S72,  pp.  37,  38. 

(1)  TJit  Island  of  Trijiidail  sclvdcd  (/■•<  a  foiciyit  iiiisyhjii  ]iild. — The 
Board  reported  as  follows:  Our  minds  liave  settled  down  with  much 
unanimity  that,  as  a  beginning  point,  there  are  no  fields  to  us  so 
easily  accessible,  and  which  promise  a  quicker  or  surer  reward  than 
the  Island  of  Trinidad,  West  Indies,  and  the  capital  of  Venezuela, 
South  America.  For  the  following  reasons,  among  others,  Trinidad 
is  the  Key  to  Venezuela;  We  have  there,  already,  two  intelligent 
Cumberland  Presbyterians — Dr.  N.  H.  McGirk  and  wile,  whom  we  be- 
lieve God  has  sent  to  open  up  the  way.  Again,  Venezuela  has  not 
a  Protestant  missionary  within  its  boundaries,  to  break  to  its  million 
and  a  half  the  breatl  of  life.  And,  lastly,  we  have  reliable  informa- 
tion that  a  commercial  company,  of  which  Mr.  McGirk  is  a  member, 
has  received  from  the  Government  of  Venezuela,  a  giant  to  a  large 
tract  of  land,  for  colonization  and  commercial  purposes;  and  this 
company  has  sub-granted  to  nine  trustees — gentlemen  residing  in  Mis- 
souri— all  of  them  but  one,  members  of  our  Church — for  the  use  and 
benefit  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States 
of  North  America,  a  portion  of  this  land,  amounting  to  eight  hundred 
square  miles,  lying  south  of  the  Orinoco  and  west  of  the  Caurey  River, 
for  the  purpose  of  establishing  and  carrying  on  missions  in  that 
country.  We  have  thoroughly  e.xamined  this  question,  and  believe  the 
grant  to  be  not  only  genuine  but  valuable,  at  least  as  a  base  for  mis- 
sionary operations  in  that  country,  and  cannot  look  upon  the  facts 
here  stated,  as  other  than  the  hand  of  our  Heavenly  Father,  pointing 
us  to  this  as  a  most  needy  and  inviting  lield,  and  one  that  we  have 
determined  to  enter  at  once,  as  soon  as  a  suitable  man  can  ba  ob- 
tained. The  Island  of  Trinidad,  which  almost  touches  Venezuela,  and 
which  belongs  to  Great  Britain,  contains  about  50,000  inhabitants, 
nearly  one-half  of  whom  are  coolies,  from  Asia,  who  are  idolaters, 
in  the  depth  of  ignorance  and  degradation.  The  remainder  of  the 
population  are  Negroes,  Spaniaids,  French,  English,  and  Americans. 
—1873,  p.  63. 

In  reference  to  the  foregoing,  the  General  Assembly  adopted  the 
following : 

Whercdx,  The  Board  of  Domestic  and  Foreign  Missions  report  that 
they  have  found  a  foreign  missionary  field,  not  only  open  to  our 
immediate  operations,   but  in  the   providenre  of  God   inviting  and  im- 


THE  BOARD  OF  3IISSIOXS.  503 

pioriug  lis  to  occupy  for  the  Master,  and  that  good  and  competent 
men  are  tendering  their  services  for  this  field;  therefore, 

h'r.-tol It'll ,  That  this  General  Assembly  instruct  its  Board  of  Missions 
to  allow  no  unnecessary  delay  in  sending  a  missionary  or  missionaries 
to  the  field  selected  and  reported  by  them  in  their  last  report.  Should 
they  get  ready  for  this  work  before  the  next  session  of  the  General 
Assembly,  they  are  hereby  authorized  co  perform  the  act  of  solemn 
ordination  to  the  foreign  missionary  work  in  behalf  of  the  General 
Assembly  and  of  the  whole  Church. — 1873,  p.  35. 

In  1874,  the  Board  said:  It  gives  us  great  pleasure  to  state  that  our 
denomination  has  again  re-entered  the  foreign  field.  Rev.  S.  T.  An- 
derson, D.D.,  of  Napoli,  New  York,  and  N.  H.  McGirk,  M.D.,  a  resident 
of  Port  of  Spain,  West  Indies,  were  appointed  missionaries  to  the 
Island  of  Trinidad,  at  the  November  meeting  of  the  Board — the  latter 
a  lay  assistant. 

Dr.  Anderson  reached  his  destination  in  due  time,  and  entered  into 
•consultation  with  Dr.  McGirk  in  regard  to  their  future  work.  Dr. 
McGirk  has  been  a  resident  of  that  country  for  several  years,  is  well 
acquainted  with  the  ruling  powers  of  the  Island,  and  of  the  adjacent 
country  of  Venezuela  in  South  America,  and  to  his  judgment  and  ripe 
experience,  as  well  as  his  great  anxiety  and  perseverance  in  pi^essing 
this  work  upon  the  consideration  of  the  Church,  are  the  Board  and 
the  whole  Church  mainly  indebted  for  increasing  the  interest  now 
manifest  on  this  stibject. — 1874,  p.  72. 

In  1876  the  Board  reported  the  recall  of  Dr.  Anderson  from  Trinidad: 
Our  Board  has,  as  yet,  undertaken  nothing  in  the  foreign  field  since 
the  last  Assembly.  The  work  which  we  then  had  on  hand  in  Trinidad 
and  Venezuela,  has  not  been  prosecuted  as  intended  when  undertaken, 
because  the  Board  has  found  it  impossible  to  raise  the  means  neces- 
sary to  send  two  other  men  to  accompany  Dr.  Anderson  into  Ven- 
ezuela, which  was  the  plan  on  which  that  work  was  begun.  When 
it  became  apparent  that,  for  a  year  or  more  to  come,  we  could  not 
hope  to  realize  the  means  necessary  to  carry  out  the  original  plan, 
which  "^^as  the  only  one  which  would  be  successful,  we  were  con- 
templating the  propriety  ot  recalling  Dr.  Anderson,  and  of  sending 
in  his  stead  to  the  same  point,  a  man  with  a  small  family.  At  this 
juncture  we  received  a  letter  from  Dr.  Anderson,  expressing  the  desire 
to  rettirn  to  the  United  States  unless  we  could  send  two  men  to  go 
with  him  into  Venezuela,  believing  that  it  would  not  be  judicious  to 
continue  him  at  San  Fernando,  unless  we  had  hope  of  entering  Ven- 
ezuela at  an  early  date,  and  that  it  was  useless  to  go  into  that  country 
with  less  than  three  men.  He  also  stated  that  he  felt  it  to  be  his  duty 
to  return  to  the  Tnited  States  on  account  of  his  own  and  his  wife's 
health,  and  the  education  of  his  children.  W^e  accordingly  recalled  Dr. 
Anderson,  giving  him  the  privilege  to  continue  his  work  under  pay 
from   us   until   such   time  as   he  considered   it   prudent,   with   reference 


504  PART  VI.,  AGENCIES  OE  THE  ASSEM/IIV. 

to  the  health  of  himsell'  and  family,  to  return  to  the  Ignited  States.  He 
selected  the  first  of  May  as  the  date  at  which  his  salary  should  cease, 
to  which  we  assented. — 1876,  p.  56. 

(2)  .1(1  I'll II  sclccUd  <!■■<  (I  f(irri<iii  mission  jicU}. — In  ISTtl,  the  Board  re- 
ported that  "two  most  excellent  brethren,  Rev.  J.  B.  Hail  and  Rev.  A. 
D.  Hail,  have  been  accepted  by  the  Board  as  candidates  for  the  foreign 
field,  and  are  now  preparing  for  the  work. — 1876,  p.  56. 

In  1877,  the  Board  said:  We  have  followed  the  instructions  of  the 
last  Assembly,  and  used  only  the  means  specially  so  directed,  for 
foreign  work,  and,  nevertheless,  we  have,  been  enabled  to  send  Rev. 
J.  B.  Hail  to  .Japan  at  an  outlay  of  $1,50U  for  outfit  and  passage,  and 
have  fully  paid  his  salary,  $1,000  per  year,  to  this  date.  The  details' 
of  Brother  HaiTs  trip,  plans,  and  prospects  have  been  so  fully  set 
forth  in  the  papers,  that  it  is  deemed  unnecessary  to  repeat  them 
here. 

As  a  sample  of  the  increase  of  che  sentiment  and  feeling  of  our 
people  as  to  the  foreign  work,  we  present  the  fact  of  the  increase  of 
contributions  during  the  past  twelve  months.  Our  last  previous 
annual  report  exhibited  for  Foreign  Missions  $1,857.06,  of  which  was 
the  amount  paid  to  Dr.  Anderson  by  the  Scotch  Presbyterian  Church 
which  he  served  in  Trinidad,  $1,356.50,  leaving  only  $500.56  raised 
from  our  own  Church  during  the  year,  for  the  foreign  work.  This 
year  our  exhibit  shows,  for  Foreign  Missions,  $2,693.00,  raised  from 
our  own  people,  of  which  $1,000  was  donated  by  the  Pennsylvania 
Synod  at  one  contribution,  an  increase  in  the  twelve  months,  of  over 
four  hundred  per  cent.  Besides  this  amount  of  cash  contributions,  we 
have  also  received  many  notes  and  pledges  for  this  work.  The  Rev. 
A.  D.  Hail  has  finished  his  preparation  for  the  foreign  field,  and  he 
and  his  wife  are  now  anxiously  awaiting  the  bidding  of  the  Church 
to  go  also  to  Japan.  Thus  a  Presbytery  can  be  formed  in  that  heathen 
land,  which,  when  formed,  as  it  doubtless  will,  will  be  the  first  Cum- 
berland Presbyterian  Presbytery  formed  on  foreign  soil. — 1877,  pp.  41, 
42. 

Rev.  A.  D.  •  Hail  is  nov/  about  ready  to  start  for  Japan,  and  your 
Board  is  ready  to  send  him.  He  is  present  at  this  Assembly  to  be 
commissioned  and  set  apart  for  the  work  in  a  programme  arranged 
by  the  Board,  and  which  it  is  hoped  this  Assembly  will  approve. — 
1878,  p.  50. 

Since  the  report  of  last  year,  Rev.  A.  D.  Hail  and  wife  have  been 
sent  as  missionaries  to  this  field,  and  are  at  present  engaged  in  the 
study  of  the  Japanese  language,  and  otherwise  preparing  for  the  work. 
Rev.  J.  B.  Hail  has  already  accomplished  enough  in  the  native  lan- 
guage to  be  able  to  preach  in  it,  and  a  preaching  place  has  been  rented, 
and  regular.,  services,  in  the  native  language,  began  on  the  second 
Sabbath   in   February  last.— 1879,   p.   50. 


THE  BOARD  OF  MISSIOXS.  505 

The  enumeration  of  the  statistical  taljle  found  on  another  page 
should  be  read  in  the  light  of  conditions  in  Japan  and  not  in  the 
light  to  which  western  churches  are  acctistomed.  It  should  be  re- 
membered that  the  churches  are  young.  Well-trained  pastors  are  few, 
and  none  of  the  congregations  more  than  fairly  well  established.  The 
transition  state  through  which  the  country  is  passing  manifests  it- 
self in  the  church  life  as  well  as  in  other  circles  of  society.  The 
people  are  mercurial  and  the  work  reactionary.  We  have,  however,  in 
Japan,  seven  church  houses  and  one  lot  purchased  in  Osaka  for  a 
church  btiilding.  All  this  has  been  maintained  by  the  contribtitions 
of  the  native  Christians  and  their  co-laborers  on  the  field.  And  yet 
it  must  not  be  forgotten  that  as  things  now  are  it  will  only  be  by 
faithful  instruction,  by  patient  efforts  and  by  persevering  prayer  that 
the  people  can  be  brought  to  the  point  where  they  will  undertake  the 
entire  support  of  their  own  pastors  and  evangelists. 

Since  the  organization  of  our  mission  in  1879,  there  have  been 
several  long  and  painful  intervals,  during  which  time  (uir  missionaries 
have  not  been  reinforced.  It  is  now  about  nine  years  since  a  new 
family  has  been  added  to  the  number.  Previous  to  that  there  was 
an  interval  of  eight  years  before  they  were  similarly  strengthened. 
Two  families  in  seventeen  years  to  meet  the  great  openings  and  op- 
porttmities  of  the  work,  is  the  record  we  are  compelled  to  face.  It  will 
be  apparent  to  every  one  that  stich  a  policy  actually  endangers  the 
work  already  begun  and  seriottsly  reflects  upon  the  liberality  of  the 
Chtirch.  Japan  is  yet  far  from  being  a  Christian  nation.  The  people 
are  largely  under  the  sway  of  Buddhism,  Shintoism,  and  other  pagan 
faiths.  The  educated  young  men  are  generally  skeptical,  and  of  the 
millions  who  are  now  making  and  molding  Jajian  it  is  the  fewest 
number,  comparatively  speaking,  who  are  Christians.  To  confront 
this  situation  there  is  a  young,  vigorous,  and  growing  Church.  But 
it  is  small  and,  needs  not  only  a  higher  ideal  of  Christian  living,  a 
fuller  sense  of  its  great  responsibility,  a  deeper  baptism  of  the  Holy 
Spirit,  but  it  needs  the  consolation,  the  encotiragement,  and  the  lov- 
ing sympathy  of  Christian  people  the  world  over.  It  needs  also  the 
prayers  of  God's  people  to  sustain  the  foreign  force,  to  strengthen 
the  native  Christian,  and  it  needs  the  addition  of  men  and  women 
who  are  willing  to  work  and  wait  to  bring  about  a  better  day. 


500  PART  /■/.,  AGENCIES  OF  THE  ASSEMllLY 

FiHsT  CuAPKi,,  OrioNKi)  FF.iiiii: Auv  9,  187;1. 


r.APTISMS. 


MKMBEU- 
.SK11-. 


1880 

0 

., 

Two  vi.un^'  nifH,  lir.st  couvi-rts,  luiptizcd  S.-pt.  26, 18^. 

1881 

0 

8 

1882 

11 

"•'7 

188;i 

2U 

42 

1884 

77 

124 

1885 

89 

2US 

1886 

ItiT 

yl2 

LiJ  to  t}i;s  lime  lulicU  regard  was  t-ntcrtaiucd  for 
('hristiauivv  as  a  Westfrn  inslitutioii. 

1887 

llu 

449 

With  tliis  rear,  1887,  a  severe  reaetioii  bt ■kuu. 

188« 

til) 

5i:j 

1889 

58 

584 

18tK) 

57 

(i27 

Rt-actiuu  at  its  height.     Two  churches,  with  80  iiiem- 

1891 

:i;j 

()2(i 

l)ers,  after  the  uuion  of  the  Presbyterian  bodies,  were 
ti'ansferred,  one  to  ihe  eare  of  Uie  Westeru  Presbyte- 

1892 

()() 

027 

rian  Mission,  Tolcyo,  and  one  to  the  Eastern  Mission, 
Nogova,  this  largely  on  aecoimt  of  the  limited  number 

1893 

49 

598 

of  memljers  and  means.  During  ail  these  years  tliere 
has  been  going  on  a  revision  of  I'hurch  rolls,  iinder  the 

1894 

00 

(!19 

rule  adopted  by  the  churches,  to  the  effect  that  an  ab- 
seuct^  of  two  vears  without  communicating  with  the 

1895 

7(5 

(524 

chui-ches  will  leave  the  church  free  to  drop  the  names 
of  such  absentees  without  further  process.     The  re- 

1896 

7(3 

608 

vision  of  the  rolls  ij  .still  in  progress. 

Thei-e  has  thus  been  from  the  beginning,  September  ?6,  ISSO.to  De- 
cember 30,  1896,  in  all,  1,086  baptisms.  The  80  members  transferred 
to  the  care  of  the  Tokyo  missionaries  are  not  enumerated  in  this 
table.— 1897,  pp.  98,  99. 

The  field  occupied  by  our  mission  in  .Japan  embraces  one-twentieth 
of  the  entire  area  of  the  empire,  exclusive  of  Formosa,  and  one-eighth 
of  the  population. 

Our  work  centers  in  and  around  Osaka,  the  largest  city  in  this  dis- 
trict, and  the  second  largest  in  the  empire.  It  was  in  this  city  our 
work  began,  and  still  the  larger  part  of  our  missionaries  are  stationed 
here.— 1898,  pp.  120,  121. 

^Missionaries  have  been  sent  to  Japan  as  follows: 


MlSSIOX.vnV.  OCT.        SlliM;i 

Rev.  J.  B.  Hail 1877 

Mrs.  J.  B.  Hail 1877 

Rev.  A.  D.  Hail 1878 

Mrs.  A.  D.  Hail 1878 

Miss  Alice  M.  Orr 1881  1887 

Miss  Julia  A.  Leavitt. 1881 

Mrs.  A.  M.  Drennan 188)1 

Miss  Bcttie  A.  Duffield 1885  l89;j 

Miss  Rena  Rezner 1886  1897 

Rev.  G.  G.  Hudson  1886 


SI--,NT 
MISSIONAKY.  HIT. 

Mrs.  Ct.  Ct.  Hudsim   1886 

Rev,  G.  W.  Van  Horn 1888 

Mrs.  G.  W.  Van  Horn 1888 

Miss  May  Morgan 1889 

Miss  Agnes  Morgan 1889 

Dr.  Mary  A.  Gault 1891 

Miss  Ella  Gardner 1893 

Miss  Jennie  Preeland 1893 

Miss  Sallio  Alexander 1894 

Mrs.  N.  A.  Lyon 1894 


SlIi.NKI). 


1896 
1892 


UnIO.\     ok    all     PliESHYTElUAX     MISSIONS     IN     JaPAX. 


In  October,  1877,  a  union  was  formed  between  the  three  Presbyterian 
missions  then  laboring  in  .Japan.  These  three  were  the  Northern 
Presbyterian  Church   and  the   Dutch   Reformed   Church   of   the   United 


Till':  j'>u.\Ri)  OF  :\rissio-\s.  5or 

States,  and  tlie  United  Presbyterian  Cliurcli  of  Scotland.  The  new 
organization  toolv  tlie  name  "United  Cliurch  of  Cliriat  in  Japan." 
In  1879  the  German  Reformed  Church,  and  in  1885  the  Southern  Pres- 
byterian Church,  botli  of  the  United  States,  planted  missions  in  Japan, 
and  both  missions  became  connected  with  the  "United  Church  of 
Christ." 

In  January,  1877,  about  nine  months  before  the  above  mentioned 
union  took  place,  the  Rev.  J.  B.  Hail  and  wife  landed  in  Japan  to  open 
the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  mission.  In  October,  1S7S,  just  one  year 
after  this  union  was  consummated,  the  Rev.  A.  D.  Hail  and  wife  re- 
enforced  the  mission.  Before  it  became  a  part  of  the  "United  Church 
of  Christ,"  it  was  strengthened  by  the  arrival  of  the  follov/ing  mis- 
sionaries: Miss  Alice  M.  Orr  and  Miss  Julia  A.  Leavitt,  1S81;  Mrs.  A. 
M.  Drennan,  18S4;  Miss  Bettie  A.  Duflield,  1885;  the  Rev.  Geo.  G. 
Hudson,  and  wife  and  Miss  Rena  Rezner,  1886;  and  the  Rev.  G.  W. 
Van  Horn  and  wife,  18S8.  Our  mission  maintained  an  independent 
organization  until  1889.  Thus  it  will  be  seen  that  the  mission  had 
been  running  twelve  years,  and  a  considerable  numb(5r  of  missionaries 
had  reached  the  field  before  the  independent  organization  was  given 
up.  There  had  been  ample  time  to  study  the  situation  and  needs 
of  the  Master's  work  in  the  Empire,  and  when  a  conclusion  as  to 
vrhat  was  best  to  be  done  had  been  reached,  it  va.s  not  the  voice 
of  one  or  two,  but  the  united  wisdom  of  all  the  missionaries,  as 
well  as  the  native  members. 

But  the  Church  at  home  had  been  preparing  the  way.  The  General 
Assembly  of  1885  (Minutes,  p.  o3),  said:  "We  believe  union  on  the 
foreign  mission  field  is  desirable,  and  will  cheerfully  enter  into  what- 
ever measures  may  seem  best,  looking  to  that  end.  Instead  of  trans- 
ferring our  differences  to  mission  lands  we  v/ould  gladly  join  our 
sister  denominations  in  the  plan  of  establishing  one  Presbyterian 
Church  in  each  mission  field." 

During  the  year  1887,  an  effort  was  being  made  to  unite  the  Con- 
gregational Church  and  the  United  Church  of  Christ  in  Japan.  The 
Cumberland  Pre:ibyterian  was  the  only  Presbyterian  mission  not  in 
the  United  Church  of  Christ;  and  now  a  bright  prospect  for  a  broader 
union,  which  nearly  all  the  leading  men  on  the  ground,  both  foreign 
and  native,  favored,  led  the  mission  to  transmit  to  the  Board,  and  the 
Board  to  the  Assembly  of  1888  (Minutes,  p.  50),  the  following:  "The 
Joint  Committee,  appointed  to  prepare  a  statement  of  doctrine 
and  form  of  government,  which,  if  adopted  by  the  churches,  will  unite 
the  Congregational  and  Presbyterian  Churches  (except  Cumberland 
Presbyterian)  of  Japan,  has  prepared  such  a  statement,  and  it  is 
now  being  considered  by  the  various  societies  arc!  Presbyteries. 
Should  this  union  be  consummated,  as  now  seems  probable,  the  union 
of  our  Church  with  the  new  Church  will  likely  be  discussed.  Though 
this   second   union    should    be    agreed   upon,    the    standing   of    the   or- 


508  PART  VI.,  AGENCIES  OE  THE  ASSEJIULY. 

dained  preachers  in  our  missiun  will  remain  unchanged.  Tliey  re- 
tain membership  in  their  respective  Presbyteries  in  the  United 
States  of  America." 

To  this  the  General  Assembly  replied  (Minutes,  p.  19):  "The 
movement  toward  organic  union  among  the  misbion  forces  and  native 
Christians  of  different  denominations  in  Japan  is,  to  us,  an  occasion 
of  great  rejoicing.  And  if  the  union  between  the  Congregationalists 
and  the  TTnited  Church  of  Chritt,  which  consists  of  all  Presbyterian 
Churches  in  that  country,  except  our  own,  is  brought  about,  our  mis- 
sion is  encouraged  to  enter  said  union.  If  this  broader  union,  on  the 
basis  of  the  'Brief  Statement'  of  doctrine  proposed,  should  not  be 
accomplished,  our  mission  is  advised  to  reciprocate  any  overtures  for 
union  that  may  come  from  the  ITnited  Church  of  Christ.  If  Cumber- 
land Presbyterians  in  Japan  are  satisfied  to  become  u  part  of  said 
United  Church,  upon  the  basis  of  the  exceptions  to  tlie  Westminster 
Confession  of  Faitla  tliat  are  set  forfh  in  the  Declaratory  Act  of  the 
United  Presbyterian  Church  of  Scotland,  such  a  step  will  meet  with 
the  approbation  of  this  General  Assembly." 

The  General  Assembly  unconditionally  encouraged  the  mission  to 
enter  the  union,  if  effected,  between  the  Congregational  Cliurch  and 
the  United  Church  of  Christ.  The  Assembly  was  thus  in  favor  of  a 
broader  union  than  that  of  the  Presbyterian  missions.  The  General 
Assembly  plainly  advised  in  the  foregoing,  the  Japanese  Cumberland 
Presbyterians,  as  well  as  the  missionaries,  in  case  Lais  broader  union 
should  not  be  brought  about,  "to  reciprocate  any  overtures  for  union 
that  may  come  from  the  United  Church  of  Christ."  The  Assembly 
expressed  more.  It  gave  its  unconditional  "approbation"  for  a  union 
of  the  mission  with  the  United  Church  of  Christ  on  the  basis  of  the 
Declaratory  Act  of  the  United  Presbyterian  Church  of  Scotland. 

In  1890,  through  the  Board,  the  mission  reported  as  follows  (.Minutes, 
p.  55):  "At  a  metting  of  the  Synod  of  the  United  Church  of  Christ 
in  Japan,  held  in  the  city  of  Tokyo,  in  May,  1S89,  a  committee  of 
five,  three  native  brethren  and  two  foreign  missionaries,  were  ap- 
pointed to  confer  with  the  Japanese  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church 
on  the  subject  of  Church  union.  The  United  Church  (Nipponichi 
Kj'okwaij  is  composed  of  the  American  Presbyterian  Church,  North, 
the  Presbyterian  Church,  South,  German  Reformed,  Dutch  Reformed, 
and  the  United  Presbyterian  Church  of  Scotland.  They  offered  as 
a  basis  of  union  the  Declaratory  Act  of  the  United  Presbyterian  Church 
of  Scotland.  Our  Church  appointed  two  native  brethren  and  two  mis- 
sionaries as  their  committee  on  union,  and  after  having  voted  church 
by  church  in  favor  of  the  proposed  union,  gave  the  committee  full 
powers  to  arrange  for  its  consummation.  Inasmuch  as  our  own 
General  Assembly  had  already  declared  that  union  u::on  such  a  basis 
would  meet  its  approbation,  the  native  Church  assented  all  the  more 
cordially  thereto."     The  Assembly  (Minutes,  ISOO,  p.  27)  indorsed  "the 


thp:  hoard  of  missions.  509 

action   of  our  missionaries   in   Japan   in   forming   a   union   with   other 
Presbyterian  bodies  of  that  empire." 

In  1892,  the  General  Assembly  adopted  the  following  recommenda- 
tion: Referring  to  the  memorial  from  New  Hope  Presbytery  asking 
lor  the  severance  of  your  mission  from  the  Church  of  Christ  of  Japan, 
we  recommend  that  the  present  relation  be  left  undisturbed.  This 
recommendation  is  based  upon  the  fact  that  the  union  of  your  mission 
with  the  other  Presbyterian  Churches  in  Japan  was  formed  in  compli- 
ance with  the  instructions  of  a  former  General  Assembly,  that  the  Con- 
fession of  Faith  cf  the  Church  of  Christ  in  Japan  in  no  way  conflicts 
with  that  of  our  own  Church,  that  its  government  is  substantially  Pres- 
byterian, that  it  conforms  to  the  custom  and  standard  of  our  own  Church 
in  inducting  men  into  the  ministry,  that  the  union  does  not  interfere 
with  the  tabulation  of  the  results  of  the  work,  that  the  results  of  the 
union  are  highly  satisfactory  both  tO'  your  missionaries  and  to  the 
native  churches;  so  that  the  dissolution  of  it,  it  is  thought,  would 
prove  disastrous  to  the  work  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church 
in  that  country. — 1892,  p.  17. 

(3)  .l/tvKo  srirrtrd  as  a  mission  fi"hJ. — The  Board  has  lately  resolved 
to  more  thoi'oughly  investigate  Mexico  as  a  mission  field,  with  the 
view  of  selecting  one  or  more  missionaries  and  a  place  for  work,  as 
the  Lord  may  open  the  way,  and  induce  Christian  workers  to  devote 
their  labors  there. — 18S5,  p.  49. 

The  .Rev.  A.  H.  Whatley,  a  single  man,  bearing  a  commission  from 
your  Board,  is  now  in  papal  Me::ico,  energetically  acquiring  a  knowl- 
edge of  the  Spanish  language,  and  expects  to  be  prepared  very  soon 
to  prosecute  his  mission  actively.  Though  one  missionary  unassisted 
can  do  efficient  work,  it  will  be  important  that  the  mission  be  re- 
enforced  at  an  early  day  by  other  missionaries,  the  first  of  whom  should 
be  a  married  man. — 188G,  p.  53. 

Our  missionary  to  Mexico,  Rev.  A.  H.  Whatley,  whose  report  con- 
cerning the  work  is  herewith  submitted,  has  already  acquired  a  suf- 
ficient knowledge  of  the  Spanish  language  to  enable  him  to  speak  and 
to  preach  to  the  people  in  their  native  tongue.  He  recently  returned 
to  the  United  States  and  took  a  wife,  a  devout  Christian,  intelligent 
and  resolute,  who  will  henceforth  share  his  labors  and  rewards. 
Property,  suitable  for  a  chapel  and  a  school,  will  be  l)ought  at  as 
early  a  date  as  practicable.  A  portion  of  the  needed  funds  has  been 
contributed  by  individuals.  The  Woman's  Board,  ever  prompt  and 
cordial  in  co-operating  with  your  Board  in  aggressive  movements, 
has  appropriated  one  thousand  dollars  for  the  purchase  of  property, 
and  in  due  time  will  supply  the  proposed  school  with  one  or  more 
lady  missionaries.  More  money  will  yet  be  required  even  for  the 
original  purchase.  'Then  additional  expenses  will  be  necessarily  in- 
curred   in    adapting  lor  their   intended    uses   whatever   buildings   may 


510  PART  /'/.,  AGENCIES  OE  THE  ASSEMBLY. 

be  bought.     The  total  cost  of  property  and  improvemonts  will  proba- 
bly amount  to  three  thousand  uollara. — 1887,  p.   43. 

This  young  mission  has  been  reinforced  by  Rev,  F.  P.  Lawyer,  who  was 
consecrated  to  the  work  at  the  last  General  Assembly.  Property  which, 
when  properly  improved,  will  serve  for  a  chayel  and  school,  has 
been  purchased,  and  the  mission  promised  a  permanent  and  success- 
ful work.— 1SS8,  p.   5U. 

Mr.  Whatiey  has  built  a  chapel  at  Aguas  Caliences,  and  has  or- 
ganized a  small  congregation.  Mr.  LaAvyer  superintends  two  flourish- 
ing schools  (one  for  boys  and  one  for  girls)  at  San  Pedro,  and  does 
evangelistic   work. — 1891,   p.   54. 

The  work  in  Mexico  during  the  last  year  was  consolidated,  and  for 
satisfactory  reasons  Aguas  Calientes  was  made  our  Headquarters. 
Here  we  have  a  church  building  well  locateJ.  The  lot  upon  which 
it  stands  is  about  00x285  feet,  on  the  rear  cf  Avhich  stands  the  re- 
cently erected  Boys'  Industrial  School  building.  Being  hard  pressed 
for  money  to  finish  the  building,  a  proposition  v/as  made  to  Mr.  .J.  R. 
Griiun,  Itasca,  Texas,  ihat  for  $500  he  should  have  the  privilege  of 
naming  the  school.  r^Ir.  Grinln  very  generously  gave  the  $500,  and 
henceforth  the  school  will  be  called  "The  Griffin  Industrial  School 
for  Boys."  We  have  here  about  ICO  church  members,  a  flourish- 
ing Sunday  school,  an  Endeavor  Society,  and  an  open  field  with 
very  inviting  prospects  for  efficient  v.'ork  for  the  IilaiLer.  We  have 
work  also  at  Cosio  in  the  same  State  of  Aguas  Caiientes,  where  we 
have  a  church  house  and  a  few  faithful  members  who  are  cour- 
ageously witnessing  for  the  truth  of  a  pure  Gospel  among  an  ig 
uorant,    idolatrous,    and    superstitious   people. 

At  Rincon  de  E.omos  and  at  Ascientos  we  have  preaching  places, 
but  the  work  has  not  been  prosecuted  sufficiently  to  justify  more 
than  a  mere  mention  of  the  fact  that  by  reason  of  a  spirit  of  Church 
comity,  which  exists  in  Mexico,  these  towns  and  the  city  of  Aguas 
Calientes  have  been  given  wholly  to  our  people,  and  the  thousands 
who  reside  in  this  State  depend  exclusively  upon  our  missionaries  for 
a  knowledge  of  the  truth.  Our  work  in  this  country  is  in  excellent 
condition,  as  is  also  the  work  under  the  support  of  the  Woman's 
Board,  and  merits  the  sympathy  and  the  cordial  support  of  the  entire 
denomination. — 1898,  p.   119. 

Missionaries  have  been  sent  to  Mexico  as  indicated  below: 

sK.xr  i;i:-  sent  rk- 

>nssl(lXAl!V.  or-l.  SKi.XED.  MIS810.N"A1;Y.  out.  SIGNKD. 

Rev.  A.  H.  Whatlev 1880  1897  Mrs.  H.  M.  Sharp 1893             1897 

Mrs.  A.  H.  Whath-V 1887  1897  Miss  .lean  L.  Ankrom ...  1895             1897 

Rev.  F.  P.  Lawvcr 1887  Miss  Lida  Reel 1890 

Mrs.  F.  P.  La\v\  ei .  1.S88  Died  1897  Miss  Mary  Turner 1897 

Rev.  ( '.  O.  Russell 1891  1892  Rev.  C.  M.  Collins.. 1898 

Miss  Marv  Harris Is92  1897  Mrs.  C.  M.  Collins 1898 

Rev.  H.  M.  Sharp   1893  1897 

(4)  China  srlrrted  as  a  mission  field. — It  is  with  a.  feeling  of  profound 
gratitude  that  we  report  that  since  the  last  meeting  of  the  Assembly 


THE  iiOAKD  OJ-  JI/SSIOXS.  oil 

we  have  been  permitted  to  open  work  in  that  most  needy  field — the 
Empire  of  China.  In  September  last  Dr.  and  Mrs.  0.  T.  Logan, 
medical  missionaries — the  Doctor  being  supported  by  the  generosity 
of  Mr.  G.  W.  Freeman,  Mansfield,  Mo. — with  Rev.  T.  .J.  Preston,  our 
Christian  Endeavor  representative,  sailed  for  Shanghai.  After  a  few- 
days  in  conference  with  other  missionaries,  they  decided  that  our 
field  of  work  should  be  in  the  interior  of  the  country,  and  immediately 
started  up  the  Yangtse  River  to  I-chang,  the  head  of  navigation,  about 
one  thousand  miles  from  Shanghai.  The  exact  location  of  our  mis- 
sion has  not  yet  been  decided  upon.  A  recent  letter  says  that  they 
are  considering  the  province  of  Hunan.  They  are  now  busy  study- 
ing the  language,  as  the  Board  has  directed,  so  that  when  they 
enter  upon  the  w^ork  properly  they  will  not  be  hindered  in  their  ef- 
forts to  preach  the  Gospel  by  an  inaccurate,  inefficient  knowledge  of 
the  language  of  the  people. 

We  cannot  but  commend  these  brave  hearts  as  they  enter  upon 
their  work  for  the  Master.  They  are  otir  pioneers.  Courageous,  ca- 
pable, Christian,  they  have  gone  forth  at  the  bidding  of  the  Master 
to  represent  our  interests  in  the  evangelization  of  China.  In  the  face 
of  tremendous  difficulties,  they  do  not  hesitate  one  moment  to  take 
up  their  abode  in  the  Province  of  Hunan,  where  there  are  from  16,- 
000,000  to  18,000,000  people,  more  than  are  in  all  our  x^tlantic  States 
combined,  with  only  two  resident  missionaries.  Until  Avithin  a  few 
months  the  Hunanese  ha\e  suffered  no  foreigner  to  settle  in  their 
province.  Many  have  visited  it,  but  only  to  bo  treated  harshly  and 
driven  out.  But  God  has  been  working  for  Hunan.  Influences  not 
seen  with  the  natural  eye  have  been  preparing  the  way  for  the  herald 
of  the  Cross. 

Into  this  untried  field  our  representatives  v/ill  soon  enter.  What 
an  empire  of  glorious  opportunity  is  here  waiting  for  faith  and  cour- 
age to  conquer.  Compared  with  it,  how-  trifling  is  the  greatest  field 
at  home.  We  are  looking  forward  eagerly  to  the  time  when  we 
shall  found  a  Church,  establish  a  school,  build  a  hospital,  and  send 
additional  missionaries  into  this  very  inviting  field  of  labor.  Y'Je 
wonder  that  the  Church  should  be  content  to  build  on  a  foundation 
which  others  have  laid  in  a  land  where  she  must  contend  for  place, 
w^hen  she  might  reach  out  to  the  regions  beyond,  where  no  man 
hath  yet  labored,  and  where  God  is  waiting  to  give  her  an  inherit- 
ance wiiich,  through  Jesus  Christ,  shall  be  forever  all  her  own.  May 
the  Spirit  of  God  touch  the  heart  of  our  beloved  Church,  and  send 
her  forth  to  claim  the  king-^.om,  while  she  may,  for  the  possibilities, 
now,  of  mission  work  in  the  interior  of  China  are  immense,  imperial, 
glorious  beyond  compare. — 1898,  p.  120. 


512  I\INT  ]'/.,  ACENCIES  OF  THE  ASSEMBLY. 

IV.  WOMAN'S  BOARD  OF  MISSIONS. 

In  1880  the  General  Assemblj'  met  in  Evansville,  Indiana.  A  call 
was  issued  to  the  women  of  the  Church  to  meet  in  the  same  city, 
during  the  sittings  of  the  General  Assembly,  for  the  purpose  of  or- 
ganizing a  Woman's  Board  of  Foreign  Missions.  The  meeting  was 
well  attended,  and  the  following  will  show  with  what  results: 

The  following  communication  from  the  Woman's  Convention  of  the 
Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,  was  read,  and  approval  thereof  ex- 
pressed by  a  unanimous  rising  vote: 

T(i  tlic  Mddcralor  mid  Mciiihcrs  <if  tli<  flciicnil  Asscmlilii  of  llir  (' uiiilicrlintd 
l'r(f<h[il(iUiii  Cliiircli  : 
The  convention  of  the  women  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian 
Church,  called  for  the  purpose  of  organizing  a  Woman's  Board  of 
Foreign  Missions,  after  earnest  and  prayerful  consideration  of  the 
subject,  have  determined  to  organize  said  Board,  and  to  locate  it  at 
Evausville,  Indiana,  with  the  following  members:  Mrs.  Rachel  Rus- 
ton,  Mrs.  D.  S.  Ragan,  Mrs.  N.  A.  Lyon,  Mrs.  W.  F.  Nisbet,  Mrs.  W.  J. 
Darby,  of  Evansville;  Mrs.  M.  J.  Parsons,  of  Nev/burg  Ind.,  and  Mrs. 
William  Kurtz,  of  Princeton,  Ind.  Thanking  you  for  the  encourage- 
ment already  given  us,  we  sincerely  ask  your  sympathy  and  prayers 
in  behalf  of  the  important  work  in  which  we  have  embarked,  that 
through  the  instrumentality  of  the  missionaries  our  Board  may  send 
to  heathen  lands,  multitudes  of  our  sisters  may  be  brought  to  a 
knowledge  of  Christ.  Mns.    Mary    McGixui^ey, 

Miss  Belle  M.  Day, 

('aiiiiiiiltce. 

The  Stated  Clerk  was  ordered  to  prepare  a  suitable  response  to 
said  communication,  whereupon  the  following  was  sent  in  reply: 

To  the  W'liiiKiii's  ('iiini  iilUiii  nf  Ihr  ('  iimlitriii  iid  I'n  shi/tiiiaii  Cliitnli,  )iou: 
ill   ,s'r,s-.s-(o/(    /;/   iU'diixi'iUc,  Ind.: 

The  communication  of  your  Committee  to  our  General  Assembly 
was  most  gratefully  received,  and  approval  thereof  was  expressed  by 
a  unanimous  rising  vote.  We  pledge  you  our  most  prayerful  sympa- 
thy and  co-operation  in  your  grand  work  in  behalf  of  heathen  women 
in  foreign  lands.  May  the  God  of  all  grace  abundantly  bless  and 
prosper  your  new  Board   and   all   your  efforts  in  your  noble   mission. 

Joiix  Frizzei.i.,  stilted  Vlirk. 

Evansville,  Ind.,  May  27,  1880.  —1880,  pp.  38,  39. 

Chartei;   of   the  Woman's   Boaui)   or  Missions   of   the   Cimiseklaxd 
Presuyteiuax  Chtrch. 

We,  the  undersigned,  desiring  to  form  ourseh'es  into  a  corporate 
Missionary  Board,  in  pursuance  of  the  provisions  contained  in  Art. 
IV.  of  the  Revised  Statutes  of  Indiana,  declare  as  follows: 


irOJLi\'S  JJOAA'D  UJ^'  J/ISSIOXS.  513 

Section  1.  The  name  of  this  corporation  shall  be,  Woman's  Board 
of  Foreign  Missions  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church. 

Section  2.  The  object  of  this  corporation  shall  be  to  promote  an 
interest  especially  among  the  members  of  the  Cumberland  Presby- 
terian Church,  in  behalf  of  Foreign  Missions,  and  to  co-operate  with 
the  General  Assembly's  Board  cf  Missions  in  sending  the  Gospel  to 
foreign  lands,  especially  to  heathen  women  and  children,  and  to  any 
of  the  tribes  of  North  American  Indians.  All  property  both  real  and 
personal,  which  may  be  acquired  by  this  corporation,  shall  be  held 
in  trust  by  it  for  such  purposes. 

Section  3.  This  corporation  shall  be  subject  to  the  control  and  pat- 
ronage of  the  General  Assembly  o'f  Lhe  Cumoerland  Presbyterian 
Church,  in  manner  as  follows,  to  wit: 

(IJ  The  General  Assembly  aforesaid  shall  have  the  right,  through 
its  Board  of  Missions,  to  prescribe  all  qualifications  of  missionaries, 
phj'sical,   educational,  and  religious. 

(2)  This  corporation  shall  have  the  right  to  nominate  as  mission- 
aries any  persons  possessing  the  qualifications  required,  to  the  prop- 
erlj'  constituted  authority  of  the  said  General  Assembly  for  its  ap- 
proval  and  commission. 

(3)  The  said  General  Assembly,  in  any  manner  it  may  elect,  siiall 
have  the  right  to  indicate  the  fields  of  labor  to  which  said  mission- 
aries shall  go,  and  shall  likeAvise  have  the  right  to  define  their 
duties  and  fix  their  salaries. 

Section  4.  This  corporation  may  organize  such  auxiliary  societies 
as  it  may  deem  proper,  and  shall  have  the  right  to  control  its  own 
internal  ailairs,  according  to  the  judgment  ol  its  trustees  and  officers, 
and  all  propertj'  of  every  description,  v.'hich  it  may  acquire,  shall  be  de- 
voted exclusively  to  the  purposes  enumerated  in  Section  1;  and  the 
General  Assembly  aforesaid  shall  have  no  power  to  direct  the  same  to 
other  uses.  This  corporation  shall  not  invest  anj^  of  its  funds  in  real 
estate,  in  any  foreign  lands  except  through  and  in  the  name  of  the 
Board  of  Mission.:.  Any  matters  of  dilTerence  arising  between  this 
corporation  and  any  other  similarly  constituted  authority,  in  the  Cum- 
berland Presbyterian  Church,  shall  be  referred  to  the  General  Assem- 
bly of  the  said  Church,  and  its  decision  shall  be  final. 

Section  5.  This  corporation  proposes  to  raise  such  funds  as  may 
be  needed  hy  voluntary  contributions,  collected  through  the  agency 
of  its  several  auxiliary  societies;  also  to  accept  invitations,  bequests, 
and  devises  from  individuals.  The  amount  already  donated  to  the 
Board  is  $ . 

Section  6.  Donations  and  contributions  may  be  represented  bj' 
shares  of  ($30)  thirty  dollars  each,  which  share  shall  not  be  assignable, 
but  shall  be  personal  to  the  party  to  whom  originally  issued. 

Section  7.  The  successors  to  the  subscribers  hereto  shall  he  such 
trustpc.-i  as  may  be  designated  in  convention  formed  by  delegates  from 


514  PART  I'L,  AGENCIES  OE  THE  ASSEMBLY. 

auxiliai-y  societies,  synodical  vice  presidents,  and  life  members.  The 
convention,  so  composed,  shall  nominate  to  the  acting  Boai'd  of 
Trustees  a  full  board  for  its  appi'oval,  and  it  shall  be  competent  for 
said  convention  to  nominate  any  one  or  more  of  the  acting  Board. 
It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  said  acting  Board,  at  its  first  meeting  there- 
after, to  elect  the  persons  so  designated  by  said  convention. 

Mrs.  R.  B.  Ru.ston, 
Mrs.  N.  a.  Lyon, 
Mrs.    Alvaii   Joii^^sox, 
Mrs.   W.   J.    Darby, 
Mrs.  J.  C  McClurkin, 
Miss   A.    L.    Forsythe. 

In  1890  the  Woman's  Board  determined  "to  aid  in  the  Home  Field" 
(Assembly  Minutes,  1890,  p.  44),  and  accordingly  had  the  name  of 
the  organization  changed  from  "the  Woman's  Board  of  Foreign  Mis- 
sions of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church'  to  "the  Woman's  Board 
of  Missions  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church." 

CO.N.STITUTIOX     OF    THE    BOARU. 

Article  1.  This  Society  shall  be  called  the  Woman;-;  Board  of  Mis- 
sions of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church. 

Article  2.  The  object  of  this  Board  shall  be  to  promote  an  interest 
among  the  women  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  i^hurcli,  and  to 
work  in  co-operation  v/ith  the  General  Assembly's  Board  of  Misoions 
for  the  evangelization  of  the  world. 

Article  3.  The  Board  shall  consist  of  nine  members,  four  of  whom 
shall  constitute  a  quorum.  They  shall  elect  their  own  officers,  and 
employ  such  assistants  as  the  necessities  of  the  work  may  demand. 

Article  4.  They  shall  have  power  to  appoint  a  Vice  President  for 
each  Synod,  whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  hold  annually  a  meeting  in 
connection  with  Synod;  a  Board  of  Managers,  who  shall  devise  and 
use  means  for  extending  missionary  influence  in  the  Church,  also  to 
seek  and  recommend  to  the  Board  suitable  women  for  missionaries; 
an  Auditor,  who  shall  examine  thoroughly  all  books  and  papers  of 
the  Treasurer,  and  furnish  a  certificate  of  the  result  of  the  same  to 
the  Board. 

Article  5.  The  meetings  of  the  Board  shall  be  held  monthly,  or 
oftener,  at  the  call  of  the  President.  There  shall  be  an  annual  meet- 
ing, at  which  each  auxiliary  society  shall  be  entitled  to  two  delegates. 
At  each  annual  meeting  an  address  by  the  President,  reports  by  the 
Corresponding  Secretary  and  Treasurer  shall  be  presented,  members 
of  the  Board  elected,  and  other  business  transacted. 

Article  6.  Any  number  of  women,  contributing  each  thirty-five  cents 
per  quarter,  may  form  a  society  auxiliary  to  the  Board  the  usual  dues 
being  forwarded  to  the  Board,  the  remainder  being  retained  and 
equally  divided  between  the  presbyterial  and  synodical  funds. 


THE  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY.  515 

Article  7.  The  Board  shall  have  power  to  make  all  necessary  by- 
laws and  fill  vacancies  occurring  during  the  year. 

Article  8.  The  payment  of  thirty  dollars  shall  constitute  a  life  mem- 
bership of  this  Board,  provided  the  sum  exceeds  the  regular  dues  of 
any  auxiliary  society. 

Article  9.  This  Constitution  may  be  altered  or  amended  by  a  vote 
of  two-thirds  of  the  members  at  any  annual  meetiiig. 

The  Charter  and  Constitution  of  the  Board  make  it  auxiliary  to 
the  General  Assembly's  Board.  The  Woman's  Board  has  ever  been 
loyal  to  its  chartered  and  constitutional  purpose.  Through  its  ma- 
chinery and  the  devotion  of  its  constituency  the  Woman's  Board  has 
raised  annually  a  good  sum  of  money  for  the  advancement  of  the 
missionary  work  of  the  Church.  Seventeen  women  (w'hose  names  are 
included  in  the  lists  on  preceding  pages)  have  been  sent  to  the  foreign 
field;   and  they  have  i-eceived  their  support  through  this  Board. 

V.  THE  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY. 

As  early  as  1S30,  at  the  second  annual  meeting  of  the  General  As- 
sembly, the  advisability  of  establishing  a  Theological  Seminary  in 
connection  with  Cumberland  College,  at  Princeton,  Kentucky,  was 
considered.  While  the  sentiment  was  in  favor  of  the  establishment 
of  such  an  insLituiion,  it  was  determined  that  it  was  not  expedient 
to  do  so  at  that  time.— 1830,  p.  36,  MSS. 

The  matter  of  establishing  a  Theological  Seminary  having  been 
discussed  in  the  h'cricalist,  the  Church  paper,  the  General  Assembly 
of  1S34  referred  the  question  to  the  Presbyteries. — 1834,  p.  238,  MSS. 

After  reviewing  the  reports  from  the  Presbyteries,  the  General  As- 
sembly adopted  the  following  resolution: 

A'ciolrcd,  That  it  would  not  be  expedient  to  establish  such  an  in- 
stitution at  this  time. — 1835,  p.  256,  MSS. 

In  1848  the  General  Assembly  adopted  the  following  pi-eamble  and 
resolutions: 

Whcrcufi,  It  is  desirable  and  important  that  provisions  be  made  and 
facilities  furnished,  not  only  for  the  scientific  and  literary  training 
of  our  candidates  for  the  holy  ministry,  but  likewise  their  proper  and 
thorough  theological  instruction,   therefore. 

Retail  ml,  That  the  Presbyteries  be,  and  they  are  hereby,  requested 
to  take  into  consideration  at  their  next  Fall  sessions,  the  propriety 
of  establishing  a  Theological  Seminary,  or  Seminaries,  at  some  suita- 
ble place  or  places  in  our  bounds,  and  communicate  their  action  on 
the  subject  to  the  Chairman  of  the  Committee  designated  in  the  fol- 
lowing resolution,  provided  a  majority  of  the  Presbyteries  approve 
thereof. 

Rcsolrcd,  fiatiirr.  That  Rev.  Robert  Donnell,  Hon.  Abraham  Ca- 
ruthers,   Rev.    A.    M.    Bryan,    Hon.    Bromfield    L.    Ridley,    Rev.    Reuben 


516  PART  VI.,  AGENCIES  OF  THE  ASSEMBLY. 

Burrow,  Sr.,  Richard  Beard,  D.U.,  Rev.  M.  Bird,  Hou.  J.  M.  Howry, 
Rev.  H.  A.  Hunter,  Rev.  M.  H.  Bone,  and  Rev.  A.  G.  Goodlett  be,  and 
they  are  hereby,  appointed  a  Committee  on  the  Establishment  of  a 
Theological  Seminary,  who  shall  invite  propositions  for  its  location, 
and  report  su.h  as  may  be  made  to  the  next  General  Assembly;  also, 
a  detailed  pian  which  they  may  think  best  for  the  establishment  of 
such  an  institution,  together  with  the.  ways  and  means  by  which  it 
may  most  effectually  be  done. — 1848,  p.  22. 

The  next  year  this  Committee  submitted  the  following  report: 

The  Committee,  appointed  by  the  last  General  Assembly  of  the  Cum- 
berland Presbyterian  Church,  to  take  into  consideration  the  establish- 
ment of  a  Theological  School  or  Schools,  this  day  met.  Present,  Rev. 
R.  Burrow,  Sr.,  Rev.  Richard  Beard,  D.U.,  Rev.  Milton  Bird,  Rev.  H.  A. 
Hunter,  and  Rev.  M.  H.  Bone,  ana  Ruling  Elder  Bromfield  L.  Ridley. 

There  being  a  quorum  for  the  transaction  of  business,  and  Rev. 
Robert  Donnell,  the  Chairman,  being  absent,  on  motion  of  Rev.  H.  A. 
Hunter,  Rev.  M.  Bird  was  appointed  Chairman,  and  Ruling  Elder 
B.  L.  Ridley,  Secretary. 

Whereupon,  Ruling  Elder  B.  E.  Ridley  submified  the  Committee  a 
report,  which,  with  slight  amendments,  was  adopted  by  the  Commit- 
tee unanimously.     The  report  is  as  follows: 

At  the  last  session  of  the  General  Assembly  the  following  preamble 
and  resolutions  were  aaopted  unanimously,  viz.: 

[Note. — See  the  preamble  and  resolutions  above,  adopted  by  the 
General  Assembly  of  ISlS.j 

Your  Committee  beg  leave  to  submit  the  following  report: 

They  remark,  in  relation  to  the  first  resolution,  touching  the  action 
of  the  several  Presbyteries  on  the  propriety  of  the  establishment  of 
a  Theological  Seminary,  that  those  of  the  Committee  who  make  this 
report  are  not  in  possession  of  official  information  on  the  resolution 
requiring  that  the  action  of  the  Presbyteries  should  be  communicated 
to  the  Chairman  of  this  Committee,  who,  it  will  be  seen,  is  the  Rev. 
Robert  Donnell.  From  some  unknown  cause,  the  Chairman  is  ab- 
sent from  this  General  Assembly,  and  your  Committee  have  received 
no  communication  from  him.  They  have  received,  however,  from 
another  most  reliable  souice,  information  of  the  fact  that  the  great 
majority  of  the  reports  of  the  Presbyteries  made  to  the  Chairman,  pur- 
suant to  this  resolution.  Avere  decidedly  favorable  to  the  establishment 
of  a  Theological  School. 

Your  Committee  regret  the  failure  of  the  Chairman  to  make  avail- 
able to  the  General  Assembly  documentary  evidence  of  the  wishes 
of  the  various  Presbyteries  on  the  subject.  And  they  are  well  satis- 
fied that  a  very  large  majority  of  the  Presbyteries  desire  such  es- 
tablishment. And  your  Committee  would  here  add  that  the  propriety 
of  the  establishment  of  a  Theological  Department  or  Departments  for 
the  thorough   instruction  of  our  candidates   for  the  holy   ministry   is 


THE  THEOLOGICAL  SEMTXARY.  517 

a  proposition  so  manifest  that  it  needs  uoi  to  be  fortified  by  argument. 
The  marcii  of  mind  is  onward  and  still  onward.  Improvement  is  the 
spirit  of  the  age.  The  nineteenth  century  is  already  distinguished  for 
improvement  upon  advancement,  and  advancement  upon  improve- 
ment, in  every  department  of  natural  and  moral  science.  It  is  no  time 
for  the  Church  to  sleep.  Let  her  energies  be  put  forth,  as  her  cause 
is  above  all  causes,  so  ought  her  efforts  to  disseminate  the  pure  light 
of  the  Gospel  and  to  advance  the  great  Redeemer's  kingdom  surpass 
all  other  efforts  at  improvement.  The  world  looks  to  the  Church 
for  light,  and  still  further  light  in  explaining  and  illustrating  and  in- 
terpreting the  sacred  Scriptures.  Whilst  literary  institutions  are  be- 
ing endowed,  colleges  are  established,  and  professorships  created  in 
them  of  mathematics  and  chemistry,  and  ancient  ana  modern  lan- 
guages, for  the  instruction  and  perfection  in  knowledge  of  the  rising 
generation  in  matters  of  general  science,  surely  the  Church  ought 
not  to  forget  to  provide  facilities,  professorships — departments  for  in- 
struction in  the  higher  and  more  important  and  more  difficult  science 
of  theology. 

An  error  on  this  subject  prevails  in  the  world,  and  in  the  Church 
to  a  certain  extent.  Some  argue  that  a  minister's  usefulness  is  im- 
paired in  the  ratio  of  his  wisdom  or  learning  in  the  science  of  theology; 
in  other  words,  the  more  learned  a  minister  may  be  in  theology  the 
less  religion  he  has.  The  argument  is  unreasonable  in  this,  that  it 
goes  against  light  and  knowledge  generally,  and  decides  that  ignorance 
is  a  more  potent  engine  in  converting  and  evangelizing  the  world,  than 
light  and   learning  and   wisdom  in  the   Sacred   Scriptures. 

Your  Committee  would  present  a  special  argument  for  the  estab- 
lishment of  a  Theological  School  by  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian 
Church.  Our  intermedial  system  is  right — abstractly  right.  Cum- 
berlandism  is  the  intermedial  system  between  Calvinism  and  Armin- 
ianism — fortified  and  sustained  by  the  high  .  authority  of  the  Holy 
Scriptures.  Give  to  the  system  advocates — a  clergy  learned  in  all  the 
departments  of  theology,  the  Greek  and  Hebrew  languages,  so  that 
they  can  confute  error,  and  vindicate  the  system  with  power,  and  we 
may  confidently  predict  that  at  no  distant  day,  the  iiitermedial  sys- 
tem will  be  every  man's  system  who  brings  an  impartial  mind  to  the 
investigation  of  its  simple  doctrines. 

In  concluding  our  report  on  this  branch  of  the  subject,  your  Com- 
mittee have  no  hesitation  in  recommending  to  the  General  Assem- 
bly, the  establishment,  umln-  /f.v  imtnn\(ii)v  mid  jiirisiViciinn.  of  a  The- 
ological School  or  Schools. 

Where  shall  the  School  be  located?  At  one  or  both  of  the  literary 
institutions  connected  with  the  Church,  or  at  some  point  disconnected 
with  either?  In  responding  to  the  last  question  first,  your  Committee 
do  not  doubt  that  it  would  be  Avise  to  connect  the  establishment  or  De- 
partment with  one  or  both.  Cunil)erland  I'niversitv,  at  Lebanon,  Tenn.. 


518  FART  VI.,  AGENCIES  OF  THE  ASSEMBLY. 

or  Cumberland  College,  at  Princeton,  Ky.,  as  well  on  the  ground  of 
economy  as  expediency.  The  University  at  Lebanon  has  alreaay  en- 
dowment secured  of  $55,000,  with  the  privilege  of  increasing  it  to  $100,- 
000.  The  Cumberland  College  has  already  an  endowment  of  between 
$15,000  and  $20,000,  and  is  increasing  it.  Both  Colleges  are  supplied 
with  suitable  buildings  and  accommodations  for  students,  and  are 
fixed  upon  sure  and  permanent  foundations.  The  Theological  Depart- 
ment would  add  usefulness  and  weight,  and  operate  as  a  great  moral 
auxiliary  to  the  literary  departments  of  the  colleges,  and  iice  xcrm. 

Your  Committee  would  further  suggest  and  recommend  that  the 
Theological  Department  be  under  the  control  of  the  General  Assembly, 
which  shall  have  power  to  deiine  and  establish  professorships  and 
elect  professors  and  control  the  proper  investment  of  the  funds.  There 
is  no  impropriety  or  inconsistency  in  subjecting  the  Theological  School, 
located  as  suggested,  to  the  General  Assembly,  although  the  literary 
institution  to  which  it  may  be  fixed  may  not  be  in  any  manner  subject 
to   its   control. 

Your  Committee  would  further  represent  and  show  to  the  General 
Assembly  that  they  recommend  the  establiohment  of  a  Department 
at  Cumberland  College,  at  Princeton,  Ky.,  and  at  the  University,  at 
Lebanon,  Tenn.  Distinctions  are  invidious.  Both  institutions, 
though  not  under  the  control  and  management  of  our  highest  Church 
judicature,  are  nevertheless  Cumberland  Presbyterian  establishments, 
founded,  sustained,  and  patronized  by  the  Church.  A  happy  state  of 
fraternal  regard  and  sympathy  ought,  and  doubtless  does,  exist  be- 
tween the  friends  of  each.  An  exclusive  establishment  might  have  a 
tendency  to  produce  heart-burnings  and  jealousy,  and  alienation  in 
the  bosoms  of  the  excluded  institution.  An  issue  and  consequence  of 
this  sort  ought  to  be  avoided.  The  friends  of  each  must  still  be  al- 
lowed to  love  one  another,  and  to  bring  to  this  great  work  united 
hands  and  hearts.  Let  the  friends  of  each  have  the  privilege,  under 
the  fostering  care  and  patronage  and  control  of  the  General  Assem- 
bly, of  creating  a  separate  fund  for  the  support  and  endowment  of  a 
Theological  School.  And  for  the  more  effectual  way  of  carrying  out 
and  perfecting  this,  your  Committee  would  recommend  the  appoint- 
ment of  two  committees  of  the  friends  of  each,  with  power  and  au- 
thority to  elect  their  own  agents  respectively.  These  Committees  shall 
also  be  Committees  of  Ways  and  Means,  vested  with  full  power  to  de- 
termine what  pecular  and .  special  plan  shall  be  pursued  by  the  agent 
in  creating  the  endowment  fund.  These  Committees  ought  to  report 
to  the  General  Assembly  from  time  to  time  their  progress,  or  that  of 
their  agents,  making  such  suggestions  touching  the  School  as  may 
seem  fit  and  proper. 

Your  Committee  have  lively  hopes  that  there  will  be  no  difficulty 
in  raising,  by  public  contributions,  a  sum  or  sums  necessary  and  ade- 
quate  to   the   permanent    establishment     of     a     Theological    School    or 


THE  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY.  519 

Schools,  perhaps  dui'ing  the  year  1850,  or  after  the  next  meeting  of 
this  General  Assembly.  The  School  would  doubtless  go  into  operation 
"With  one  professorship,  to  be  enlarged  to  two  or  mere  us  circumstances 
might  justify.  A  sum  that  would  yield  an  annual  interest  of  $1,000 
or  $1,500,  at  most,  would  justify  the  organization  of  the  School,  and 
the  employment  by  this  Assembly  of  a  competeni  Professor. 

Your  Committee  have  thus  occupied  the  whole  grouna  presented  for 
their  consideration  by  the  resolutions  of  the  last  General  Assembly; 
and,  in  view  of  the  premises,  they  beg  leave  inost  respectfully  to 
recommend  to  the  General  Assembly  for  adoption  the  following  resolu- 
tions: 

1.  licsohed.  That  this  General  Assembly  is  in  favor  of  the  establish- 
ment of  a  Theological  Seminary  or  Seminaries  for  the  instruction  of 
our  candidates  for  the  ministry. 

2.  Resolved,  That  the  Trustees  of  Cumberland  University,  at  Lebanon, 
Tenn.,  and  Cumberland  College,  at  Princeton,  Ky.,  he  permitted  and 
requested  to  ereate  an  endoieinvHt  fund  pir  the  estahlishmeni  of  such  schools, 
under  the  itatroiuKje  of  this  Uenerul  Assenilihj;  provided,  said  Trustees 
have  no  power  to  create  any  indebtedness  on  this  General  Assembly; 
and  provided,  further,  that  whatever  they  do  in  ihe  premises,  shall 
be  reported  to  the  next  General  Assembly  for  their  approval. 

Milton   Bird,    Chairniaii. 
B.   L.   Ridley,    Secretary. 

—1849,  pp.  30-33. 

The  foregoing  report  was  disposed  of  as  follows: 

On  motion  of  the  Chairman,  the  first  resolution  wiis  adopted,  also 
the  second,  when  he  moved  the  adoption  of  the  preamble  and  argu- 
ment of  the  report.  The  motion  prevailed.  The  whole  report  was 
adopted,  there  being  but  very  few  dissenting  voices. — 1849,  p.  21. 

The  action  of  the  General  Assembly  of  1849  resulte'l  in  the  follow- 
ing report  from  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  Cumberland  I'niversicy  to  the 
General  Assembly  of  1850: 

The  Trustees  would  respectfully  report  to  your  Reverend  Body  that 
they  cordially  approve  of  the  proposition  contained  in  the  resolutions 
passed  by  the  last  Assembly  in  favor  of  the  establishment  of  Theo- 
logical Schools,  for  the  thorough  instruction  of  candidates  for  the 
ministry.  It  having  been  a  great  object  with  the  Trustees,  from  the 
foundation  of  the  institution,  that  it  should  subserve  the  interest  of 
the  Church,  and  believing  that  that  could  best  be  done  by  connecting 
with  it  a  Theological  Department,  the  Trustees  had  a  clause  incorpo- 
rated into  the  original  charter  authorizing  it  to  be  done;  and  never 
having  lost  sight  of  the  orijginal  design,  and  being  desirous  to  aid 
the  Assembly  in  any  effort  it  may  wish  to  make  which  has  in  view 
this  desirable  object,  the  Trustees,  almost  as  a  matter  of  course,  ac- 
cepted the  overture  made  to  them  by  the  last  Assembly.  They  have, 
however,    taken    no    further    action    upon    this    subject,    except   to    au- 


520  PART  VI.,  AGENCIES  OF  THE  ASSEMBLY. 

thorize  their  agent  appointed  to  collect  funds  for  the  literary  de- 
partment, to  receive  donations  for  a  theological  professorship;  and 
they  have  not  done  this  with  the  expectation  that  much  will  be 
done  until  the  plan  of  the  Assembly  shall  be  more  fully  developed 
and  defined,  nor  until  one  or  more  agents,  unencumbered  with  other 
subjects,  shall  have  been  appointed  and  commissioned,  who  will  take 
the  field  and  present  the  subject  to  the  Church,  and  then,  we  doubt 
not,  it  would  so  commend  itself  to  any  reflecting  member,  that  an  en- 
dowment for  that  purpose  may  be  raised. 

The  Trustees  have  no  interest  to  subserve  in  this  matter  but  the 
interest  of  the  Church,  and  could  not  dictate  to  the  Assembly  either 
the  means  to  be  employed  or  the  connection  the  Department  shall 
have  with  the  University,  but  prefer  that  both  shall  originate,  or  at 
least  be  matured  by  the  Assembly,  expecting  to  adopt  and  be  satis- 
fied with  the  action  of  the  Assembly  in  the  premises.  The  charter 
authorizes  the  establishment  of  a  Theological  Department  under  such 
rules  and  regulations  as  may  be  agreed  upon  between  the  Church 
and  the  Board  of  Trustees— the  Church  may  name  such  professor- 
ship and  appoint  the  professor  if  desirable. 

In  connection  with  this  subject  the  Trustees  would  beg  leave  to 
report,  that  they  have  applied  for,  and  obtained,  an  amendment  to 
the  charter,  which  amendment  requires  all  appointments  of  Trus- 
tees of  this  institution  hereafter  to  be  made,  to  be  submitted  to  the 
General  Assembly  for  approval  or  rejection,  with  power  to  fill  the 
vacancies  when  the  appointments  made  by  the  Trustees  are  not  rat- 
ified. By  this  regulation  the  Trtistees  expect  to  maks  what  they  had. 
previously  provided  for  by  resolution  doubly  secure  and  certain,  that 
the  Board  shall  always  be  composed  of  members  of  the  Cumberland 
Presbyterian  Church.  This  would  be  desirable  under  other  circum- 
stances, but  particularly  for  an  institution  that  has  a  Theological  De- 
partment connected  with  it.  As  this  can  give  the  Assembly  but  little, 
if  any,  trouble,  and  as  the  Trustees  ardently  desire  to  place  the  Uni- 
versity in  such  a  condition  that  it  will  more  certainly  subserve  the 
interest  of  the  Church  when  the  present  Board  of  Trustcss,  who  have 
labored  to  build  up  an  institution  for  that  purpose,  shall  have  passed 
away,  and  in  all  coming  time,  it  is  hoped  that  the  Assembly  will  be 
disposed  to  accede  to  and  comply  with  this  new  arrangement.  All  of 
which  is  respectfully  submitted. 

R.    L.    Caiutiieiis,    J'lc.-^idciit    iif    tin-   lioitnl. 
J.  S.  McClaix,  Srrniiirji. 

--1S50,   pp.  44,   42. 

The  amendment  of  the  charter  of  Cumberland  University,  reported 
by   the  Board   of   Trustees,   was   approved,   as   the   following   shows: 

Resolved,  That  this  General  Assembly  approve  of  the  amended 
charter  of  Cumberland  University,  giving  this  body  the  right  of  con- 
firming or  rejecting  the  nominations  for  Trustees  of  said  University, 


THE  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY.  521 

and  that  we  will  hereafter  accepi  that  right.  After  discussion  it,  was 
adopted  almost  unanimously.^lboO,  p.   lei. 

On  the  acceptance  of  the  overture  of  the  General  Assembly  of  1849 
to  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  Cumberland  University,  as  reported  by 
this  Board,  the  General  Assembly  unanimously  adopted  the  follow- 
ing: 

ir/(nT(/.s',  The  General  Assembly  of  1S49  authorized  and  requested 
the  Trustees  of  Cumberland  College  and  Cumberland  University  to 
take  measures  for  the  establishment  of  Theological  Departments  in 
those  institutions;  and, 

ir/(('r«/.s.  The  Trustees  of  Cumberland  University  have  reported  to 
this  Assembly  their  acceptance  of  the  overtui'e  of  the  last  Assembly, 
and  their  readiness  to  co-operate  with  the  Assembly  in  this  enter- 
prise, and  it  is  understood  that  the  Trustees  of  Cumberland  College 
are  also  ready  to  co-operate  with  the  Assembly;   therefoi'e, 

lit'suJLX'd,  That  a  Committee  of  seven,  a  majority  of  whom  shall  be 
competent  to  act,  be  appointed  by  this  body  to  mature  a  plan  for 
the  establishment  of  Theological  Departments  in  said  institutions, 
and  report  the  result  of  their  deliberations  to  a  subsequent  Assembly. 

On  motion  Brothers  Roach,  Anderson,  and  were  appointed 

a  committee  to  report  suitable  nominations  to  constitute  said  Com- 
mittee. They  reported  R.  Beard,  D.D.,  T.  C.  Anderson,  Milton  Bird, 
Hon.  N.  Green,  Prof.  A.  Freeman,  David  Lowry  and  R.  R.  Lansden, 
w^hich  report  was  unanimously  adopted. — 1S.50,  p.  17. 

This  Committee  reported  to  the  General  Assembly  of  1852,  which  re- 
port was  amended  and  adopted  as  follows: 

Repout  of  Theological  Committee — 1852. 

Report  of  a  plan  for  the  establishment  of  a  Theological  School. 

The  Assembly  of  1849  having  submitted  an  overture  to  the  Trustees 
of  Cumberland  College  and  Cumberland  University,  authorizing  and 
requesting  their  co-operation  with  the  Assembly  in  the  establishment 
of  a  Theological  Department  in  either  or  both  of  those  institutions, 
under  the  control  of  that  body;  and  the  Trustees  of  Cumberland  Uni- 
versity having  reported  to  the  Assembly  of  1S50  their  acceptance  of 
the  overture,  and  their  readiness  to  co-operate  in  the  establishment 
of  such  Department  in  that  institution,  the  following  preamble  and 
resolution  were  unanimously  adopted: 

Whereas,  The  Assembly  of  1849  authorized  and  requested  the  Trus- 
tees of  Cumberland  College  and  Cumberland  University  to  take  meas- 
ures for  the  establishment  of  Theological  Departments  in  those  insti- 
tutions; and,  whereas,  the  Trustees  of  Cumberland  University  have 
reported  to  this  Assembly  their  acceptance  of  the  overture  of  the 
Assembly  of  1849,  and  their  readiness  to  co-operate  in  the  enterprise. 


5?2  PART  VI.,  AGENCIES  OF  THE  ASSEMBLY. 

aad  it  is  understood  that  tlie  Truscees  of  Cumberland  College  are  also 
ready  to  co-operate;   therefore, 

Rc.suind,  That  a  Committee  of  seven  (a  majority  of  whom  shall  be 
competent  to  act)  be  appointed  by  this  body,  to  mature  a  plan  for 
the  establishment  of  Theological  Departments  in  said  institutions, 
and  report  the  result  of  their  deliberations  to  a  subsequent  Assembly. 

In  pursuance  of  this  resolution,  R.  Beard,  D.D.,  Rev.  Milton  Bird, 
Hon.  N.  Green,  Prof.  Freeman,  R.  R.  Lansden,  Rev.  D.  L^wry,  and 
T.  C.  Andersen  were  appointed  said  Committee. 

As  a  partial  representation  in  the  Assembly  of  ISGl  was  anticipated, 
it  was  not  deemed  advisable  for  the  Committee  to  report  at  that 
session.  The  appointment  was  continued,  and  the  Committee  in- 
structed to  report  to  the  Assembly  of  1852.  Accordingly  after  mature 
deliberation,  your  Committee  respectfully  submit  the  following: 

Several  leading  questions  are  regarded  as  foreclosed  by  the  action 
of  previous  Assemblies. 

1.  It  has  been  decide'l  that  one  or  more  Schools  for  theological  in- 
struction are  desirable. 

2.  The  Assembly  has  decided  that  such  Schools  should  be  in  con- 
nection with  the  litei-ary  institutions  oi  the  Church,  and  made  over- 
tures with  that  intent. 

3.  It  has  provided  that  those  departments  shall  be  under  its  super- 
vision. 

4.  It  has  authorized  the  Trustees  of  Cumberland  University  and  Cum- 
berland College  to  take  measures  to  raise  an  endowment  fund  for  the 
establishment  of  Theological  Departments  in  these  institutions. 

The  plan  which  your  Committee  have  been  instructed  to  mature 
must  be  drawn  in  accordance  with  what  ha.,  been  done  in  the  premises. 

Two  cardinal  points  have  been  settled.  First,  the  Trustees  are  to 
create  the  endowment  fund;  and,  secondly,  the  Depariment  is  to  be 
subjected  to  the  control  of  the  Assembly.  Keeping  an  eye  upon  these 
two  cardinal  points,  the  Committee  recommend  the  following  plan: 

AKTICI.E    I. 

Section  1.  In  accordance  with  the  action  of  a  previous  Assembly, 
the  Trustees  of  Cumberland  Univei'sity  and  Cumberland  College  are 
hereby  authorized  to  appoint  efficient  agents  to  solicit  funds  in  the 
name  and  in  th<'^  behalf  of  the  Assembly,  for  the  endowment  of  Theo- 
logical Departments,  for  Liie  gratuitous  instruction  of  probationers 
fcr  the  ministry. 

Section  2.  Said  agents  shall  be  authorized  to  receive  contributions 
in  cash,  property,  or  in  individual  notes,  payable  in  such  installments 
as  may  suit  the  convenience  of  the  drawer. 

Section  .3.  Any  person,  Presbytery,  or  Synod  may  endow  a  pro- 
fessorship, which  shall  ever  afterward  be  known  by  such  name  as  the 
person  or  body  endowing  shall  designate. 


THE  THEOLOGICAL  SEJUXARY.  52iJ 

Section  4.  The  Trustees  of  each  of  the  institutions  named  are 
-authorized  to  raise,  in  the  manner  specified,  or  by  such  other  means 
.as  they  may  devise,  a  sum  sufficient  to  constitute  a  permanent  en- 
dowment, the  interest  of  which  alone  shall  be  devoted  to  the  estab- 
lishment and  maintenance  of  a  Theological  Department,  the  principal 
forever  to  remain  a  vested  fund. 

Section  5.  This  fund  shall  forever  be  kept  separate  and  distinct 
from  all  other  funds  of  the  University  or  College,  and  shall  be  sub- 
ject to  the  control  of  the  Assembly. 

ARTICLE    II. 

Section  1.  The  Trustees  of  Cumberland  University  and  of  Cum- 
berland College  may  receive  the  funds  as  collected,  hold  them  in  trust 
for  the  Assembly,  and  manage  them  for  ■  the  benefit  of  the  aforesaid 
Departments  until  such  time  as  the  Assembly  shall,  at  its  discretion, 
appoint,  and  cause  to  be  incorporated,  a  separate  Board  of  Trustees 
to  manage  each  Department  and  its  funds. 

Section  2.  If  the  Assembly  shall  appoint  a  separate  Board,  v/hen 
it  is  incorporated,  the  Trustees  of  the  University  or  College  shall  de- 
liver over  to  the  said  Board  all  funds  raised  for  the  Theological  De- 
partment, both  principal  and  interest,  except  so  much  of  the  interest 
as  may  have  been  expended  for  the  benefit  of  the  Department;  also, 
whatevev  Theological  library  may  have  been  collected,  or  other  prop- 
erty, and  thenceforth  said  Department,  v/ith  the  funds  appertaining 
thereto,  shall  be  under  the  direction  of  said  Board. 

Section  3.  This  Board  shall  consist  of  five  members,  three  of  vi^hom 
shall  reside  in  the  vicinity  of  the  institution,  and  at  least  one  shall 
be  a  minister  of  the  Gospel,  and  all  shall  be  subject  to  removal  at  the 
option  of  the  Assembly. 

ARTICLE    III. 

Section  1.  When  the  funds  raised  for  the  endowmeht  of  a  Depart- 
ment in  either  of  the  aforesaid  institutions  will  justify  it,  the  Depart- 
ment shall  be  organized  by  the  appointment  of  a  Professor  of  Sys- 
tematic Theology,  who  shall  devote  the  whole  of  his  time  and  atten- 
tion to  the  School,  for  which  he  shall  receive  a  competent  salary,  to 
be  fixed  by  the  Board. 

Section  2.  So  soon  as  the  funds  will  justify  it,  a  second  Professor 
shall  be  appointed  and  put  upon  a  salary,  and  then  he  shall  be  re- 
quired to  devote  the  whole  of  his  time  to  the  interests  of  the  school. 
A  third,  and  if  need  be  a  fourth,  may  be  employed,  as  the  labors  of  the 
Department  may  require,  and  the  state  of  the  funds  may  authorize. 

Section  3.  After  the  establishment  of  the  professorship  of  Syste- 
matic Theology,  the  second  shall  be  that  of  Biblical  Literature,  in- 
cluding the  Greek  and  Hebrew  Scriptures;  the  third.  Sacred  Rhetoric 
and  Pastoral  Theology. 


524  PART  VI.,  AGENCIES  OE  THE  ASSEMBLY. 

AKTICl.E     IV. 

Section  1.  Should  the  agents  employed  to  collect  funds  for  the  es- 
tablishment of  a  Theological  Department,  in  either  of  the  institutions- 
aforesaid,  fail  to  secure  an  endowment  adequate  to  the  support  of  at 
least  one  Professor  (and  less  than  ten  thousand  dollars  shall  be 
deemed  inadequate)  in  that  case  the  Assembly  may,  after  a  reasonable 
time  has  been  allowed,  transfer  whatever  funds  may  have  been  col- 
lected to  the  Theological  Department  of  the  other  institution. 

Section  2.  In  the  event  that  both  of  the  institutions  aforesaid  should 
fail  to  raise  the  amount  requisite  to  authorize  the  organization  of  a 
Department,  then  in  that  case  the  Assembly  may  combine  the  funds 
raised  by  the  two,  and  endow  a  Department  in  whichever  it  may 
select.  Or  if  the  funds,  when  combined,  are  insufficient  for  the  estab- 
lishment of  a  Department  the  Assembly  may  order  them  to  be  invested 
until  an  adequate  sum  shall  be  accumulated  for  the  endowment  of  a 
Department  wherever  it  shall  ordain. 

Section  3.  The  agents  employed  in  behalf  of  each  of  the  aforesaid 
institutions  shall  be  furnished  with  a  copy  of  the  two  preceding  sec- 
tions of  this  article,  and  shall  be  instructed  to  inform  contributors 
of  the  conditions  under  which  contributions  are  made,  as  set  forth 
and  provided  for  in  the  aforesaid  sections. 

AKTU  l.K    V. 

Section  1.  As  the  reputation  and  efficiency  of  a  Theological  School 
will  depend  chiefly  r.pon  the  character  and  competency  uf  the  Pro- 
fessors, great  circumspection  and  deliberation  shall  be  exercised  in 
their  appointment,  it  is  therefore  recommended  thai  appointments 
shall  be  made  by  the  joint  action  of  the  lioard  and  the  Assembly. 

Section  2.  As  the  Assembly  is  not  a  permanent  body,  and  as  it  is 
deemed  impracticable  for  the  official  correspondence  and  invesciga- 
tion  essential  to  a  judicious  selection,  to  be  had  during  one  of  its  brief 
and  hurried  sessions,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Board  to  hold  the 
correspondence  and  make  the  necessary  investigation,  after  v.hich 
they  shall  exercise  the  right  of  nomination,  and  when  practicable  they 
shall  announce  their  nomination  in  one  or  more  of  the  newspapers  of 
the  Church,  a  sufficient  time  before  the  meeting  of  the  Assembly,  at 
which  the  nomination  is  expected  to  be  confirmed. 

Section  3.  With  the  nomination  the  Board  shall  transmit  to  the 
Assembly  all  the  information  in  their  possession  respecting  the  ciiar- 
acter,  competency,  and  orthodoxy  of  the  nominee,  tc  admit  of  in- 
quiry and  reflection  on  the  part  of  the  members  of  the  Assembly,  before 
they  shall  have  met  together. 

Section  4.  If,  in  the  judgment  of  a  majority  of  the  Assembly,  the 
nominee   shall   be   deemed   worthy   and    loinpetent    for   the   office   after 


THli    THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY.  52o 

the  nomination  shall  be  contlrmed,  the  Professor-elect  shall  be  duly 
inducted  into  office  by  the  Board. 

Section  5.  But  if  the  nomination  is  not  confirmed  the  Board  shall 
have  the  right  of  making  another. 

Section  (>.  If  a  vacancy  sliall  occur  when  the  Assembly  is  not  in 
session,  the  Board  shall  be  competent  to  make  a  temporary  appoint- 
ment, to  expire  with  the  next  session  of  the  Assembly  unless  it  shall 
be  confirmed  by  that  body,  but  if  at  any  time  the  Assembly 
shall  fail  to  act  upon  the  nomination,  in  that  event  the  ap- 
pointment of  the  Board  shall  be  valid  until  the  Assembly  does  act 
upon  the  nomination. 

Section  7.  Each  Professor,  before  entering  upon  the  duties  of  his 
•office,  shall  solemnly  adopt,  in  such  form  as  the  Assembly  may  pre- 
scribe, the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Confession  of  Faith  and  Form  of 
Church  Government. 

ARTICLE    VI. 

Section  1.  That  the  theology  taught  in  the  school  may  be  subject 
to  the  judgment  of  the  Assembly,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Pro- 
fessor of  Systematic  Theology  to  write  out  his  lectures  to  the  classes, 
and  when  required  he  shall  submit  them  to  the  examination  of  the 
Board  or  a  Committee  of  the  Assembly. 

Section  2.  Professors,  as  other  ministers,  will  still  be  amenable  to 
the  Presbytery  for  immorality  or  heresy.  But  for  their  official  char- 
acter they  shall  be  amenable  to  the  Assembly,  and  upon  the  recom- 
mendation of  the  Board  or  a  committee  of  the  Assembly,  they  shall 
be  subject  to  removal  for  incompetency,  gross  neglect  of  official  duty, 
or  such  irregularity  in  deportment  or  error  in  doctrine  as  shall  render 
their  continuance  in  office  detrimental  to  the  interests  of  the  School. 

Section  3.  As  Professors  may  be  removed  whenever  the  Assembly 
shall  deem  it  expedient,  appointments  shall  be  made  for  an  indefinite 
time,  except  in  cases  where  the  Board  may  recommend  an  appointment 
for  a  definite  period. 

AP.TKl.E     VII. 

Section  1.  The  course  of  instruction  in  the  Theological  School  shall 
embrace  the  following  subjects: 

The  Greek  and  Hebrew  Scriptures;  Biblical  Literature;  Ecclesiasti- 
cal and  Profane  History;  Mental  Philosophy;  Systematic  Theology; 
Sacred  Rhetoric;  Natural  and  Pastoral  Theology,  and  Church  Gov- 
ernment. 

Section  2.  The  Board  may,  with  the  approbation  of  the  Assembly, 
hereafter  embrace  additional  subjects.  Those  who  wish  may  pursue 
a  limited  course,  omitting  the  Greek  and  Hebrew  Scriptures. 

Section  3.  Each  student  on  leaving  said  institution  shall  receive 
from  the  Professors  a  certificate,  setting  forth  the  subject  he  has 
studied   and   his   proficiency   *:hcrein. 


520  PART  /■/.,  ACENCIKS  OF  TM/i  ASSEMJSLY. 

Section  4.  Students  in  the  Literary  Departments  of  the  ITniversity 
or  College,  who  are  preparing  for  the  ministry,  shall  have  the  privi- 
lege of  attending  the  lectures  of  the  Professors  in  the  Theological 
School.  And  such  as  may  be  pursuing  a  limited  course  in  the  College 
may,  at  the  same  time,  have  one  or  more  studies  in  the  Theological 
Department. 

Section  .5.  No  fees  shall  ever  be  charged  for  instruction  in  this  De- 
partment. The  salaries  of  officers  shall  be  paid  out  of  the  proceeds 
of  the  endowment  fund:  and  until  all  salaries  due  are  paid  no  appro- 
priations for  other  purposes  shall  be  made  out  of  said  fund  without 
the  consent  of  those  ofTicers  holding  claims  upon  said  fund. 

Section  6.  When  necessary,  each  student  may  be  required  to  pay  a 
small  sum  to  constitute  a  fund  to  pay  the  contingent  expenses  of  the 
Department. 

Section  7.  The  collegiate  year  in  the  Theological  Department  shall 
embrace  nine  consecutive  monthb,  allowing  the  students  and  Pro- 
fessors to  spend  three  months  in  the  practical  labors  of  the  ministry. 

In  pursuance  of  the  duty  assigned  them  by  a  previous  Assembly, 
the  Committee  respectfully  submit  the  above  plan  for  the  considera- 
tion and  action  of  the  Assembly. 

While  it  provides  for  two  Departments  In  accordance  with  the  pre- 
vious action  of  the  Assembly,  the  Committee  are  agreed  in  opinion 
that  it  would  be  inexpedient  to  attempt  the  contemporaneous  estab- 
lishment of  more  than  one. 

The  Committee  would  therefore  recommend  the  Assembly  to  adopt 
immediate  measures  to  secure  the  establishment  of  a  Theological 
School  in  connection  with  either  or  the  aforesaid  institutions. 

And  the  Committee  would  earnestly  urge  upon  the  attention  of  the 
Assembly  the  importance  of  taking  such  action  as  will  afford  our 
probationers  for  the  ministry  the  theological  instruction  which  has  so 
long  been  called  for  by  the  highest  interest.-:  of  the  Church. 

And  your  Committee,  having  fulfilled  the  duty  assigned  them,  ask 
to  be  discharged.  Ruiiaui)  Beakd,  Chinrman, 

D.    LowRV, 

T.      C.      A.NDEMSOX, 

Mil. TON    Bird. 

— 1852,  pp,  36-43. 

This  report  was  reprinted  in  the  General  A.iierably  Minutes  of  1895, 
pp.  133-137. 

In  1874,  Dr.  Beard,  the  Chairman  of  the  Committee,  wrote  the  fol- 
lowing: "The  day  before  the  meeting  of  the  General  Assembly,  in 
1852,  a  majority  of  this  Committee,  consisting  of  the  Chairman  and 
Messrs.  Anderson,  Bird,  and  Lowry,  met  at  Nashville,  and  framed 
the  plan  of  the  present  Theological  Department  in  Cumberland  Uni- 
versity."— Fri»n  lii(tf;rfii)hir(il  Sketclies,  Srrviid  Series,  p.  351. 


THE  THEOLOGICAL  SEJHNAA'V.  527 

In  compliance  with  the  report,  the  General  Assembly  determined  to 
establish  but  one  Theological  Seminary.  By  vote  of  the  Assem- 
bly, this  one  was  located  at  Lebanon,  Tennessee. — 1852,  p.  18. 

Referring  to  the  foregoing  "Plan,"  adopted  by  the  General  Assem- 
bly of  1852,  which  provides  that  "the  Department  [Theological]  is  to 
be  subjected  to  the  control  of  the  Assembly,"  Rev.  B.  W.  McDonnold, 
D.D.,  LL.D.,  for  seven  j^ears  the  President  of  Cumberland  Univer&iLy, 
said:  "The  fundamental  laws  of  the  institution  [Theological  Semi- 
nary], to  which  its  charter  v:as  required  to  conform,  were  laid  dovv^n 
by  the  General  Assembly  when  the  School  was  established." — Fnnn 
Hixtor!/  of  the  Cunihcrhind  Prcxhi/teridii  C1iiii<-]i,  p.  .522. 

I.  The  Board  of  Trustees  of  the  Theological  Seminary. 

"According  to  the  organic  law  of  the  institution,  the  Seminary  is  to 
be  'subjected  to  the  control  of  the  Assembly;'  but  is  to  be  operated 
by  the  Trustees,  under  the  University  charter,  as  the  Theological  De- 
partment of  Cumberland  University."- — Fruin  Hit  Official  ('(ttaioi/nc  of 
(' It  III  he  rl  a  11(1  L'niveyxitij. — 1898,  p.  40. 

The  Churcb's  Theological  School  is  a  department  of  the  Univer- 
sity only  so  far  as  such  relation  is  supposed  to  be  serviceable  to  this 
School,  but  it  is  something  more  than  a  mere  department.  It  has 
relations  independent  of  the  University.  The  propriety  of  having  a 
separate  board  of  trust  for  it  has  often  been  discussed,  but  its  own 
interests  are  against  such  a  separation.  The  charter  for  this  Depart- 
ment differs  greatly  in  its  provisions  from  the  charters  of  the  other 
departments. — From  McDonnold's  Historii,  p.  522. 

See  also  General  Assembly  Minutes,  1896,  pp.  23-27. 

In  1888  the  General  Assembly  concurred  in  the  following,  submitted 
by  the  Committee  on  Theological  Seminary: 

Of  the  wisdom  of  these  provisions  contained  in  "The  Plan"  we  as- 
sume there  can  be  no  doubt.  They  are  the  organic  and  fundamental 
laws  of  your  body  in  reference  to  said  School,  and  under  them  the 
institution  has  been  commended  to  the  confidence  of  the  whole 
Church,  and  the  contributions  in  money  and  property  received  under 
such  provisions  have  been  and  are  a  sacred  trust,  to  be  used  for  the 
purposes  above  indicated.  The  School  is  morally  and  legally  respon- 
sible to  the  General  Assembly,  which  is  made  the  guardian  and  ex- 
ecutor of  this  trust.— 1888,  p.  39. 

The  Committee  on  TheclogiCcil  Seminary  made  a  report  as  follows, 
which  was  approved: 

In  subsequent  actions  of  the  Assembly,  and  in  the  reports  of  the 
Trustees  of  Cumberland  University,  and  in  the  ccri-espondence  of  Dr. 
Richard  Beard,  who  was  the  Seminary's  first  Professor  of  Systematic 
Theology,    it   is   manifest   that   the   Trustees   and   the  Assembly   have 


528  PART  VI.,  AGENCIES  OE  THE  ASSEMBLY. 

uniformly  regarded  the  Compact  entered  into  in  1852  as  binding  upon 
both  parties,  and  that  in  the  management  of  the  Theological  School 
this  Department  sustains  to  Cumberland  University  a  relation  al- 
together different  from  that  of  other  departments,  it  being  peculiarly 
under  the  control  of  ihe  Assembly,  in  the  manner  of  electing  Pro- 
fessors, in  defining  professorships,  in  adopting  text-books,  etc.  [As- 
sembly's Minutes  of  1853,  p.  41;  Minutes  of  1854,  pp.  29,  64-70;  Minutes 
of  1S36,  p.  32;  Minutes  of  1857,  pp.  48,  49;  Minutes  of  1859,  p.  52.]— 1895, 
p.  38. 

(1)   The  Boahi)  oi'  Tku.stees  .shall  consist  of  .nine  .memueijs. 

[Note. — See  Charter  of  Cumberland  University,  Section  2. — .1.  V.  S.] 

(2)  Al'roi.NTME.NTS  TO   FILL    VACAMTES    IX   THE   BOAIID    JUST    ['.K    KKI'DKIEI) 

TO    THE    GENEKAL    A.SSE.Mr.I,V     FUl!     ITS    t  ON  Fl  IIMA  ITO.N. 

[NoTK. — See  Cliarter  of  Cumberland  University,  Section  3. — .J.  V.  S.] 

(3)  The   Board   of   Tklstees   i;ei'oi:t   to   the   Geneu.m,   Assemih.v   ix 

KEFEHEME    TO    THE    TllEOLOGUAI.    StllOOL. 

Before  the  Civil  War,  it  was  the  custom  of  the  Board  of  Trustees 
to  report  on  no  department  of  the  University  except  the  Theological 
School.     The  following  is  the  introduction  to  one  of  the  reports: 

According  to  a  requirement  of  the  General  Assembly,  the  Board  of 
Trustees  ask  leave  to  make  their  report  in  relation  to  the  Theological 
Department  of  Cumberland  University. — 1854,  p.   G8. 

But  after  the  Civil  War  the  custom  became  established  of  reporting 
certain  facts  in  reference  to  other  departments. 

The  Board  of  Visitors  in  1895  recommended  "that  hereafter  the  re- 
port of  the  Board  of  Trustees  to  the  General  Assembly  shall  embrace 
the  Seminary  only,  and  that  its  financial  condition  be  fully  set  forth 
in  each  report." — 1895,  p.  132. 

The  General  Assembly  instructed  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  Cumber- 
land University  hereafter  to  make  a  detailed  financial  exhibit  annually 
to  the  General  Assembly,  showing  its  [the  Theological  Seminary]  en- 
dowment, investments,  salaries,  receipts,  expenditures,  and  liabilities. — 
1894,  p.  35. 

(4)  The    Genei;.\l    Assemisly    may    atpoixt    a    sepailvte    Boaud    of 

Tkistees. 

[Note.— See  "The  Plan"  of  1852,  Article  II.,  Sections  1.  2,  and  3,  p. 
523.— J.  V.  S.] 

In  1873  the  Committee  on  Education  submitted  a  report,  which  wa? 
adopted,  and  in  which  the  following  is  found: 


THE  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY.  529 

Your  Committee  are  of  opinion  that  it  would  be  much  better  to  have 
a  separate  Board  of  Trustees  for  the  control  of  the  funds,  appointment 
of  Professors,  etc.,  of  your  Theological  School  or  Schools.  This  Board 
should  have  no  connection  with  the  literary  departments  of  any  of 
your  institutions,  but,  being  appointed  by  you,  should  have  control 
of  all  regularly  established  Theological  Departments  in  any  of  your 
institutions.  But,  as  this  may  not  be  practicable  at  present,  we  do 
not  recommend  any  definite  action  during  this  Assembly  relative 
thereto.  We  would,  however,  through  you,  earnestly  commend  this 
matter  to  the  consideration  oi'  the  Church,  believing  that  the  adoption, 
in  due  time,  of  this  plan  would  tend  much  to  promote  the  growth  and 
permanence  of  your  Theological  School  or  Schools. — 1873,  p.  29. 

The   following   recommendation   was   adopted,   viz.: 

That  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  Cumberland  University  be  directed 
to  consider  the  advisability  of  placing  the  Literary  School  imder  the 
control  of  the  Synods  of  Kentucky  and  Tennessee,  Alabama  and  Mis- 
sissippi, in  order  tliat  the  Theological  School  may  stand  apart  as  the 
property  of  the  whole  Church  with  a  distinct  Board  of  Managers; 
and  that  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  Cumberland  University  be  instructed 
to  report  to  the  next  meeting  of  the  General  Assembly,  if  there  are 
legal  barriers  preventing  a  separation  between  the  Literary  and  The- 
ological Departments. — 1894,  pp.  35,  36. 

The  Board  of  Trustees  has  considered  this  recommendation  from 
every  point  of  view,  and  it  has  been  unable  to  see  any  possible  good 
that  would  come  to  Cumberland  University  from  carrying  it  out.  It 
would  result  in  a  dismembering  of  the  University,  a  surrendering  of 
its  name  and  history,  and  the  undoing  of  all  it  has  achieved  in  a  half 
century.  The  Board  of  Trustees  cannot  understand  how  this  would 
benefit  the  University,  the  upbuilding  of  which  is  a  sacred  trust  com- 
mitted to  them  and  their  successors  for  all  time,  and  it  is  equally 
difficult  to  see  how  the  Church  would  thereby  receive  greater  benefits, 
or  the  Theological  School  be  any  more  the  School  of  the  Church  than 
it  is  now. 

There  are  of  course  serious  and  insuperable  legal  barriers  in  the 
way.  The  Board  has  no  power  to  destroy  or  impair  in  any  degree  the 
trust  committed  to  them,  and  no  power  to  commit  it  to  the  keeping 
of  others.  It  would  be  a  breach  of  trust  to  do  so.  The  Board  is 
clothed  with  legal  rights  and  powers  of  which  it  cannot  divest  itself, 
and  which  it  must  respect  or  prove  itself  unfaithful,  but  these  do 
not  include  any  right  or  power  to  put  any  one  of  the  departments  of 
the  University  under  the  control  of  a  Synod,  or  \inder  a  distinct 
Board  of  Managers.  The  plain  duty  of  the  Board  is  to  preserve  the 
integrity  of  the  institution  as  a  unit,  and  administer  the  trust  as  a 
whole.  And  so  the  policy  has  been  from  the  beginning  to  unify  the 
34 


530  PART  VI.,  AGENCIES  OF  THE  ASSEMBLY. 

several  schools,  or  departments  to  the  greatest  extent  possible  without 
an  entire  destruction  of  the  lines  of  separation.  It  is  intended  that 
each  department  shall  be  helpful  to  every  other:  and  in  a  certain 
sense  the  mutual  dependence  of  one  school  upon  another  is  encouraged,.  . 
thus  giving  the  Faculty  occasions  and  a  motive  for  working  together 
harmoniously  in  support  of  the  whole  University,  and  preventing  hurt- 
ful rivalries  and  jealousies.  The  Board  does  not  regard  any  one 
school  as  less  or  more  deserving  than  another,  on  the  contrary  the 
purpose  and  policy  have  been  to  develop  and  support  all  alike,  and 
to  encourage  the  display  of  a  similar  spirit  on  the  part  of  the  entire 
Faculty.  And  so  in  harmony  with  this  policy  it  has  been  the  de- 
sire of  the  Board  to  unify  the  students,  by  encouraging  the  most 
intimate  relations,  by  bringing  them  together  on  all  suitable  oc- 
casions; by  stimulating  in  their  minds  a  common  interest  and  pride 
in  the  name,  the  history,  and  prospects  of  the  University,  and,  by 
having  them  remember  at  all  times  that  they  are  to  be  the  sons 
of  Cumberland  University,  and  not  of  a  school  or  department  thereof. 
.This  long  cstab'.ished  policy,  we  believe,  has  greatly  aided  the  Uni- 
versity in  its  '\,ork,  has  strengthened  it  in  its  departments,  and  has 
enabled  it  to  send  throughout  the  country  a  ^jreat  body  of  young 
men,  whether  as  alumni,  or  as  former  students  only,  whose  loyalty 
to  Cumberland  University  and  her  interest  is  not  only  unsurpassed, 
but  is  the  source  of  perpetual  congratulation  to  the  Board  and 
the  Faculty. 

The  wise  men  who  founded  the  University,  more  than  fifty  years 
ago,  and  who  managed  its  affairs  through  the  greater  part  of  its  first 
half  century,  clearly  outlined  its  aims,  and  declared  its  policy  in  har- 
mony with  the  views  herein  expressed,  and  the  present  Board  have 
seen  no  reason  for  departing  from  either.  They  believe  that  success 
has  and  will  attend  their  efforts  by  reason  of  their  loyalty  to  the 
policy  thus  established,  and  they  are  unwilling  to  abandon  it,  indeed, 
the  best  interests  of  the  University,  and  fidelity  to  the  trust  which 
they  are  called  to  execute,  forbid  that  they  should  do  so.  It  is  not 
considered  that  the  action  of  the  last  Assembly  was  intended  to 
represent  the  views  of  that  body  as  being  favorable  to  a  separation  of 
departments,  as  therein  suggested,  but  simply  as  a  suggestive  inquiry, 
and  so  the  Board  have  thought  it  proper  not  only  to  state  the  legal 
difficulties,  but  also  to  respectfully  make  known  their  views  and  oppos- 
ing policy,  with  the  hope  of  discouraging  any  further  agitation  of  the 
question.— 1895,  pp.  129,  130. 

Upon  the  foregoing  the  General  Assembly  adopted  the  following 
recommendation : 

The  Committee  has  also  considered  the  answer  of  the  Board  of 
Trustees  of  Cumberland  University  to  the  recommendation  of  the 
General  Assembly  of  1894,  relative  to  the  advisability  and  legality  of 


THE  THEOLOc;iCAL  SEMINARY.  531 

placing  the  Theological  School  under  a  separate  Board  of  Managers, 
and  as  a  conclusion  of  expediency  and  law  the  Committee  recommend 
that  the  General  Assembly  concur  in  said  answer  of  said  Board  of 
Trustees.— 1895,   p.    40. 

(5)   The    Amkndkd    Ciiakteh    of    Cumheiu.am)    I'm veksity. 

Section  1.  Be  it  enacted  by  the  General  Assembly  of  the  State  of 
Tennessee,  That  the  present  Trustees,  and  their  successors,  of  Cum- 
berland University,  at  Lebanon,  be  a  body  politic  and  corporate,  by 
the  name  and  style  of  the  Trustees  of  Cumberland  University,  and 
by  that  name  it  shall  have  succession,  sue  and  be  sued,  contract  and 
be  contracted  with,  hold  property,  both  real  and  personal,  whether 
situated'  in  this  or  any  other  State,  Territory,  or  country,  receive  and 
make  titles  to  the  same,  and  do  all  other  acts  and  things  incident 
to  such  corporations,  by  the  general  laws  relating  to  bodies  corporate. 
Donations  or  conveyances,  by  deed  or  will,  shall  be  held  good,  whether 
the  corporate  name  is  correctly  used  or  not;  provided  enough  appears 
to  make  it  certain  that  the  institution  was  intended,  no  matter  what 
words  of  description  may  be  adopted. 

Section  2.  Be  it  further  enacted.  That  so  soon  as  the  present  num- 
ber of  Trustees  is  reduced  to  nine»  by  deaths  or  resignations,  that 
number  shall  constitute  the  Board,  any  five  of  whom  shall  be  a 
quorum  for  the  transaction  of  business.  The  Board  shall  elect,  out 
of  its  own  body,  a  President,  Secretary,  and  one  or  more  Treasurers. 
It  may  also  appoint  or  remove  at  pleasure,  a  President  of  the  institu- 
tion, and  as  many  Professors  as  may  be  necessary,  who  shall  con- 
stitute the  Faculty,  and  also  such  tutors  and .  teachers  as  may  be 
needed,  and  assign  to  all  their  respective  duties,  and  fix  and  provide 
for  the  payment  of  their  salaries.  It  may  likewise  appoint  such  agents 
and  servants  as  may  be  considered  necessary.  The  Board  and  Faculty, 
by  their  joint  action,  shall  have  the  authority  to  confer  all  such 
literary  and  honorary  degrees  of  distinction  as  are  usually  conferred 
by  other  Universities  in  the  United  States.  The  Board  shall  have 
power  to  adopt  such  by-laws  as  may  be  deemed  necessary  for  the 
government  of  the  institution,  and  change  the  same  at  pleasure.  The 
members  of  the  Faculty  may  be  present  at  the  meetings  of  the  Board, 
and  participate  in  its  deliberations  and  discussions,  but  shall  not  be 
allowed  to  vote. 

Section  3.  Be  it  further  enacted.  That  all  vacancies  in  the  Board 
of  Trustees  shall  be  filled  by  resolution,  to  be  entered  upon  the  minutes, 
but  all  such  appointments  shall  be  submitted  by  report  to  the  next 
ensuing  session  of  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Cumberland  Presby- 
terian Church  for  confirmation  or  rejection. 

Section  4.  Be  it  further  enacted,  That  the  Board  may  take  such 
measures  as  they  may  deem  most  effectual  for  the  ample  endowment 
of  the  University,  or  any  of  its  departments.     That  such  endowment 


532  PART  I -J.,  AGENCIES  OF  THE  ASSEMBLY. 

fund  shall  be  under  the  control  and  management  of  the  Board,  for 
the  interest  of  the  institution,  but  the  principal  of  which  shall  not  be 
diminished,  but  only  the  interest  or  income  of  such  investments  as 
may  be  made.  In  making  investments  the  directions  of  the  donors 
shall  be  complied  with,  when  any  such  are  expressed. 

Section  5.  Be  it  further  enacted.  That  any  person  or  persons,  cor- 
poration, or  Church  judicatory,  may  establish  professorships  of  any 
kind,  in  said  institution,  with  the  consent  and  approbation  of  the 
Trustees  and  Faculty  by  endowing  the  same. 

Section  6.  Be  it  further  enacted.  That  the  Trustees  may,  at  any 
time,  establish  departments  of  Theology,  Law,  Medicine,  or  Agricul- 
ture, in  the  University,  and  adopt  measures  for  the  endowment  of  the 
same,  separately  from  the  general  endowment  of  the  institution,  and 
any  property  or  money  given  for  such  pui'pose,  shall  be  confined  by 
the  Trustees  strictly  and  singly  to  that  object,  according  to  the  wishes 
of  the  donors.  Professors  in  such  departments  shall  be  appointed  by 
the  Board,  with  such  compensation  as  may  be  agreed  upon. 

Section  7.  Be  it  further  enacted,  That  the  Trustees  and  Faculty,  by 
joint  action,  shall  prescribe  the  course  of  study  for  the  Preparatory 
Department,  and  the  College  proper,  which  shall  be  as  thorough  as 
any  other  first-class  institution  in  the  United  States.  The  course 
prescribed  must  be  taken  before  diplomas  can  be  conferred.  They 
may  also  establish  a  separate  scientific  course  for  such  as  do  not 
choose  to  take  the  regular  collegiate  course,  and  confer  special 
diplomas  on   such   as  may  pass  through  the   same  with   approbation. 

Section  8.  Be  it  further  enacted,  That  the  Theological  Faculty  shall 
consist  of  the  President  of  the  University,  and  the  professors  in  that 
Department,  and  the  Law  Faculty,  of  the  President  and  the  Pro- 
fessors of  Law;  and  so  of  any  other  department  that  may  be  es- 
tablished. 

Section  9.  Be  it  further  enacted,  That  the  money  and  property,  con- 
stituting the  genei'al  endowment  fund,  or  that  of  any  particular  de- 
partment or  professorship,  shall  never  be  diverted  from  the  object  fo." 
which  it  was  given  or  raised,  to  any  other  purpose,  without  the  con- 
sent of  the  donor.  But  in  the  event  that  any  such  professorship  or 
department  should  be  discontinued,  or  fail  to  exist,  the  Trustees  shall 
have  the  power  to  determine  what  other  application  shall  be  made  of 
such  funds,  raised  or  given  for  its  endowment,  for  the  interests  of 
the    institution. 

The  foregoing  is  a  true  and  perfect  copy  of  the  Act  of  Incorporation 
and   Charter  of  Cumberland  University. 

By  order  of  the  Board. 

AxDKEw  B.  Maktix,   I'rcs'nhiif  of  tltc  liixird  nf  'rnixttr.'i. 

Attest:  A.   F.   Clay  well,   Rccirfdrii. 

[Note. — Any  person  desiring  to  convey  by  deed,  or  gift  by  will,  any- 
thing to  the  Theological   School  would  do  well  to  observe  the  follow- 


THE  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY.  ^^s 

ing  form:  I  give  and  bequeath  to  the  Trustees  of  Cumberland  Uni- 
versity, Lebanon,  Tennessee,  the  (.here  describe  the  property,  or  state 
the  amount  given),  to  be  held  in  trust  by  them  as  a  permanent  en- 
dowment fund  for  the  benefit  of  the  Theological  Department  in  said 
University. — J.  V.  S.] 

2.  The  Faculty  of  the  Theological  Seminary. 

"Be  it  further  enacted,  That  the  Theological  Faculty  shall  con- 
sist of  the  President  of  the  University,  and  the  Professors  of  that  De- 
partment."— V)-i)))\   ihv  Cliartcr  of  CiiiiiherUind   Unirc);sitij,  Section  8. 

[Note. — According  to  the  Charter  of  Cumberland  University,  as 
quoted  above,  the  head  of  the  Faculty  is  called  "President;"  and  this 
official  was  so  designated  until  1873,  when  "the  Board  abolished  the 
office  of  President,  and  created  the  office  of  Chancellor,"  and  elected 
Nathan  Green,  LL.D.,  to  that  place.  In  his  annual  report,  in  1874, 
speaking  on  this  point,  the  Chancellor  said:  "In  reorganizing  the 
Faculty,  tiie  Board  abolished  the  office  of  President  and  created  the 
office  of  Chancellor,  and  called  the  undersigned  to  that  position."^ 
1874,  p.  67.— J.  V.  S.J 

(1)     RF.V.       Rk  ll.MM)       BKAKI),       D.D.,       elected       AXI)       CONMIiMEI)       AS       A 

Pkofessoi;. 

In  1853  the  Board  of  Trustees,  in  its  report  to  the  General  Assembly, 
said : 

The  Board  of  Trustees  would  report  to  the  Assembly  that  in  the 
discharge  of  what  they  conceived  to  be  their  duty,  they  elected  a  Pro- 
fessor of  Systematic  Theology.  They  first  elected  Rev.  F.  R.  Cossitt, 
D.D.,  and  caused  the  same  to  be  published  in  the  papers.  Dr.  Cossitt 
was  from  home,  and  on  his  return  responded  to  that  nomination,  and 
declined  to  permit  his  name  to  go  before  the  Assembly.  A  meeting 
of  the  Board  was  immediately  called,  and  the  Rev.  Richard  Beard, 
D.D.,  was  elected.  And  the  Board  takes  pleasure  in  announcing  to 
the  Assembly  that  they  have  obtained  his  consent  to  be  nominated 
for  the  professorship  aforementioned;  and  do  hereby  nominate  him, 
and  ask  the  Assembly  to  confirm  the  same. — 1853,  p.  40. 

This  matter  was  referred  to  the  Committee  on  Education,  whose  re- 
port thereon  was  adopted,  and  is  as  follows: 

From  a  communication  received  from  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  the 
Theological  Department  of  Cumberland  University,  they  learn  that 
said  Board  has  nominated  for  your  approval  the  Rev.  Richard  Beard, 
D.D.,  Professor  of  Systematic  Theology  in  said  Department,  and  your 
Committee  cannot  too  highly  recommend  him  to  your  favorable  notice, 
as  being  well  qualified  to  fill  that  difficult  and  responsible  station. 
They  hope,  therefore,  that  your  Reverend  Body  will  confirm  the 
nomination    of    the    Trustees. — 1853,    p.    39. 


534  PART  VI.,  AGENCIES  OE  THE  ASSEJinLY. 

The  Board  take  great  pleasure  in  announcing  formally  to  the  Assem- 
bly, that  on  the  13th  day  of  March,  1854,  Rev.  Richard  Beard,  D.D., 
was  regularly  inducted  into  the  office  of  Professor  of  Systematic  The- 
ology in  Cumberland  University. — 1S54,  p.  69. 

Dr.  Beard  continued  to  fill  this  position  until  his  death,  December  2, 
1S80. 

(2)  Rev.  B.  W.  McDox.noi.d  ki.ectku  a.M)  co.\fii;.\ii:i)  as  a  Professor. 

Hon.  R.  L.  Caruthers  offered  the  following  resolution,  which  was 
adopted: 

Rvmlced,  That  the  nomination  of  the  Rev.  Benjamin  W.  McDonnold, 
A.M.,  by  the  Trustees  of  Cumberland  University  for  Professor  of  Pas- 
toral Theology  and  Sacred  Rhetoric,  in  the  Theological  Department 
of  Cumberland  University,  be  confirmed  by  this  General  Assembly, 
and  that  he  be  regularly  inaugurated  at  such  time  as  the  Trustees  may 
direct.— 1860,  p.  29. 

Dr.   McDonnold   resigned   in   1873. 

(3)  Re\-.  S.  G.  Brit.NEv,  D.D.,  elected  a.nd  coxfiumed  as  a  Puofessoh. 

The  Board  of  Trustees  reported  the  election  of  Rev.  S.  G.  Burney, 
D.D.,  to  the  Chair  of  Biblical  Literature. — 1877,  p.  78. 

The  General  Assembly  confirmed  the  action  of  the  Board. — 1877,  p. 
24.  . 

Dr.  Burney  was  transferred  to  the  Chair  of  Systematic  Theology  in 
1880.— 1881,  p.  64. 

Dr.  Burney  died  in  1893. 

(4)  Rev.    W.    H.    Dai;.\.\i.i,   ei.E(  ted   and   (  o.xfiumkd   as;  a   Puofessoi;. 

The  Board  of  Trustees  reported  the  election  of  Rev.   W.  H.  Darnall 
to  the  Murdock  Chair  of  Ecclesiastical  History. — 1877,  p.  78. 
The  Assembly  confirmed  the  nomination. — 1877,  p.  21. 
Dr.  Darnall  resigned  in  1878. 

(5)  Rev.   R.  V.   Foster  elected  and  coxfirmed  as  a  Professor. 

The  Board  of  Trustees  nominated  Rev.  R.  V.  Foster  to  the  Chair  of 
Hebrew  in  the  Seminary. — 1877,  p.  78. 

The  nomination  was  confirmed  by  the  Assembly. — 1877,  p.  24. 

The  General  Assembly  concurred  in  the  action  of  the  Board  of 
Trustees  in  transferring  Prof.  R.  V.  Foster  to  the  Chair  of  Systematic 
Theology.— 1898,  p.  149  and  p.  59. 

Dr.  Foster  had  filled  the  chair  of  Systematic  Theology  for  four  years 
temporarily,  before  he  was  permanently  assigned  to  it. 

(6)   Rev.  J.  D.  Kirkivvtukk  elected  axd  Co.xfir.med  as  a  Professor. 

In  its  report  the  Board  said: 


THE  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY.  535 

Rev.  J.  D.  Kirkpatrick  was  elected  to  the  Murdock  Chair  of  Eccle- 
siastical History,  and  he  is  now  performing  the  duties  of  that  place.— 
1881,  p.  65. 

The  General  Assembly  approved  this  action. — 1881,  p.  32. 

Dr.  Kirkpatrick  died  in  189.5. 

(7)   Rev.   S.    T.   A.ndehssox   ei.ixted   axd   (Oxfikmed   as   a    Puofessou. 

The  Chair  of  Biblical  Literature,  formerly  filled  by  Dr.  Burney,  who 
was  transferred  to  the  Chair  of  Systematic  Theology,  thus  became  va- 
cant. The  Trustees  have  elected  Rev.  S.  T.  Anderson  to  fill  the  va- 
cancy. Dr.  Anderson,  although  he  signified  his  willingness  to  do  so, 
has  not  yet  accepted,  for  the  reason  that  the  Board  has  not  up  to  date 
of  this  report  been  able  to  give  him  a  satisfactory  assurance  of  such 
compensation   as   will   support  himself  and   family. — 1881,   p.   64. 

The  above-mentioned  action  was  approved  by  the  General  Assembly. 
1881,  p.  32. 

In  December,  ISSO,  the  Board  elected  Rev.  S.  T.  Anderson,  D.D.,  as 
Professor  of  Biblical  Literature,  but  from  that  time  to  this  the  Board 
have  never  had  the  means  at  their  command  sufiicient  to  justify  them 
in  calling  him  to  work,  and  it  now  appears  that  they  will  not  have 
the  means  for  this  purpose  for  some  years  yet.  In  the  meantime, 
however,  the  duties  which  attach  to  this  Chair  have  been  satisfac- 
torily performed  by  the  Professors  now  at  work  in  the  University. 
The  inability  of  the  Board  to  provide  full  compensation  for  these 
Professors,  and  their  total  inability  to  provide  at  all  for  Dr.  Ander- 
son have  induced  the  Board  to  annul  their  action  of  December, 
1880,  whereby  Dr.  Anderson  was  elected  Professor,  and  dissolve  his 
relation  with  the  Theological  Faculty  of  the  University;  and  the  duties 
of  the  Chair  of  Biblical  Literature  being  performed,  as  above  stated, 
by  the  other  members  of  the  Faculty,  the  Board  have  aLso  abolished 
that  as  a  distinctive  Chair  in  the  Theological  Department. — 1883,  pp. 
101,  102. 

It  appears  that  Dr.  Anderson  sent  his  resignation  to  the  General 
Assembly:  "We  have  also  had  referred  to  us  Rev.  S.  T.  Anderson's 
resignation  as  Professor  of  said  Chair.  We  recommend  that  you  ac- 
cept said  resignation,  and  so  notify  the  Board  of  Trustees."  Adopted. 
—1883,  p.  34. 

(8)  Rev.  C.  H.  Bell,  D.D.,  elected  and  confihmed  .\s-  a  Puofessok. 

In  its  report  the  Board  said: 

For  several  years  past  C.  H.  Bell,  D.D.,  has  also  been  performing 
for  the  University  a  gratuitous  service  as  Lecturer  on  Missions.  He 
has  agreed  to  make  his  annual  visits  to  Lebanon  during  the  extreme 
weather  of  the  Winter  months  of  longer  duration,  and  to  extend  his 
lectures  so  as  to  include  the  subjects  of  the  Preparation  and  Delivery 


5:56  PART  VI.,  AGENCIES  OF  THE  ASSE^FULY. 

of  Sermons,  and  the  Board  have  accordingly  elected  him  Professor 
of  Homiletics  and  Missions.  The  services  of  Dr.  Bell,  though  unre- 
warded by  salary,  are  invaluable  to  the  student  of  theology,  and  cover 
a  field  of  instruction  to  which  the  older  members  of  the  Faculty  could 
not  give  that  time  which  its  importance  demanded. — 1S85,  p.  115. 

This  action  was  approved  by  the  General  Assembly. — 18S5,  p.  30. 

The  Board  of  Trustees  reported  that  on  the  recommendation  of  the 
Theological  Faculty,  the  Chair  occupied  by  Dr.  Bell,  hitherto  known 
as  the  Chair  of  Missions  and  Homiletics,  will  hereafter  be  known  as 
the  "Chair  of  Missions  and  Apologetics."  The  topic,  "Homiletics," 
formerly  belonging  to  this  Chair  has  been  assigned  to  the  Chair  of 
Practical  Theology,  occupied  by  Prof.  Hubbert. — 1S9G,  j).  121. 

(9)  Rev.  W.  J.  Dai;i:v,  D.D.,  elected  and  confih.ued  as  a  Puofessou. 

In  its  report  the  i3oard  of  Trustees  spoke  as  follows: 

They  have  felt  it  their  duty  to  create  the  Chair  of  Practical  Theology, 
and  elect  as  Professor  thereof  W.  J.  Darby,  D.D.,  of  Evansville,  Ind. 
Dr.  Darby  is  known  to  the  entire  Church,  and  all  ■will  agree  with  the 
Trustees  in  saying  he  possesses  the  highest  qualification  for  the 
discharge  of  the  duties  assigned  him.  We  respectfully  submit  this 
action  to  your  Reverend  Body,  and  ask  that  the  same  be  confirmed. — • 
1888,  p.  150. 

On  the  foregoing  the  Committee  on  Education  made  report  as  fol- 
lows, which  was  adopted: 

We  congratulate  you,  and  the  whole  Church,  on  the  election  by  the 
Board  of  Trustees  of  the  Rev.  W.  J.  Darby,  D.D.,  to  the  Chair  of  Prac- 
tical Theology  in  the  Seminary.  We  are  satisfied  that  this  entire  Gen- 
eral Assembly  will  join  us  in  saying,  "The  right  man  in  the  right 
place."  We  recommend  that  you  ratify  ihis  action  of  the  Board. — 
1888,  pp.  28,  29. 

Dr.  Darbj"  never  entered  upon  the  discharge  of  these  dvities,  for  the 
reason  that  no  provision  was  made  for  his  support. 

(10)  Rev.    J.    M.     Huiujekt,    D.D.,     ki  ec  ik!)     a.xd     co.nfiumed    as    a 

Puoi-Essou. 

The  Board  of  Trustees  reported  the  election  of  Rev.  J.  M.  Hubbert, 
D.D.,  to  the  Chair  of  Practical  Theology.— 1893,  p.  115. 

The  Committee  on  Theological  Seminary  made  report  as  follows, 
which  was  adopted: 

Rev.  J.  M.  Hubbert  has  been  elected  Dean  of  the  Faculty  of  the 
Theological  School  and  Professor  of  Practical  Theology.  His  emi- 
nent qualifications  for  this  prominent  and  honorable  position  none  will 
question.  We  especially  commend  this  step,  and  fully  expect  that 
such  plans  and  methods  will  be  introduced  as  will  prove  of  widespread 
and  lasting  good  to  the  Church. — 1893,  p.  37. 


rilE  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY.  537 

(11)   Rkv.  a.  D.  Hail,  D.D.,  ki.ecteu  axd  confikmed  as  a  Puoi-kssoi;. 

The  Board  of  Trustees  elected  Rev.  Alexander  D.  Hail,  D.D.,  to  the 
Chair  of  Systematic  Theology,  to  fill  the  vacancy  occasioned  by  the 
death  of  Dr.  Burney.— 1893,  p.  115. 

On  the  foregoing  the  Committee  on  Theological  Seminary  made 
report  as  follows,  which  was  adopted: 

The  R3V.  Alexander  D.  Hail,  D.D.,  has  been  elected  to  fill  the  Chair 
of  Systematic  Theology.  We  regret  the  apparent  necessity  of  call- 
ing him  from  his  work  in  .Japan,  for  which  he  is  so  eminently  suited. 
His  removal  from  that  work  seems  almost  a  calamity  to  the  mission 
field.  But  in  view  of  his  rare  scholarship,  his  special  fitness  to  teach, 
his  knowledge  of  other  religious  systems,  and  his  knowledge  of  mis- 
sions and  mission  v/ork,  it  is  a  matter  of  gratitude  that  we  have  such 
a  man  to  fill  the  Chair. — 1893,  p.  37. 

The  Board  in  its  last  report  stated  that  Rev.  A.  D.  Hail,  D.D.,  had 
been  elected  to  the  vacancy,  and  that  he  had  accepted,  all  of  which 
was  true;  but  before  entering  on  the  duties  of  the  place,  and  before 
the  new  college  term  began,  he,  for  reasons  satisfactory  to  himself, 
withdrew   his   acceptance. — 1894,   p.   134. 

(12)  Rev.   W.  P.   Bo.ne  elected  axd  coxFiitMEn  as  .\  PitOEEssoi:. 

The  Board  of  Trustees  reported  that  Rev.  W.  P.  Bone  had  been 
elected  Professor  of  Greek  and  New  Testament  Exegesis,  and  a  Chair 
so  named  had  been  created,  and  he  assigned  to  the  duties  thereof. — ■ 
1894,  p.  134. 

The  General  Assembly  approved  and  confirmed  the  action  of  the 
Board   of   Trustees   in    the   election    of   Prof.    Bone. — 1S94,    p.    35. 

(13)  Rev,   F.  K.   Fakk  elected  and   (Onfiumed   as   .v   Piiofessok. 

In  its  report  the  Board  of  Trustees  said: 

Rev.  Finis  King  Farr  has  been  elected  a  Professor  in  the  The- 
ological School,  but  as  it  is  desired  that  he  continue  his  Seminary 
studies  here  and  elsewhere  for  a  year  or  more  before  entering  upon  his 
work  as  Professor,  his  special  duties  as  such  have  not  been  designated. 
—1894,  p.   135. 

The  above-mentioned  action  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  was  confirmed 
by  the  General  Assembly. — 1894,  p.  35. 

The  General  Assembly  concurred  in  the  action  of  the  Board  of 
Trustees  in  appointing  Prof.  F.  K.  Farr  permanently  to  the  Chair  of 
Hebrew  and  Old  Testament  Interpretation.— 1898.  p.  149,  and  p.  59. 

Prof.  Farr  had  filled  this  Chair  by  temporary  appointment  for  three 
years. 

(14)  Rev.   J.  V.   Stephens    elected  and  confirmed   as  .v   Pkofessdu. 

The  Board  of  Trustees  reported  the  following  to  the  General 
Assembly: 


538  J' ART  VI.,  AGENCIES  OF  THE  ASSEMBLY. 

Since  the  Board's  last  report  Rev.  J.  V.  Stephend,  formerly  of  Bowling 
Green,  K}-.,  has  been  elected  a  member  of  the  Theological  Faculty. 
The  Ti'ustees,  however,  do  not  assume  any  responsibility  for  his 
salary  or  expenses;  the  Board  of  Education  has  undertaken  to  pro- 
vide for  these,  all  of  wiiich  will  no  doubt  be  explained  in  that  Board's 
report  to  your  Reverend  Body,  i'rofessor  Stephens  has  been  on  the 
ground  and  at  worlc  for  some  montlis,  but  the  Board  has  not  as  yet 
created  for  him  any  new  Chair,  or  assigned  to  him  any  special  duties; 
this  will  be  done  at  some  early  day.  His  election  to  the  Theological 
Faculty  is  now  formally  reported  to  your  Reverend  Body,  and  con- 
firmation thereof  respectfully  i-equested. — 1S95,  p.  128. 

The  Board  of  Education  reported  as  follows: 

At  the  September  meeting  of  the  Board  measures  were  adopted  for 
securing  an  additional  Professor  in  the  Faculty  of  Lebanon  Theologi- 
cal Seminary,  the  last  General  Assembly  having  placed  that  responsi- 
bility upon  the  Board.  It  was  deemed  proper  that  special  subscrip- 
tions should  be  obtained  for  the  lirst  year's  salary  of  the  new 
Professor,  the  presumption  being  that  after  the  first  year  he  would  be 
supported  from  the  general  fund,  the  Church  understanding  that  its 
contributions  for  Education  are  to  be  used  in  part  for  this  purpose. 
Through  the  agency  of  the  Secretary,  sufficient  subscriptions  were 
soon  procured  and  the  Board  determined  to  undertake  at  once  the 
support  of  an  additional  Professor.  Due  conference  was  had  with 
the  Trustees  of  the  Seminary,  and  that  body  decided  to  nominate  for 
that  position  the  Rev.  J.  V.  Stephens,  of  Bowling  Green,  Ky.  Sub- 
ject to  your  decision.  Prof.  Stephens  entered  upon  his  work  in  Novem- 
ber. We  believe  this  step  has  been  eminently  satisfactory  to  the 
whole  Church,  and  that  it  is  one  of  tlie  marks  of  an  era  of  progress 
in  our  educational  affairs.  It  has  been  a  source  of  inspiration  and  en- 
couragement to  the  students  and  to  all  engaged  in  this  department 
of  our  work. — 1895,  p.  115. 

On  the  foregoing  the  Committee  on  Theological  Seminary  made  re- 
port as  follows,  which  was  adopted: 

We  have  carefully  considered  the  item  referred  to  us  in  the  report 
of  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  Cumberland  University,  touching  the 
election  of  Rev.  J.  V.  Stephens  as  Professor  in  the  Theological  School, 
and  we  commend  and  approve  the  prompt  and  energetic  efforts  of 
your  Board  of  Education,  by  which  this  additional  Professorship  in 
the  Theological  Faculty  was  made  possible.  In  compliance  with  the 
request  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  the  University,  and  in  the  exercise 
of  the  authority  of  this  General  Assembly,  we  recommend  the  con- 
firmation of  said  election. — 1895,  p.  37. 

The  next  annual  report  of  the  Educational  Society  contained  the 
following: 

•    In  conformity  with  its  charter,  we  recommend  that  you  instruct  your 
Educational   Society   to   pay   into   the   treasury  of  the   Board   of   Trus- 


thp:  thkolouical  seminary.  5;j9 

tees  of  the  Theological  Seminary  the  maximum  amount  of  $1,2UU  per 
annum,  to  be  used  as  supplemental  to  the  income  of  the  Board  of 
Trustees  in  the  payment  of  the  salaries  of  the  Professors  in  the  Semi- 
nary. 

We  also  recommend  that  you  request  your  Board  of  Trustees  of  the 
Theological  Seminary  to  receive  this  appropriation  for  the  purpose 
designated,  and  that  thsy  assume  the  contract  for  the  salary  of  Prof. 
J.  V.  Stephens,  he  sharing  with  the  other  Professors  in  the  common 
fund,  in  proportion  to  their  respective  salaries.  We  further  recom- 
mend that  this  appropriation  by  the  Educational  Society  be  diminished 
as  rapidly  and  in  such  proportion  as  may  be  consistent  with  the  main- 
tenance of  the  Seminary  at  its  present  standard. — 1896,  p.  21. 

The  Committee  on  Education  submitted  the  following,  which  was 
concurred  in: 

It  appears  that  the  annual  income  of  the  Theological  Seminary  will 
be  increased  about  $900  by  the  generous  bequest  of  Mrs.  R.  J.  McDaniel, 
of  Hopkinsville,  Ky.  This  comes  as  a  speedy  relief  to  our  Educational 
Fund,  from  which  it  was  proposed,  three  years  ago,  to  render  tem- 
porary assistance  in  enlarging  the  facility  of  the  Seminary,  until 
such  time  as  endowment  might  be  adequate  for  the  support  of  the 
Faculty.  In  accordance  with  the  organic  law  of  the  Seminary,  which 
provides  that  the  endowment  shall  be  under  the  control  of  the  General 
Assembly,  we  recommend  that  you  direct  that  all  the  proceeds  of 
said  bequest  shall  be  applied  to  the  support  of  the  Faculty,  and  that 
the  appropriation  hitherto  made  from  the  treasury  of  the  Educa- 
tional Society,  shall  be  correspondingly  reduced,  making  said  appro- 
priation, for  the  coming  year,  $300  more  or  less.  The  same  to  be  paid 
to  the  Treasurer  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  for  the  support  of  the  The- 
ological Faculty. — 1S9S,  p.  91. 

[Note. — According  to  a  certified  transcript  of  the  records  made  by 
the  Secretary  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  Cumberland  University,  the 
Board,  at  a  meeting  held  August  18,  1898,  "assumed  the  payment  of  the 
salary  of  Prof.  J.  V.  Stephens."— J.  V.  S.] 

The  General  Assembly  concurred  in  the  action  of  the  Board  of  Trus- 
tees in  permanently  assigning  Prof.  J.  V.  Stephens  to  the  Murdock 
Chair  of  Ecclesiastical  History. — 1898,  p.  149,  and  p.  59. 

Prof.  Stephens  had  occupied  this  chair  for  three  years,  by  temporary 
appointment,  the  first  year  of  his  connection  with  the  Seminary  being 
spent   in   work   specially   assigned. 

(15)   Rev.     B.     G.     Mik  hem.    Ei.ErTKi),     iut     >ot     coM'iKjrEi),    as    a 

Pi:OFEssoi;. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Trustees,  on  .lune  17,  1895.  Rev.  B.  G.  Mitchell 
was  unanimously  elected  a  member  of  the  Theological'  Faculty,  and 
his  election  is  respectfully  submitted  in  this  report,  and  confirmation 
thereof   asked.     Other   important   matters    came    before   the    Board    at 


540  PART  I  J..  AGENCIES  OE  THE  ASSEMBLY. 

that  meeting,  which  will  be  referred  to  in  an  after  part  of  this  report. 
What  was  then  done  by  the  Board  became  the  subject  of  public  dis- 
cussion for  some  weeks  thereafter,  and  the  Board  at  a  later  meet- 
ing modified  its  action  of  June  17,  1895,  in  several  respects.  For  these 
reasons  the  Board  asks  to  submit  more  in  detail  the  histoi'y  of  both 
meetings  and  to  state  briefly  the  inducing  causes  which  resulted  in 
the  action  then  taken. 

Shortly  after  the  death  of  the  lamented  Dr.  Burney,  much  specula- 
tion was  indulged  in  concerning  the  question  of  his  successor,  and  the 
Trustees  soon  discovered  that  decided  differences  existed  in  the  minds 
of  brethren  throughout  the  Church.  The  Board  was  flooded  with  me- 
morials and  private  letters  from  every  quarter,  asking  that  contradic- 
tory things  be  done.  It  is  well  known  that  the  differences  related  to 
the  teaching  of  Dr.  Burney  on  several  doctrinal  points.  Some  of  the 
memorialists  who  refused  to  accept  his  teaching  insisted  that  his  suc- 
cessor should  be,  to  accept  the  popular  phrase,  an  "Anti-Burneyite." 
Others,  who  accepted  his  views,  insisted  that  his  successor  should  be 
one  in  harmony  with  him.  It  was  impossible  for  the  Trustees  to  do 
both  these  things.  To  have  done  one,  no  matter  which,  would  have 
seriously  widened  the  breach  and  crippled  the  work  of  the  University, 
especially  that  of  the  Theological  Department.  The  case  was  ex- 
tremely embarrassing  to  the  Board  and  required  the  most  delicate 
handling. 

It  is  not  necessary  to  dwell  on  the  dilHculties  of  this  period.  It  is 
sufficient  to  say  that  Anally  a  memorial,  numerously  signed  by  rei^re- 
sentative  ministers  and  laymen  of  the  Church,  who  sympathized  with 
the  views  of  Dr.  Burney,  was  presented  to  the  Board,  proposing  a  mode 
of  settlement.  The  suggestions  of  the  memorialists  were  in  the  nature 
of  a  compromise,  in  which  it  was  insisted  both  parties  were  fairly  dealt 
with.  They  asked  the  Board  first  to  create  a  new  Chair,  to  be  known 
as  the  "Burney  Professorship,"  and  elect  thereto  Rev.  B.  G.  Mitchell, 
and  name  as  his  teaching  topics  "History  of  Christian  Doctrine"  and 
the  "Confession  of  Faith  cf  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church." 
Second,  give  to  the  Chair  of  Missions  and  liomiletics,  occupied  by  Dr. 
Bell,  the  name  of  "Bell  Professorship,"  and  assign  to  it  as  teaching 
topics,  "Comparative  Religions,  Missions,  and  Practical  Apologetics." 
Third,  transfer  Dr.  R.  V.  Foster  to  the  Chair  of  Systematic  Theology 
as  the  successor  of  Dr.  BurneJ^ 

The  object  of  the  memorialists,  in  asking  that  the  names  of  Burney 
and  Bell  be  given  to  the  Chairs  mentioned,  was  two-fold.  First,  to  con- 
fer a  deserved  compliment  and  honor.  Second,  to  secure  thereby  the 
active  aid  of  personal  friends  in  procuring  endowment. 

The  spirit  of  the  memorialists,  and  also  their  suggestions,  impressed 
the  Trustees  favorably,  and,  having  duly  considered  their  recommenda- 
tions, they  were,  Jtme  17,  1895,  formally  adopted  by  the  Board.  Rev. 
B.  G.  Mitchell  was  at  once  notified  cf  his  election  to  the  Theological 


THE  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY.  541 

"Faculty,  and  his  letter  of  acceptancs  was  received  by  the  Board. — 1890, 
p.  122. 

The  Committee  on  Theological  Seminary,  to  which  the  foregoing 
item  was  referred,  submitted  a  report.  Said  report  was  adopted,  a 
part  of  which  follows: 

In  order  to  reach  the  merit  of  this  question,  we  must  go  back  to 
the  June  meeting  of  the  Board  of  Trustees.  That  meeting  appears 
to  us  as  ill-advised,  and  it  became  the  occasion  of  the  very  troubles 
which  the  framers  of  the  Charter  of  the  University  endeavored  to 
avoid,  by  providing  that  the  members  of  the  Faculty  "may  be  present 
at  the  meetings  of  the  Board  and  participate  in  its  deliberations  and 
discussions,  but  shall  not  be  allowed  to  vote;'  also  that  "any  person 
or  persons,  corporation,  or  Church  judicatoi-y,  may  establish  pro- 
fessorships of  any  kind,  in  said  institution,  with  the  consent  and  ap- 
probation of  the  Trustees  and  Faculty,  by  endowing  the  same." 
[See  Charter  of  Cumberland  Universitj',  Sections  3  (latter  clause)  and 
5.]     .     .     . 

That  in  view  of  the  June  meeting  of  the  Board  of  Trus'tees,  as  here 
set  forth,  this  General  Assembly  cannot  take  cognizance  of  anything 
that  was  done  at  said   meeting,   or   that   necessarily   grew   out  of    it. 

While  we  do  not  pass  upon  the  merits  of  the  proposition  to  add 
Rev.  B.  G.  Mitchell  to  the  Faculty,  yet  it  is  evident  that  the  Trustees 
overestimated  the  representative  character  of  the  petition  on  which 
they  based  their  action  at  the  June  meeting.  That  petition,  or  a  simi- 
lar  one,  was  presented  to  the  last  General  Assembly.  It  bore  the  sig- 
nature of  thirty  or  forty  persons,  who  were  then  present.  There  was 
no  general  demand  throughout  the  Church  for  fiiling  the  Chair  of 
Systematic  Theology,  or  for  creating  a  new  professorship,  or  for  put- 
ting other  men  in  the  Faculty.  There  was  general  satisfaction  with 
the  work  and  prospects  of  the  Theological  School,  and  no  dissatisfac- 
tion, except  perhaps  among  a  few  persons. 

The  announcement  of  the  new  Professorships  was  a  surprise  to  the 
Church,  at  large.  The  prevailing  sentiment  was,  and  is  now,  that  such 
Professorships  were  unnnecessary,  and  the  best  interests  of  the  The- 
ological School  would  have  been  conserved  if  the  prayer  of  the  pe- 
titioners had  not  been  granted.     .     .     . 

The  very  cogent  reasons  presented  by  the  Board  of  Visitors,  and 
in  the  memorial  from  the  Synod  of  Arkansas,  make  it  exceedingly 
unwise  to  grant  the  petition  of  the  Board  of  Trustees.  Therefore  we 
recommend  that  the  petition  be  not  granted. — 189G,  pp.   2-5-27. 

3.  Board  of  Visitors  to  the  Theological  Seminary. 

(1)     Ix     THE     EARLY     YEAII.S    f)F     ITS     IIISTOKY. 

The  following  xesolution  was  offered  by  Rev.  Dr.  Beard,  and  car- 
.ried: 


542  PART  /■/..  Ac:ENCIKS  OJ'  THE  ASSEMTLY. 

liesolrai.  That  the  following  persons,  viz.:  Rev.  F.  R.  Cossitl,  D.D., 
Rev.  Messrs.  M.  Bird,  A.  J.  Baird,  H.  B.  Hill,  W.  S.  Langdon,  J,  C. 
Provine,  D.  Lowry,  Hon.  Nathan  Green,  Hon.  R.  L.  Caruthers,  be 
appointed  a  Committee  to  attend  the  approaching  examinations  in  the 
Theological  Department  of  Cumbeiiand  University,  and  that  they  be 
requested  to  make  a  report  to  the  next  General  Assembly. — 1856,  p.  32. 

The  Committee,  provided  for  in  the  foregoing,  submitted  the  fol- 
lowing report: 

The  Committee  appointed  to  attend  the  examinations  of  the  students 
in  the  Theological  Department  of  Cumberland  University,  respectfully 
submit  the   following  report: 

The  character  and  qualifications  of  those  who  are  preparing  to  labor, 
in  word  and  doctrine,  for  the  edification  ot  the  Church  and  the  salva- 
tion of  souls,  must  be  subjects  of  special  interest  to  all  who  desire 
the  glory  of  Christ  and  the  triumph  of  his  cause.  The  preaching  of 
the  word  by  a  living  ministry,  accompanied  by  the  Holy  Spirit,  is  the 
divinely  appointed  means  lor  propagating  truth  and  righteousness, 
extending  the  conquests  of  the  Cross,  and  evangelizing  the  v/orld. 

With  no  common  solicitude,  your  Committee  attanded  to  the  duty 
assigned  them,  and  witnessed  the  examinations  on  those  very  im- 
portant subjects  which,  had  claimed  the  attention  of  the  respective 
classes. 

The  class  in  the  Greek  Testament  and  the  Hebrew  Bible  evinced  a 
good  degree  of  accuracy,  and  appeared  to  nave  made  a  creditable  pi"og- 
ress    in    iliese    original    languages,    through    which    holy    men    of    Gou  ■ 
spake  as  they  were  moved  by  the  Holy  Ghost. 

The  class  on  the  Evidences  of  Christianity  acquitted  themselves  sat- 
isfactorily, and  showed  that  they  had  not  studied  superficially. 

The  class  on  Systematic  Theology  appeared  to  have  made  commenda- 
ble progress,  and  evinced  those  liabits  of  thought  vv-hich  promise  suc- 
cess in  the  prosecution  of  the  subject. 

The  whole  number  of  those  looking  forward  to  the  ministry  of  the 
Gospel,  is  about  forty.  All  enjoy  the  privilege  of  attending  the  lec- 
tures on  theolog>'.  Among  these,  twelve  are  regularly  reciting  to  the 
Professor  in  this  Department,  Rev.  Br.  Beard.  Five  of  this  number 
are  exclusively  engaged  in  the  study  of  theology. 

The  last-mentioned  twelve  delivered  extemporaneous  discourses  as 
specimens  of  sermonizing.  In  this  exercise  all  acquitted  themselves 
respectably,  and  in  a  manner  promising  future  usefulness. 

On  the  whole,  v/e  are  of  the  opinion  that  this  infant  Department 
has  made  a  very  fair  beginning.  There  was,  and  is,  abundant  evi- 
dence of  the  ability  and  faithfulness  of  the  Professor  in  charge,  as  well 
as  of  the  diligence  and  application  of  the  pupils.  We  were  made  to 
think  of  the  number  of  candidates  for  the  holy  ministry  who  enjoy 
no  regular  theological  instruction;  and.  how  great  a  blessing  it  would 
be  to  the  Church  if  all  could  be  favored  with  these  high  advantages. 


THE  THEOLOGICAL  SE3HNARY.  545 

Your  Committee  express  the  hope  that  your  Venerable  Body  will, 
from  year  to  year,  appoint  a  committee  of  suitable  men  to  attend  the 
annual  examinations,  that  you  may  learn  the  progress  of  this  "school 
of  prophets"  and  afford  encouragement  to  all  those  connected  there- 
with, whether  Professors  or  pupils. 

Respecttully  submitted, 

F.  R.  CossiTT, 
R.  L.  Carutuers, 
Nathan  Gkeen, 
— 1S57,  pp.  48,  49. 

Rev.  Richard  Beard  introduced  the  following,  which  was  adopted: 

Ifcsohrd,  That  Rev.  M.  Bird,  D.D.,  Rev.  F.  R.  Cossitt,  Rev.  Messrs. 
Isaac  Shook,  H.  B.  Hill,  A.  J.  Baird,  Samuel  Dennis,  William  Ralston, 
C.  P.  Reed,  J.  C.  Provine,  and  the  Hon.  Nathan  Green,  be  appointed 
a  Committee  to  attend  the  approaching  examinations  of  the  theologi- 
cal classes  in  Cumberland  University;  and  that  said  Committee  be 
requested  to  make  a  report  to  the  next  General  Assembly. — 1858,  p.  47. 

This  Committee  performed  its  duty  and  reported  to  the  General  As- 
sembly the   following  year. — 1859,   pp.   52-54. 

The  General  Assembly  of  1859  appointed  a  Commitree  to  visit  the 
Seminary,   which  reported  the  next  year. — 1860,   pp.   90-92. 

[Note. — The  demoralization  growing  out  of  the  Civil  War  seems  to 
have  caused  this  custom  to  be  overlooked  for  a  number  of  years.  Dr. 
McDonnold  refers  to  it  as  follows: 

One  item  included  in  the  rules  laid  down  by  the  Assembly  when  this 
school  was  established,  and  which  was  rigidly  enforced  for  a  few  years, 
has  unfortunately  been  allowed  to  pass  into  lorgetfvilness.  It  pro- 
vides that  a  Committee  shall  be  appointed  annually  by  the  General 
Assembly  to  visit  the  institution  and  report  concerning  its  prosperity 
and   orthodoxy. — From  McDoinvtlil's  Ilhtorii,   p.   522. — .1.  V.   S.] 

(2)  Revived  at  the  suggestion  of  the  Boakd  of  Tiu'stees  in  1S88. 

The  Trustees  have  been  recently  reminded  of  an  ancient  usage  of 
your  Reverend  Body,  which  has  long  been  neglected  or  forgotten. 
They  refer  to  the  habit  of  the  Assembly,  which  began  in  the  early 
history  of  Cumberland  University,  of  appointing  a  Board  of  Visitors 
to  visit  the  University  at  such  a  time  as  would  suit  th'?ir  convenience, 
and  become  acquainted  with  the  Trustees,  Faculty,  and  students,  and 
attend  the  exercises,  public  and  private.  In  this  day,  when  the  in- 
terests of  the  University  and  of  the  Church  are  coming  nearer  to- 
gether, it  is  desirable  that  this  avenue  of  approach  between  the  two 
should  be  again  opened.  The  Trustees  assure  the  General  Assembly 
that  the  revival  of  this  old  custom  will  be  highly  agreeable  to  them 
as  the  representatives  of  the  corporation,  and  equally  so  to  the  entire 
Faculty  and  students  of  the  University. — 1S88,  p.  149. 


544  PART  VI.,  AGENCIES  OE  THE  ASSEMLLY. 

To  this  suggestion  of  tlie  Board  of  Trustees,  the  General  Assembly 
responded,  through  its  Committee,  as  follows: 

The  suggestion  by  the  Board,  that  the  ancient  usage  of  the  General 
Assembly  to  appoint  annually  a  Visiting  Committee,  meets  with  the 
approbation  of  this  Committee,  and  we  beg  leave  to  name  the  follow- 
ing brethren  to  constitute  the  first  Board  of  Visitors:  H.  D.  Onyett, 
D.D.,  of  Indiana;  J.  P.  Sprowls,  D.D.,  Illinois;  J.  B.  Green,  D.D.,  Ne- 
braska; Rev.  J.  L.  Cooper,  Mississippi;  and  Elder  R.  W.  Pitman,  Texas. 
—1888,  p.  29. 

This  Committee  submitted  a  detailed  report  to  the  next  General 
Assembly.— 1889,   pp.    39-42. 

Every  General  Assembly  from  1889  to  the  present  time  has  received 
a  report  from  its  Board  of  Visitors  to  the  Theological   Seminary. 

In  1895  the  General  Assembly  adopted  the  following: 

In  view  of  the  close  and  vital  relationship  between  the  General  As- 
sembly and  its  Theological  School,  and  in  accordance  with  the  mani- 
fest design  of  the  Assembly  m  inaugurating  it,  there  can  be  no  doubt 
about  the  propriety  and  the  right  of  the  Assembly  to  appoint  a  Visit- 
ing Committee  and  dcline  the  powers   thereof  as   herein  provided. 

V/e  therefore  recommend  that  a  Permanent  Committee  of  three  be 
appointed,  which  shall  be  styled  "The  General  Assembly's  Board  of 
Visicorr;  to  the  Theological  Seminary,"  and  that  this  Board  be  com- 
posed of  two  ministers  and  one  layman. 

.     Said  Committee  is  to  be  appointed  to  serve  and  exercise  its  powers 
as  hereinafter  indicated. 

1.  The  first  named  of  the  Board  of  \'isitors  shall  serve  for  three 
years,  the  second  for  two  years,  aud  the  third  for  one  year;  but  the 
regular  term  of  each  one  to  be  appointed  hereafter  shall  be  three  years, 
each  to  serve  until  his  successor  is  appointed. 

2.  At  each  meeting  of  the  Assembly  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Com- 
mittee on  Theological  Seminary,  in  its  report  to  the  Assembly,  to 
nominate  persons  to  fill  vacancies  on   this  Board. 

o.  At  such  time  as  this  Board  may  deem  proper,  during  each  Semi- 
nary year,  they  shall  visit  the  Seminary,  and  make  thorough  investi- 
gation of  all  matters  pertaining  to  its  welfare,  the  work  done  in  the 
class-rooms,  the  character  and  needs  of  the  library,  dormitories,  build- 
ings, etc.,  and  shall  examine  the  books  of  the  Treasurer,  noting  par- 
ticularly the  character  of  investments  made  of  the  Seminary  funds, 
and  the  financial  management  thereof,  and  whatever  else  they  may 
regard  as  important  to  the  prosperity  of  the  Seminary.  They  shall 
make  inquiry  and  investigation  concerning  any  other  funds  that  may 
be  held  in  trust  for  the  Seminary  by  others  than  the  Board  of  Trus- 
tees  of   Cumberland   University. 

4.  The  Board  of  Visitors  shall  meet  with  the  Board  of  Trustees  and 
the  Faculty  of  the  Seminary,  separately  or  jointly,  as  the  Board  of 
Visitors   may   deem   proper,   and    confer   upon   all   matters   that   relate 


THE  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY.  545 

to  the  Theological  School,  its  needs,  its  work,  and  it.^  prospects,  li 
is  expected  that  in  all  matters  of  special  importance  there  shall  be 
conference  on  the  part  of  the  Board  of  Trustees,  the  Faculty  of  the 
Seminary,  and  the  Lioard  of  Visitors.  Such  conference  may  be  had 
either  by  correspondence  or  by  personal  attendance  of  the  Board  of 
Visitors,  whenever  the  same  is  requested  either  by  the  Board  of  Trus- 
tees or  the  Faculty  of  the  Seminary. 

5.  The  Board  of  Visitors  shall  recognize  their  relation  to  the  Board 
of  Trustees  as  entirely  advisory,  due  regard  being  had  lo  the  authority 
vested  in  the  Trustees  by  the  Charter  of  the  institution.  At  the  same 
time  there  should  be  a  recogniLion  of  the  fact  herein  set  forth,  that 
the  Theological  School  "is  to  be  subjected  to  the  control  of  the  As- 
sembly."— iS95,  pp.  38,  39. 

Item  4  was  modified  by  the  General  Assembly  of  18^7,  in  adopting 
the  report  of  the  Committee  on  Theological  Seminary,  as  follows: 

The  part  of  duty  as  defined  by  ihat  Assembly  [1895],  of  the  Visiting 
Board  to  advise  with  the  Board  of  Trustees,  rather,  the  mandatory 
order  of  the  Assembly  to  the  Board  of  Trustees  to  advise  with  the 
Board  of  Visitors,  was  beyond  the  legitimate  purpose  of  a  Visiting 
Board.  Having  a  Board  of  Trustees,  and  a  Faculty  near  them,  and 
the  Genei'al  Assembly  to  represent  the  whole  Church  In  the  oversight 
of  the  Seminary,  the  proper  functions  of  the  Visiting  Board  appear  to 
your  Committee  to  be  the  ascertainment  of  the  condition  of  every 
department  of  the  University,  educational  and  financial,  that  in  any 
way  relates  to  the  Theological  Seminary,  and  report  the  same  to  the 
General  Assembly.  Such  advice  or  suggestion  as  would  be  given  vol- 
untarily would,  we  think,  fce  appropriate  in  such  a  Board,  but  your 
Committee  think  such  advice  ought  not  to  be  mandatoi-y,  and  we 
therefore  recommend  that  that  part  of  this  duty,  a^  denned  by  the 
Assembly  of  1895,  which  seems  to  make  it  obligatory  on  the  part 
of  the  Board  of  Trustees  to  advise  with  the  Board  of  Visitoi's  in  the 
management  of  the  Seminary,  be  and  is  hei'eby,  rescinded.  We  do 
this  the  more  readily  because  we  feel  satisfied  that  ihe  Board  of  Trus- 
tees will  feel  inclined  to  confer,  in  matters  pertaining  to  this  Depart- 
ment of  the  University,  with  such  men  as  are  likely  lo  be  appointed 
by  the  Assembly  as  Visitors  to  the  Seminary. — 1897,  p.  60. 


4.  Financial  Agents. 


Rev.  .J.  D.  Kirkpatrick  was  appointed  Financial  Agent  by  the  Board 
of  Trustees. — 1876,  p.  3-5. 

Mr.  Kirkpatrick  continued  to  fill  this  position  until  1S80.  when 
he  was  elected  to  a  professorship  in  the  Seminary. 

In  188.5  the  General  Assembly  adopted  the  followirg  recommenda- 
tions: ''  '■' 

That  the   Board   of   Education' be   authorized   and   instructed   to  em- 


546  PART  VI.,  AGENCIES  OF  THE  ASSEMBLY. 

ploy,  at  the  earliest  possible  date,  on  behalf  of  the  General  Assembly, 
and  in  the  name  of  the  whole  Church,  a  competent  Agent  to  solicit 
funds  to  complete  the  endowment  of  Cumberland  University. 

That  from  the  funds  first  realized  from  such  agency  there  shall  be 
set  apart  an  amount  sufficient  to  raise  the  endowment  of  the  Theologi- 
cal Department  of  the  University  to  one  hundred  thousand  dollars. 
All  moneys  raised  by  such  agency  shall,  as  fast  as  it  comes  to  hand, 
be  turned  over  to  the  Trustees  of  said  University,  to  be  by  them 
invested,  and  the  interest  thereon  appropriated  as  in  the  case  of 
other  like  endowment.  The  Board  of  Education  shall  audit  the  ac- 
counts of  the  Agent  at  least  once  each  year,  and  they  shall  report  to 
the  General  Assembly,  at  its  stated  meetings,  what  has  been  accom- 
plished.—1885,  p.  29. 

On  the  foregoing  the  Board  of  Education  reported  to  the  next  Gen- 
eral  Assembly   as   follows: 

In  June  last  the  Board,  in  pursuance  of  the  order  of  the  General 
Assembly,  employed  the  Rev.  J.  S.  Grider  as  Agent  for  the  endow- 
ment of  Cumberland  University.  The  following  is  the  agreement  be- 
tween the  Board  and  Brother  Grider: 

"The  Board  of  Education,  m  pursuance  of  the  action  of  the  General 
Assembly,  1885,  does  hereby  employ  and  engage  the  services  of  the 
Rev.  Jesse  S.  Grider  as  agent  for  the  purpose  of  raising  the  endow- 
ment of  the  Theological  Department  of  Cumberland  University,  upon 
the  following  terms  and  conditions: 

"1.  The  employment  shall  be  for  an  indefinite  time,  and  at  a  salary 
at  the  rate  of  $1,800  per  annum,  payable  monthly,  and  in  addition 
thereto  his  necessary  traveling  expenses.  The  salary  and  expenses 
to  be  paid  out  of  the  amount  raised  by  the  Agent. 

"1.  That  the  mode  and  manner  of  raising  said  endowment  be  left 
to  the  discretion  of  the  Agent,  he  making  report  from  time  to  time, 
and  conferring  with  the  Board  as  to  the  progress  of  the  work. 

"3.  That  the  whole  time  of  said  Agent  be  devoted  to  this  work  at 
as  early  a  day  as  practicable,  and  in  the  meantime  he  shall  be  entitled 
to  receive  of  the  salary  in  proportion  lo  the  time  occupied  in  the 
work,  and  the  traveling  expenses  actually  incurred." — 1886,  pp.  139, 
140. 

[Note. — Dr.  J.  S.  Grider  continued  to  serve  as  Financial  Agent  for 
the  Endowment  Fund  until  1893.  His  agency  was  very  fruitful. 
Through  his  efforts  as  Agent,  and  otherwise,  he  raised  more  than  one- 
half  of  the  present  endowment. — J.  V.  S.] 

In   1895  the   following  was  adopted: 

Recalling  the  most  valuable  services  that  were  rendered  by  Rev.  J. 
S.  Grider,  D.D.,  as  Endowing  Agent,  working  under  the  direction 
of  the  Board  of  Education,  we  recommend  that  further  arrangements 
be  made  for  this  object  as  soon  as  practicable.  To  this  end  we  recom- 
mend that  the  question  of  employing  a  Financial   Agent  for  further 


THE  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY.  547 

serYice  in  the  behalf  of  the  Theological  School,  be  referred  to  the 
Board  of  Education,  aud  that  this  General  Assembly  place  itself  on 
record  as  determined,  by  all  possible  means,  to  foster  and  build  up 
its  Theological  School,  until  it  shall  be  fully  endowed  and  thoroughly 
equipped  for  its  great  work. — 1895,  p.  37. 

The  General  Assembly  adopted  the  following  recommendation  of 
the  Committee  on  Education: 

We  recommend  that  you  approve  the  course  of  your  Educational 
Society  in  deferring  the  employment  of  a  Financial  Agent  for  the 
Seminary;  and  that  the  subsequent  employment  of  such  Agent  be 
left  to  the  discretion  of  the  Society  and  the  Board  of  Trusteei:. — 189G, 
p.  22. 

5,  The  Theological  Seminary  catalogue. 

The  General  Assembly  adopted  the  following  recommendation: 

That  the  Theological  School  issue  its  catalogue  as  a  separate  num- 
ber, distinct  from  the  catalogue  of  Cumberland  University.  This  will 
give  prominence  to  the  Seminary  in  a  way  which  will  be  of  great  ser- 
vice to  it  in  advertising  its  work. — 1894,  p.  35. 

The  Committee  on  Theological  Seminary  submitted  the  following, 
•which  was  approved: 

We  have  examined,  with  a  peculiar  degree  of  pleasure,  the  special 
edition  of  the  catalogue  of  the  Theological  Seminary,  which  is  now 
in  accordance  with  the  Assembly's  recommendations,  issued  separately 
from  the  University  Catalogue. 

The  Faculty  and  Trustees  are  to  be  heartily  commended  for  having 
gotten  out  three  thousand  copies,  with  the  purpose  of  pending  one  to 
each  minister,  licentiate,  and  candidate  in  the  Church.  We  recommend 
that  the  same  plan  shall  be  followed  each  year,  and  that  the  cata- 
logue shall  show  the  Seminary's  relations  to  the  University,  and 
that  it  is  under  the  control  and  patronage  of  the  Assembly,  as  a 
means  of  making  prominent  the  fact  that  the  Seminary  is  the  school 
of  the  entire  denomination,  having  strong  claims  upon  all  sections 
of  the  Church  for  patronage  and  support.  Such  a  circulation  of  the 
catalogue  will  be  a  most  efficient  and  pleasing  method  of  advertising 
the  institution.— 1896,  p.  40. 

6.  Degree  conferred  on  a  woman. 

The  General  Assembly  commended  the  policy  which  had  been  adopted, 
of  opening  the  doors  of  the  Seminary  to  young  women  who  might  wish 
to  qualify  themselves  as  missionaries,  Bible  readers,  or  Christian 
workers. — 1894,  p.   35. 

The  General  Assembly  adopted  the  following  report  of  a  minority 
of  the  Committee  on  Theological  Seminary: 


548  PART  VI.,  AGENCIES  OF  THE  ASSEMBLY. 

We  have  considered  the  referred  communication  of  Mrs.  Mary  Hunter 
Bixler,  aaying  she  has  finished  the  regular  classical  course  in  the 
Theological  School  of  Cumberland  ruiversity,  but  that,  because  she  is 
a  woman,  it  has  not  been  thought  proper  that  she  shoiild  receive  the 
degree  which  is  to  be  conferred  upon  others  who  may  have  taken 
the  same  course  of  study,  and  she  asks  the  Assembly  to  make  a  de- 
liverance which  will  apply  to  this  and  similar  cases. 

In  1894,  the  Assembly  passed  a  resolution,  requesting  the  Trustees 
of  Cumberland  University  to  "open  all  its  departments  to  young 
women,  on  equal  terms  with  young  men,  making  the  institution  in  all 
respects  co-educational."     [Minutes,   page  39.] 

To  this  request  the  Trustees  made  respectful  reply,  a  year  ago 
(Minutes,  page  129)  stating  that  co-education  could  not  thus  be 
adopted,  in  the  University  at  large,  for  what  appeared  to  them  as  good 
and  sufficient  reasons,  and  the  Assembly  concurred  in  that  decision, 
having  no  inclination  to  use  even  argument  or  persuasion  for  con- 
trolling the  policy  of  the  University  in  thia  matter,  in  other  depart- 
ments; but  as  regards  the  Theological  Department,  it  is  assumed,  on 
general  principles,  and  we  have  information  to  this  effect  as  regards 
this  and  similar  matters,  that  the  Trustees  and  the  Theological  Faculty 
desire  to  know  and  carry  out  what  may  be  expressed  as  the  wishes 
of  the  Assembly. 

With  perfect  unanimity  the  Assembly  has  heretofore  declared  its 
■will,  that,  for  the  encouragement  of  the  laity  in  the  study  of  theology 
and  methods  of  Christian  work,  the  full  privileges  of  the  Seminary 
class-room.s  shall  be  given  to  both  probationers  and  laymen,  and  it  is 
the  mind  of  the  Assembly  that  this  policy  shall  still  be  adhered  to, 
and  that  in  the  conferring  of  degrees  no  difference  shall  be  made  be- 
tween ministers  and  laymen,  or  between  young  men  and  young  vv^omen; 
'and  recommendation  is  hereby  made,  accordingly,  to  the  Theological 
Faculty  and  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  Cumberland  University.  But  the 
adoption  of  this  does  not  commit  this  General  Assembly  for  or  against 
the  ordination  of  women  to  the  ministry,  nor  authorize  the  same  on 
the  part  of  any  Presbytery.— 1896,  pp.  39,  40. 

[Note. — In  compliance  with  the  foiegoing  deliverance  of  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly,  the  degree  was  conferred. — J.  V.  S.] 

7.  Presbyteries  to  use  their  authority  to  secure  the  at- 
tendance of  probationers  at  the  Seminary. 

The  report  of  the  Educational  Society  contained  the  following: 
Further,  in  this  connection,  we  submit  that  you  consider  the  pro- 
priety of  laying  down  this  principle  of  inter-denominational  courtesy, 
to  wit:  That  the  authorities  of  the  Theological  Seminaries  of  other 
denominations  should  offer  to  our  young  men  the  benefit  of  scholar- 
ships, or  other  inducements,  only  at  the  request  of  the  Presbytery  to 


THE  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY.  549 

■which  each  belongb.  We  believe  such  a  proposition,  submitted  in  the 
interests  or  proper  discipline,  as  well  as  of  denominaiional  courtesy, 
will  be  universally  respected.  With  these  preliminary  questions  duly 
determined,  it  will  remain  for  the  Presbytery  to  act  with  wisdom  and 
firmness  for  the  best  interests  of  the  young  men,  as  well  as  for  denom- 
inational loyalty,  showing  at  the  same  time  due  diligence  and  liber- 
ality in  providing  financial  aid  where  this  should  be  done.  Having 
done  the  best  we  can  in  this  regard  for  otir  young  men,  we  must  look 
to  their  self-denial  and  consecration  for  the  rest.  Resistance  of  money 
considerations  is  a  lesson  they  need  to  learn  early  in  life.  The  found- 
ers and  leaders  of  our  Church  for  generations  past  have  practiced  it, 
and  in  this  respect,  as  well  as  in  many  others,  the  spirit  of  the 
fathers  needs  to  be  preserved.  They  were  loyal  to  their  own  standard, 
regardless  of  cost  to  personal  comfort  or  fame.  The  temptation  of  a 
larger  salary  elsewhere  is  constantly  before  the  successful  Cumber- 
land Presbyterian  pastor.  Let  him  begin  early  to  gather  strength 
for  the  test. by  resisting  the  money  temptation  while  in  training  for 
the  pastorate.  But  it  behooves  the  people  likewise  to  do  their  duty 
in  the  premises.  Just  as  the  best  salary  possible  should  be  paid  to 
the  pastor,  so  they  should  assist  our  struggling  young  men,  to  the 
full  extent  of  their  power.  Competition  en  the  money  basis  may  well 
be  scorned  where  principle  is  involved,  yet  we  shotild  make  generous 
annual  offerings  to  take  the  place  of  the  richly  endowed  scholar- 
ships found  elsev/here. — 1S97,  p.  8S. 

On  the  foregoing  suggestion  of  the  Educational  Society,  the  Com- 
mittee on  Education  submitted  the  follov'ing  recommendation,  which 
was  adopted: 

That  you  instruct  the  Presbyteries  to  use  their  lawful  authority 
to  secure  the  attendance  of  their  probationers  at  our  schools,  and  es- 
pecially at  our  Theological  School;  and  that  applications  for  scholar- 
ships in  other  instittitions  than  our  own  schools  be  accompanied  with 
the  recommendations  of  the  Presbytery,  or  its  Educational  Committee, 
with  the  information  to  the  parties  concerned  that  it  is  the  will  of 
the  General  Assembly  that  said  benefits  shotild  be  granted  only  when 
the  application  is  accompanied  by  the  request  of  the  Presbj^tery  or 
its  Educational  Committee,  such  as  is  required  at  present  by  all  our 
own  institutions. — 1897,  p.  35. 

In  its  report  to  the  General  Assembly,  the  Educational  Society  said: 

Following  the  direction,  given  by  the  General  Assembly  a  year  ago, 
we  communicated  with  the  authorities  of  various  seminaries  of  other 
denominations,  making  known  the  desire  of  the  General  Assembly 
that  such  of  our  probationers  as  might  apply  to  them  for  scholarships 
or  other  financial  aid  should  be  required  to  accompany  their  applica- 
tions with  the  recommendation  of  the  Presbytery  to  which  they  be- 
long, or  its  Educational  Committee.  The  replies  to  this  commr.nica- 
tion  were  prompt  and  cordial,  the  propriety  of  the  request  being  ac- 


550  PART  VI.,  AGENCIES  OE  THE  ASSEMBLY. 

knowledged  and  the  assurance  being  given  that  the  wish  of  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly  would  be  duly  regarded.  In  all  such  cases  it  now 
remains  to  be  seen  whether  a  Presbytery  will  officially  recommend 
one  of  its  young  men  to  the  seminary  of  another  denomination,  or 
will,  with  loyal  and  liberal  spirit,  make  proper  effort  to  send  him  to 
our  own.— 1898,  p.  103. 

The  following  recommendations,  made  by  the  Committee  on  Theo- 
logical Seminary,  were  approved: 

That  the  General  Assembly  shall  order  the  Presbyteries  to  require 
that  all  under-graduate  study  of  theology  by  their  probationers,  if  it 
shall  be  pursued  in  seminary  course,  shall  be  taken  in  your  own 
Seminary,  at  Lebanon,  Tenn. 

That  the  Assembly  shall  require  Presbyteries  to  encourage  the  pro- 
bationers for  the  ministry,  who  are  not  able  to  take  the  Classical  Course 
in  theology,  to  take  the  English  Course,  inasmuch  as  the  future  har- 
mony and  rapid  development  of  the  Church  will  depend  in  large  de- 
gree upon  all  the  ministry  of  the  Church  being  acquainted  with  the 
same  ideas  and  methods  of  work. — 1898,  p.  60. 

8.   Church    colleges    expected    to    co-operate   with    the 

Seminary. 

The  General  Assembly  requested  colleges  of  the^  Church  to  co- 
operate with  the  Theological  School,  by  inducing  their  giaduates  who 
might  be  students  for  the  ministry,  to  study  theology  at  our  own  in- 
.stitution. — 1897,  p.  35. 


9.  The  Murdock  Library. 


Rev.  G.  T.  Stainback,  D.D.,  submitted  the  following  communication 
from  Ruling  Elder  Abram  Murdock,  of  Columbus,  Miss.,  dated  May 
17,  1869,  which,  on  motion,  was  referred  to  the  Committee  on  Edu- 
cation: 

Rev.  G.  T.  Stainback,  D.D.,  Murfreesboro,  Tenn. — Rev.  and  Dear 
Sir:  I  desire  you  to  present  to  the  Theological  Seminary,  at  Lebanon, 
through  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church, 
the  library  of  my  late  and  more  than  loved  father — Rev.  James  Mur- 
dock, S.T.D. — upon  the  condition  that  they  establish  a  Chair  in  Church 
History,  to  be  called  the  "Murdock  Professorship." 

I  am  aware  that  it  may  be  supposed  that  my  object  in  the  condition 
is  to  gain  notoriety,  and  gratify  a  personal  and  foolish  ambition. 
Please  do  me  the  favor  to  assure  the  General  Assembly  that  no  such 
consideration  forms  any  part  of  my  motive.  But  I  have  no  desire 
to  conceal  my  object;  on  the  contrary,  it  is  my  wish  to  avow  it  fully. 
My  father  was  left  an  orphan  at  the  tender  age  of  fourteen  months, 
with  little  or  no  patrimony.  In  early  life,  he  evinced  an  inordinate 
thirst  for  knowledge  and  it  continued   with  him  to  the  last  days  of 


THE  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY.  551 

a  life  of  eighty  years.  He  entered  the  ministry  soon  after  his 
graduation  at  Yale  College — having  studied  theology  under  that  emi- 
nent divine — the  elder  Dr.  Dwight —  and  soon  discovered  whax,  in  that 
day  seemed  to  be  neglected,  if  not  unknown,  to  wit;  the  importance 
of  having  our  clergy  informed  as  to  the  history  of  the  Church.  German 
theology,  running  into  Transcendentalism,  was  then  exciting  the 
Christian  world,  and  our  clergy  were  unprepared  to  meet  its  bold 
assertions  and  ingenious  reasonings.  This  he  believed  could  be  ob- 
viated, and  immediately  commenced  his  industrious  labors.  How  he 
succeeded,  and  what  benefit  he  has  conferred  upon  the  Church  (if  it 
has  not  already  been),  will  be  determined  by  the  learned  world.  I 
believe  he  was  the  first  on  this  Continent  who  occupied  a  Chair  de- 
voted exclusively  to  this  depariment. 

He  was  my  hvnu  ideal  of  goodness,  and  I  would  that  his  name  were 
transferred  to  posterity,  but  I  am  his  only  son,  and  at  my  death  it 
ceases.  The  only  distinction  I  ask  is  that  my  tombstone  may  record 
me  as  his  son. 

With  the  highest  respect,  and  most  affectionate  regard,  I  am  your 
friend,  Ahram  Mukdock. 

—1869,  p.  10. 

The  Board  of  Trustees  of  Cumberland  University,  in  their  report, 
1869,  spoke  as  follows: 

The  donation  of  the  magnificent  theological  library  of  the  lamented 
Dr.  Murdock,  Professor  of  Ecclesiastical  History  in  Yale  College,  has 
been  tendered  to  the  institution  on  terms  which  the  Trustees  gladly 
accept,  provided  the  approval  of  your  Reverend  Body  can  be  ob- 
tained. The  terms  are  that  we  establish  a  Chair  of  Ecclesiastical  His- 
tory to  be  called  the  "Murdock  Professorship."  Temporary  arrange- 
ments have  been  made  to  supply  the  necessary  lectures  and  instruc- 
tions in  this  Chair,  but  no  permanent  appointment  is  proposed  until 
full  endowment  for  the  Chair  can  be  secured. — 1869,  p.  19. 

The  following  from  the  report  of  the  Committee  on  Education  was 
adopted  by  the  Assembly; 

In  regard  to  the  communication  of  Hon.  A.  Murdock,  we  recom- 
mend that  your  Reverend  Body  approve  the  action  of  the  Trustees 
of  Cumberland  University  in  accepting  the  donation  of  the  Murdock 
Library,  and  in  creating  the  Murdock  Professorship.  We  recommend 
that  you  also  urge  on  your  churches  to  co-operate  with  the  Trustees 
in  raising  an  endowment  fund  for  the  Chair,  and  in  enlarging  the  en- 
dowment of  the  Theological  Department,  so  that  the  full  services  of 
an  ample  corps  of  teachers  be  secured. — 1869,  p.  25. 

10.  The  Hale  Reference  Library. 

The  Board  of  Visitors  to  the  Theological  Seminary  reported  the  fol- 
lowing; 


552  }\[RT  /'/.,  AGENCIES  OF  THE  ASSEiMBLV. 

We  are  grateful  to  God  to  be  able  to  say  that  the  library  of  the 
Theological  School  has  made  a  distinct  advancement  during  the  past 
year.  Many  generous  friends  of  Christian  education  have  come  for- 
ward with  notable  cash  offerings  to  the  Library  Fund.  Among  these 
it  is  proper  to  mention  the  following:  Mrs.  Dr.  Hale,  of  Morristown, 
Tenn.,  contributed  one  thousand  dollars  as  a  memorial  of  her  late 
lamented  husband;  P.  H.  Hardin,  Esq.,  of  Rome,  Ga.,  gives  one  hun- 
dred dollars;  a  "friend"  in  Huntingdon,  Tenn.,  gives  fifty  dollars;  Mrs. 
E.  J.  Stanabury,  of  Bloomington,  111.,  donates  fifty  dollars;  Mrs.  Lydia 
Phillips  gives  fifty  dollars;  Rev.  Geo.  G.  Hudson,  of  Osaka,  Japan, 
gives  fifty  dollars.  Thus  a  good  beginning  has  been  made  toward 
furnishing  proper  modern  library  facilities  to  our  Theological  School. 
This  is  only  a  beginning,  however.  Thousands  of  dollars  are  yet 
needed  in  order  to  provide  a  proper  library  equipment  for  our  young 
preachers  at  Lebanon. — 1898,  p.  151. 

VI.  THE   EDUCATIONAL   SOCIETY. 

As  early  as  1S3G  an  Educational  Society  was  organized,  under  a 
constitution,  with  Rev.  Robert  Donnell  as  President,  and  Rev.  Samuel 
King  as  Vice  President.— L83G,  pp.  281,  282,  MSS. 

The  object  of  the  Society  was  stated  in  the  following  article,  from 
its  constitution: 

This  association  shall  endeavor  to  raise  one  hundred  thousand  dol- 
lars to  establish  an  institution  and  endow  professorships,  at  which 
candidates  for  the  ministry  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church 
may  receive  a  suitable  education,  free  of  tuition  fees,  and  at  which 
other  persons  may  be  educated  on  reasonable  terms. — 1836,  p.  281, 
MSS. 

In  1855  a  Committee,  of  which  Dr.  Richard  Beard  was  Chairman,  sub- 
mitted a  constitution  for  a  proposed  Education  Society.  The  report 
of  this  Committee  was  adopted. — 1855,  p.  22. 

The  following  articles  are  taken  from  that  constitution: 

Article  1.  This  Society  shall  be  called  the  Education  Society  of 
the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church. 

Article  2.  Every  person  contributing  annually  the  sum  of  one  dol- 
lar, shall  be  a  member  of  this  Society. 

Article  ;5.  This  Society  shall  be  organized  by  the  appointment  of 
the  following  officers,  viz.:  one  President,  three  Vice  Presidents,  one 
Corresponding  Secretary,  one  Recording  Secretary,  one  Treasurer,  and 
six  Managers.  These  officers  and  managers  shall  constitute  an  Ex- 
ecutive Committee  of  the  Society,  one-half  of  whom  shall  constitute 
a  quorum  for  the  transaction  of  business. 

Article  10.  Every  young  man  who  receives  aid  from  this  Society 
must  produce  the  following  testimonials  to  the  Executive  Committee: 
that  he  is  a  candidate  for  the  ministry,  or  a  licentiate  under  the  care 


THE  EDCC.ITIO.WIL  SOCIETY.  .^S 

of  some  Presbytery  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church;  that  he 
is  of  a  pioiis  walk  and  conversation;  that  he  possesses  such  talents 
as  promise  usefulness  to  the  Church  and  to  the  world,  and  that  his 
temporal  circumstances  are  such  as  justify  him  in  asking  aid  of  this 
Society. 

Article  11.  Those  who  receive  aid  from  this  Society,  shall  be  re- 
quired to  lodge  with  tlie  Executive  Committee  a  written  statement  that 
it  is  their  intention  to  devote  themselves  to  the  work  of  the  ministry 
of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Churclr,  and  a  written  pledge,  that, 
should  they  at  any  time  relinquish  the  office  of  the  ministry,  other- 
wise tlian  for  providential  reasons,  or  change  their  church  relations, 
they  will  refund,  with  interest,  tlie  money  which  they  have  received 
from  the  Society. — 1855,  pp.  53-35. 

This  Society  M^as  doing  a  good  work  when  the  Civil  War  began.  For 
over  twenty  years  after  the  War  the  educational  interests  of  the 
Cliurcli  were  not  directed  tlirough  one  central  organization. 

In  1881  the  following,  offered  by  Piev.  S.  T.-  Anderson,  was 
adopted: 

irZ/r/if/.N,  Among  the  most  important  interests  which  ought  to  engage 
the  attention  of  every  branch  of  the  Church  of  .Jesus  Christ  is  the 
proper  education  of  tiiose  wlio  are  to  become  ministers  of  the  Gos- 
pel;  and, 

]l7(('r( (/.S-,  The  majority  of  the  candidates  for  the  ministry  in  the 
Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church  are  wanting  in  a  sufficient  amount 
of  pecuniary  means  to  enable  them  to  remain  at  school  a  sufficient 
length  of  time  to  enable  them  to  complete  a  full  course  of  study; 
therefore, 

Resolrcd,  That  this  General  Assembly  do  establisli  a  Board  of  Edu- 
cation, whose  object  shall  be  to  render  pecuniary  aid  to  said  can- 
didates while  in  school.  The  Board  of-  Education  shall  be  located 
at  Nasiiville,  Tennessee,  and  shall  be  composed  of  the  following  gen- 
tlemen, viz.:  Rev.  A.  .J.  Baird,  Rev.  J.  C.  Provine,  Rev.  J.  B.  Lindsley, 
Rev.  R.  M.  Tinnon,  and  John  Frizzell. 

The  Board  shall  organize,  secure  a  charter,  and  report  to  the  next 
General  Assembly,  subject  to  its  approval,  such  rules  and  regulations 
as  in  the  opinion  of  said  Board  should  be  prescribed  for  the  regulation 
of  its  business. — 1881,  p.  32,  33. 

To  the  next  General  Assembly  the  newly  appointed  Board  of  Education 
■aade  the  following  report: 

The  undersigned,  appointed  as  a  Board  of  Education  by  the  last 
General  Assembly,  respectfully  report  that,  having  obtained  a  charter 
of  incorporation,  which  is  herewith  submitted,  they  regularly  organ- 
ized, by  the  selection  of  the  officers  indicated  in  the  signature  hereto,  and 
they    now    respectfully    submit    for    the    concurrence    and    adoption    of 


554  PART  VI..  AGENCIES  OF  THE  ASSEMBLY. 

the  General  Assembly  a  statement  of  the  objects  and  purposes  of  the 
Board,  and  the  rules  and  regulations  for  its  government.  Respect- 
fully submitted,  A.   J.   Baiuu,  I'lcsident, 

J.  C.  PHOVi-Nt,  TieusHicr, 
R.   M.   Tix.NO.N,  Hecrctury, 

J.    B.    LiNDSlEV, 

Nashville,  May  15,  1882.  Joii.x  Frizzi:i.l. 

The  object  of  this  Board  is  chiefly  comprehended  in  three  things: 

1.  To  aid  indigent  young  men  who  are  preparing  for  the  ministry, 
to  obtain  a   suitable  education  for  that  important  work. 

2.  To  protect  those  who  furnish  this  aid  from  imposition,  and  thus 
foster  the  spirit  of  Christian  beneficence. 

3.  To  make  a  complete  annual  report  to  the  General  Assembly  of 
all  aid  rendered  to  young  men  by  our  schools,  b>  Presbyteries,  or  by 
individuals. 

In  order  that  the  Board  may  fully  carry  out  this  object,  it  asks 
that  the  General  Assembly  request  that  all  our  schools  which  afford 
gratuitous  tuition,  etc..  to  those  preparing  for  the  ministry,  take  from 
each  of  them,  at  the  close  of  each  session,  upon  suitable  blanks  fur- 
nished by  the  Board,  a  written  obligation  for  the  amount  of  said 
aid,  which  shall  be  paid  back  by  them  should  they  in  after  life  follow 
any  other  pursuit  than  that  of  the  actual  ministry  of  the  Gospel,  un- 
less they  shall  be  disabled  for  want  of  health;  and  said  schools  shall 
return  said  obligations  to  the  Board  of  Education,  to  be  held  and  used 
by  them  as  hereinafter  provided,  it  being  understood  that  donors 
may  give  absolutely,  if  they  so  desire. 

RULES    AND    RECiUL.VTIONS. 

1.  The  officers  of  this  Board  shall  consist  of  a  President,  a  Secretary, 
and  a  Treasurer. 

2.  These  officers  shall  be  elected  annually  by  the  Board. 

3.  The  Board,  through  its  Secretary,  shall  open  a  correspondence 
with  all  schools,  furnishing  them  with  blank  obligations  to  be  signed 
by  all  those  who  receive  aid,  and  be  returned  to  the  Board  properly 
certified  by  the  officers  of  said  schools,  and  reported  by  the  Board 
to  the  General  Assembly. 

4.  Should  the  above  obligations  become  due  and  collectable  as 
aforesaid,  the  Board  shall  proceed  to  collect  the  same,  and  hold  it 
subject  to  the  order  of  the  school  that  rendered  the  aid. 

5.  The  Board  shall  also,  so  far  as  possible,  open  a  correspondence 
with  each  of  the  Presbyteries  of  the  Church  and  induce  them  to 
furnish  such  aid  as  may  be  needed  by  young  men  under  their  care, 
taking  their  obligations  for  the  same,  and  returning  them  to  the 
Board:    and   should   these   obligations   become   due   and   collectable  as 


THE  EDCCATIOyAL  SOCIETY.  555 

aforesaid,  the  Board  siiall  prurted  to  collect  and  hold  the  same  sub- 
ject lo  tike  onier  <rf  the  Presbytery,  congregauon,  or  indiriduai,  as 
tbe.case  saiy  be,  vhich  rendered  the  aid. 

&  This  Board  shall  receire.  hold,  and  disburse  all  moneys  or  prop- 
erty liiAt  may  bt  entrosted  to  its  care,  bj"  bequest  or  otherwise,  as 
iireeied  by  the  donor. 

7.  This  Board  shall  be  fully  autborixed.  as  it  sees  proper,  to  raise 
mcmey  for  said  object,  by  agency,  pablic  collection,  or  by  any  other 
lawful  means. 

S-  The  Board  shall  make  an  anTinal  report  of  all  its  transactions  to 
the  General  Assembly. 

S.  The  Board  may  alter  aad  aiaeikd  any  of  the  foregoing  rules,  or 
add  others  as  it  may  choose,  subject  to  the  approval  of  the  General 
Assembly, 

CHABTEK  OF   EXCOaPOR^TlOX. 

^■f«/f  »>f  TfMme*ii«f — Charier  of  I»turpurmtHm : 

Be  it  Kjsow:!,  That  A.  J.  Baird,  J.  C.  ProTine,  J.  B.  Lindsley,  R.  M. 
Tinnon,  and  John  Frizzell.  and  their  snccessors,  are  hereby  c-onstituted 
a  body  politic  and  c-orporate.  by  the  name  and  style  of  the  "Board 
c^  EJuc-ation  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,"  for  the  purpose 
of  a-ETLsing  and  carrying  into  execution  ways  and  means  of  rendering 
pecuniary  aid  to.  and  ocherwise  assisting  c-andidates  for  the  ministry 
in  said  Church  while  preparing  for  the  ministry,  and  for  the  purpose 
of  collecting  information  as  lo  what  is  being  done  from  time  to  time 
on  rh7~  subject,  and  making  proper  record  and  report  thereof. 

The  general  powers  cf  said  corporation  shall  be  to  sue  and  be  sued 
by  the  corporate  name;  to  have  and  use  a  common  seal,  which  it  may 
alter  at  pleasure:  if  no  common  seal,  then  the  signature  of  the  name 
of  the  «»rporation  by  any  duly  authorized  offic-er  shall  be  legal  and 
landing:  to  purchase  and  hold,  or  receive  by  gift,  bequest,  or  devise, 
and  dispose  of  for  the  purposes  of  the  corporation,  personal  prop- 
erty, and  real  estate;  to  establish  by-laws  and  make  all  rules  and 
regulations,  not  inc-onsistent  with  the  laws  and  constitution,  deemed 
expedient  for  the  management  of  the  corporate  affairs;  and  to  ap- 
point such  subordinate  offic-ers  and  agents  as  the  business  of  the 
corporation  may  recuire.  designate  the  name  of  the  office,  and  fix 
the  compensation  of  the  officer. 

The  said  five  corporators  shall,  within  a  c-onvenient  time  after  the 
registration  of  this  charter  in  the  office  of  the  Secretary  of 
State,  elect  from  their  number  a  President,  Secretary,  and  Treas- 
nrer,  or  the  last  two  officers  may  be  combined  into  one,  as  said  cor- 
poration may  frtHD  time  to  tiane  detenaine.  The  corporation  shall 
have  power  to  increase  the  av^ber  eoastitiitifig  said  Board.  Va- 
cancies in  said  Board  by  death,  removal,  resignation,  or  otherwise. 


65(>  i'AKT  /'/.,  AGENCIES  OE  THE  ASSEMBLY. 

shall  be  filled,  and  additions  thereto  shall  be  made,  by  said  Board  at 
any  meeting  thereof,  a  quorum  being  present,  subject  to  raiificacion 
by  the  General  Assembly  of  said  Church.  A  majority  of  said  Board 
shall  constitute  a  quorum  for  the  transaction  of  all  business. 

The  general  welfare  of  society,  not  individual  profit,  is  the  object 
for  which  this  charter  is  granted,  and  hence  the  members  are  not 
stockholders  in  the  legal  sense  of  the  term,  and  no  dividends  or 
profits  shall  be  divided  among  the  members. 

We,  the  undersigned,  apply  to  the  State  of  Tennessee,  by  virtue  of 
the  laws  of  the  land,  for  a  charter  of  incorporation,  for  the  purposes 
and  with  the  powers,  etc.,  declared  in  the  foregoing  instrument. 

Witness  our  hands,  the  15th  day  of  November,  ISSl. 

A.    J.    BxVlKD, 
J.    C.    PUOVINE, 
J.    B.    LiXDSLEV, 

R.  M.  TiNiNOA, 

JOHX   FlUZZELI.. 

— 1S82,  pp.  92,  [)3. 

AilEXnilEXT  TO  niARTEU,   KKfilSTEHEIl  .TTXE  25l.ll,   1895. 

.S7r//r  o/"  Trmicssa: — Vliancr  AincmhiintI : 

We,  the  undersigned,  compi'ising  the  Board  of  Directors  of  the 
Board  of  Education  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,  apply  to 
the  State  of  Tennessee,  by  virtue  of  the  general  laws  of  the  land,  for 
an  amendment  to  said  Charter  of  Incorporation,  for  the  following  pur- 
poses: 

First.  For  a  thaUc'e  of  name  of  said  corporation  from  "The  Board 
of  Education  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,"  to  "The  Edu- 
cational  Society   of   the   Cumberland   Presbyterian    Church." 

Second.  To  change  the  first  clause  of  the  Charter  of  said  incorpo- 
ration, reciting  the  objects  and  purposes  thereof,  and  to  mal:e  it  read 
as  follows,  viz.: 

For  the  purposes  of  carrying  into  execution  ways  and  means  of 
rendering  pecuniary  aid  to,  a,nd  otherwise  assisting,  candidates  for 
the  ministry,  and  lor  missionary  work  in  said  Church  while  prepar- 
ing for  the  ministry,  and  for  said  missionary  work,  and  for  the  pur- 
pose of  collecting  information  as  to  what  is  being  done,  from  time 
to  time,  in  behalf  of  these  objects,  and  malcing  proper  record  and 
report  thereof;  also  for  the  purpose  of  helping  to  sustain  the  The- 
ological School  or  Schools  established  or  indorsed  by  the  General  As- 
sembly of  said  Church,  as  the  Assembly  may  direct;  also  for  the^ 
purpose  of  promoting  a  higher  Christian  education  throughout  the 
whole  Church,  and  serving  as  a  channel  of  information  to  the  de- 
nomination on  all  educational  matters,  co-operating  with,  and  as- 
sisting  in   all   proper   ways,    the   various    schools   of  the    Church   and 


THE  EDUCATIONAL  SOCIETY.  557 

making  a  complete  exhibit  of  the  same  in  its  annual  report;  also 
to  procure  the  establishment  of  auxiliary  societies  throughout  the 
■Church. 

Witness  our  hands,  this  19th  day  of  June,  1895. 

I.  D.  Steele, 

,  J.     B.     L,I.\USLEV, 

J.     M.     HlUUEKT, 
J.     A.     CaKTW  UIGHT, 

Fka.xk  Si.emo.ns. 

\,  The  Board  employed  an  agent  to  endow  the  Theo- 
logical Seminary. 

The  Board  was  instructed  by  the  General  Assembly  to  employ  an 
Agent  to  solicit  funds  for  the  endowment  of  the  Theological  Semi- 
nary.—1SS5,  p.  29. 

In  its  report  the  following  year,  the  Beard  stated  that  it  had  em- 
ployed Rev.  J.  S.  Grider  as  Agent  for  the  endowment  of  the  Seminary. 
— 1SS6,  p.  139. 

[Note. — See  Part  VI.,  "Agencies  of  the  General  Assembly,"  '"Theo- 
logical Seminary,"  Section  4,  "Financial  Agents,"  p.  54.5.] 

2.  School  established  for  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian 
Churchy  Colored. 

The  Board  assisted  in  establishing  a  school  for  the  benefit  of  this 
Church. — 1SS7,  p.  137.  In  1888  the  Board  reported  the  following:  All 
of  the  purchase  money  has  been  paid  on  this  school,  and  the  buildings 
placed  in  a  pretty  fair  state  of  repair.  The  deed  of  the  property  is  to 
this  denomination,  but  to  be  used  for  the  purposes  of  a  school  for 
colored  people.  A  school  is  being  conducted  under  charge  of  Rev.  H. 
A.  Gibson,  with  much  show  of  success.  This  Board  has  expended  all 
money  received,  $3,095.35,  to  the  purposes  of  said  school,  and  now  re- 
gard their  duties  in  connection  therewith  as  at  an  end. — 1888,  p.  142. 

3.  Progress  of  the  Board's  work. 

The  work  of  the  Board  did  not  fairly  begin  until  1888.  In  1889  it 
reported  the  following;  The  fiscal  year  of  this  Board,  which  closed 
April  1st,  has  witnessed  the  awakening  of  the  Church  to  the  great 
importance  of  this  work;  a  new  life  is  astir;  the  importance  of  a 
universally  educated  ministry  is  being  felt;  the  heart. of  the  Church 
beats  more  responsively  and  the  interest  increases.  While  the  sympa- 
thy of  a  few  faithful  ones  has  always  been  with  us,  the  first  real 
response   from    the   Church   at   large   has   been    made   this   year.     The 


558  PART  VI.,  AGENCIES  OE  THE  ASSEMIILY. 

Board  has  been  in  existence  for  eiglit  years,  but  from  lack  of  a  quarter 
for  collections,  and  other  causes,  the  entire  contribution  for  the  first 
seven  years  was  only  $688.57,  while  for  the  year  just  closed  it  amounts 
to  $2,030.90,  and  of  special  or  reported  donations,  $270,  making  a 
total  of  $2,300.90,  or  a  contribution  in  one  year  more  than  three  times 
as  much  as  in  the  seven  preceding  years.  Surely  we  should  be  thank- 
ful and  take  fresh  courage  for  the  future.  Instead  of  19  contributing 
Presbyteries,  as  last  year,  this  year  we  have  85.  Instead  of  only  37 
churches,  we  now  have  323.— 1889,  p.  147. 

4.  Policy  changed  from  that  of  loan  to  that  of  gift. 

The  Assembly  adopted  the  following  from  the  report  of  the  Commit- 
tee on  Education: 

Inasmuch  as  the  circumstances  which  gave  rise  to  what  is  knov/n 
as  the  "loan  policy"  of  the  Board,  and  which  seemed  to  render  said 
policy  a  necessity  for  a  time,  no  longer  exist,  the  Committee  recom- 
mend that  the  Assembly  instruct  the  Board  to  change  the  policy 
to  that  of  gifts  to  the  young  men,  it  being  understood  that  this  is 
only  a  policy,  and  is  not  to  be  interpreted  as  inflexible  to  the  extent 
that  the  Board  shall  not  lend  money  to  young  men  at  all,  but  that 
the  Board  exercise  an  unrestricted  discretion  on  this  subject  in  not 
refusing  to  accept  "return  notes"  when  voluntarily  offered  by  the 
beneficiaries  or  in  loaning  in  other  cases  when  the  judgment  of  the 
Board  is  clear  as  to  its  propriety;  and  that  the  question  as  to  rescind- 
ing the  notes  which  have  been  taken  under  the  previous  policy  be 
left  to  the  discretion  and  better  information  of  the  Board,  believing 
that  its  members  will  exercise  wise  and  prayerful  discrimination  in 
each  individual  case,  influenced  by  the  principle  that  the  feeling  of 
the  Church  is  now  the  "gift  policy." — 1892,  p.  35. 

5.  Re-organization — Educational  Society. 

The  following  is  from  the  Board's  report  in  1896: 

With  but  little  inconvenience  and  small  expense  the  necessary 
changes  have  been  made  in  the  charter  oi  the  Board,  as  required  by 
the  action  of  the  last  General  Assembly. 

By  the  provisions  of  this  charter  you  have  opened  to  your  Society 
a  broad  and  comprehensive  field.  To  the  best  of  our  ability  we  will 
serve  as  your  agents  in  cultivating  it. — 1896,  p.  101. 

6.  The  Board  assisted  in  supporting  the  faculty  of  the 
Theological  Seminary. 

The  following  from  the  report  of  the  Committee  on  Education  was 
adopted  by  the  Assembly: 


THE  EDUCATIONAL  SOCIETY.  559 

In  order  that  the  young  men  may  be  thoroughly  trained,  it  is  neces- 
sary that  tlie  Theological  School  be  fully  equipped,  and  we  therefore 
approve  of  the  plan  of  the  General  Assembly,  through  its  Board  of 
Education,  helping  to  strengthen  and  maintain  the  Faculty  of  the  The- 
ological School,  until  such  time  as  the  endowment  will  support  the 
entire  Faculty.— 1S95,  p.  26. 

In  1896  the  Educational  Society  incorporated  the  following  into  its 
report : 

We  have  endeavored  to  keep  the  interests  of  our  Theological  Semi- 
nary prominently  before  the  Church,  particularly  the  necessity  of 
increasing  the  attendance  of  students,  and  supplementing  the  endow- 
ment for  the  support  of  the  Faculty.  Early  in  the  year  we  submitted 
to  the  Board  of  Trustees  the  following  communication: 

"Deak  Bkethke.x: — At  Little  Rock,  Ark.,  May,  1893,  the  General 
Assembly  of  our  Church  appointed  a  Committee  to  provide  for  the 
addition  of  two  Professors  to  the  Faculty  of  the  Theological  SchooL 
At  the  General  Assembly  of  1894,  the  Committee  reported  nothing 
done,  and  this  responsibility  was  transferred  from  that  body  to  the 
Board  of  Education.  Through  the  agency  of  this  Board,  and  by  your 
vote  and  the  coniirmation  of  the  General  Assembly,  Professor  J.  V. 
Stephens  was  added  to  the  Faculty,  the  Board  of  Education  being  solely 
responsible  for  his  support.  The  last  General  Assembly  created  an 
Educational  Society  in  lieu  of  the  Board  of  Education  and  ordered 
that  the  charter  should  require  the  Society  to  assist  in  supporting  the 
Theological  School  or  Schools,  established  and  endorsed  by  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly.  Thus  the  Educational  Society,  by  the  terms  of  its 
charter,  was  made  an  ally  of  your  Board  in  supporting  the  Theological 
School  or  Schools  in  any  part  of  its  work  as  the  General  Assembly- 
may  direct. 

"We  therefore  submit  to  your  Board  that  it  is  not  now  necessary  or 
desirable  for  the  Educational  Society  to  be  regarded  as  supporting 
any  particular  professor,  but  rather  that  it  should  be  looked  upon  as 
merely  supplementing  the  endowment  of  the  Theological  School  to  such 
extent  as  the  General  Assembly  may  order,  and  until  such  time  as  its 
services  in  this  behalf  shall  be  no  longer  needed.  Hence  we  propose 
that  hereafter  (during  the  current  year)  the  Educational  Society  shall 
pay  into  the  treasury  of  your  Board  the  sum  of  $1,200  per  annum,  as 
nearly  as  possible  in  equal  monthly  installments,  the  same  to  be  dis- 
tributed by  your  Board  as  you  see  fit.  The  Board  of  Education  having 
contracted  to  pay  Professor  Stephens  $1,200  per  annum,  it  is  assumed 
that  you  will  continue  his  salary  at  that  figure.  This  proposed  ar- 
rangement has  been  submitted  to  Professor  Stephens  and  the  same  is 
entirely  satisfactory  to  him." 

The  Board  of  Trustees  approved  of  this  communication  and  ac- 
cepted the  proposition  therein  contained,  it  having  been  first  submitted 
to  the   Theological    Faculty   for   their   approval.     Thus   the   particular 


560  PART  VI.,  AGENCIES  OE  THE  ASSEiVJlLY. 

relation  between  this  Board  and  Professor  Stepliens  lias  ceased  and 
our  transactions  are  now  with  the  Treasurer  of  the  Board  of  Trustees. 
Of  the  sum  here  agreed  upon  to  be  paid  to  the  Trustees  we  realize 
$300  from  editing  Bible  Study,  this  extra  work  being  done  by  Professor 
Stephens.  The  amount  we  are  paying  this  year  for  the  Educational 
Fund  is  $9U0.  By  the  change  of  charter  the  General  Assembly  has  laid 
down  the  principle  that  it  is  as  important  to  provide  for  the  teaching 
oi:  young  men  as  it  is  to  look  to  their  material  wants.  We  assume, 
however,  that  the  amount  of  money  to  be  thus  appropriated  will  vary 
uom  time  to  time  according  to  the  necessities  of  the  Theological  Semi- 
nary. By  increase  of  endowment  the  sum  necessary  to  be  paid  will 
naturally  be  diminished,  except  as  the  needs  of  the  Seminary  may  re- 
quire an  increase  of  money  for  the  support  of  the  Faculty  or  for  other 
purposes.— 1896,  pp.  102,  103. 

[NoTK.— See  Part  VI.,  "Agencies  of  the  General  Assembly,"  under 
"Theological  Seminary,"  (14),  "Rkv.  .J.  V.  Stkphk.ns  klkcted  a.nu  co.n- 
FijiMKi)  AS  A  PiiuFKssoi:"  iu  the  Theological  Seminary,  p.  537.] 

7.  Educational  Society  a  channel  of  information. 

The  Assembly  adopted  the  following; 

We  approve  of  the  idea  of  the  Board  oE  Education  being  a  channel 
Oi  assistance  and  information  among  all  the  schools  and  colleges  of 
the  Church,  and  recommend  that  all  the  literary  institutions  of  the 
Church  be  requested  to  report  anniuilly,  through  this  Board,  to  the 
General  Assembly,  as  to  their  work,  their  condition,  theii'  needs  and 
prospects,  in  order  that  the  Secretary  of  that  Board  may  tabulate  said 
.reports  and  present  them  to  the  General  Assembly,  as  the  most  prac- 
tical means  of  getting  the  data  concerning  these  things  before  the 
public— 1895,  p.  26. 

8.  Presbyteries  must  give  attention  to  the  education  of 
their  probationers. 

The  General  Assembly  adopted  the  following  recommendations:  We 
recomnieuci  that  you  require  every  Presbytery  to  give  prompt,  sys- 
tematic, and  constant  attention  to  the  education  of  its  probationers, 
and  that  any  Presbytery  neglecting  this  mandate  be  held  as  deserving 
of  censure  from  thi;-  body.  Also  that  each  Presbytery  be  directed  to 
do  this  work  in  an  organized  way,  an  Educational  Society,  auxiliary 
to  the  General  Assembly's  Board,  witli  such  special  provisions  as  the 
Presbytery  may  desire  to  adopt,  being  suggested  as  the  best  form  of 
such  organized  effort. 

Those  in  charge'  of  this  work  in  the  Presbytery  shall  co-operate 
with  pastors  and  church  Sessions  in  securing  as  many  as  possible  in 
every  congregation  Avho  will  become  members  of  the  Educational  So- 
ciety  of   the    Presbyterj ,    by    paying   such    annual    membership    fee   as 


THI'.  EDUCATIONAL  SOCIETY.  561 

the  Presbytery  may  prescribe;  all  such  amounts  to  be  credited  to 
the  congregations  to  which  the  individuals  belong.  The  aim  shall  thus 
be,  through  the  Presbytery  and  each  separate  pastor,  to  establish  a 
permanent  constituency  that  can  be  relied  upon  for  regular  annual 
contributions  to  the  cause  of  education. 

Either  by  public  or  private  collection  all  other  members  of  a  con- 
gregation are  expected  to  be  given  an  opportunity  to  contribute  to 
this  cause. — 1895,  p.  2G. 

In  view  of  all  the«e  facts  and  of  cercain  memorials  which  have 
come  into  the  hands  of  your  Committee,  and  of  other  things  which 
we  have  not  time  to  review,  we  make  the  following  recommendations: 

1.  That  yoti  instruct  the  Presbytei'ies  to  notify  each  congregation  in 
r.eir  several  limits  of  the  minimum  amount  desired  from  each  church 
for  the  work  of  the  Educational  Society,  and  to  hold  the  congregations 
to  an  account  before  the  Presbytery  for  the  performance  of  this  duty. 

?.  'I'hat  you  instruct  the  Presbyteries  to  require  their  Committees 
on  Examination  to  make  frequent  inquiries  after  the  welfare  of  the 
young  ministers  who  should  be  in  school  and  who  may  be  needing 
counsel  and  financial  aid. 

3.  That  you  instruct  the  Presbyteries  to  hold  their  young  men  to 
account  to  the  authority  of  the  Presbytery  for  remissions  in  attend- 
ing to  the  duties  of  preparation,  that  indolence  may  be  rebuked  and 
unworthiness  excommunicated. 

•1.  That  you  instruct  the  Presbyteries  to  use  their  lawful  atithority 
to  secure  the  attendance  of  their  probationers  at  our  schools,  and  es- 
pecially at  our  Theological  School;  and  that  applications  for  scholar- 
ships in  other  institutions  than  our  own  schools  be  accompanied 
with  the  recommendations  of  the  Presl)ytery,  or  its  Educational  Com- 
mittee, with  the  information  to  the  parties  concerned  that  it  is  the 
will  of  the  General  Assembly  that  said  benefits  should  be  granted  only 
when  the  application  is  accompanied  by  the  request  of  the  Presbytery 
or  its  Educational  Committee,  such  as  is  required  at  present  by  all 
our  own  institutions.     Adopted. — 1897,  p.  35. 

In  reference  to  the  last  item,  the  Educational  Society,  at  the  next 
Assembly,  reported  as  follows:  Following  the  direction  given  by  the 
General  Assembly  a  year  ago,  we  commtmicated  with  the  authorities  of 
various  seminaries  of  other  denominations,  making  known  the  desire  of 
the  General  Assembly  that  such  of  our  probationers  as  might  apply  to 
them  for  scholarships  or  other  financial  aid  should  be  required  to  ac- 
company their  applications  with  the  recommendation  of  the  Presby- 
tery to  which  they  belong,  or  its  Educational  Committee.  The  re- 
plies to  this  communication  were  prompt  and  cordial,  the  propriety 
of  the  request  being  acknowledged  and  assurance  being  given  that  the 
wish  of  the  General  Assembly  would  be  duly  regarded.  In  all  such 
cases  it  now  remains  to  be  seen  whether  a  Presbytery  will  officially 
recommend  one  of  its  young  men  to  the  seminary  of  another  de- 
36 


,662  PART  VI.,  AGENCIES  OE  THE  ASSEMBLY. 

nomination,  or  will,  with  loyal  and   liberal   .spirit,   malce  proper  effort 
to  send  liim  to  our  own. — 1898,  p.  103. 

We  recommend  that  the  General  A.ssembly  ahall  order  that  Presby- 
teries require  that  all  under-graduate  study  of  theology  by  their  pro- 
bationers, if  it  fchall  be  pursued  in  seminary  course,  shall  be  taken 
in  your  own  Seminary,  at  Lebanon,  Tenn.     Adopted. — 1898,  p.   60. 

9.  Policy  changed  back  from  that  of  gift  to  that  of  loan. 

The  following  recommendations  were  adopted: 
,  Looking  to  the  establishment  of  a  permanent  and  increasing  edu- 
cational fund,  and  believing  that  the  general  idea  ot  a  loan  would 
be  more  acceptable  to  the  young  men  in  need  of  aid,  and  at  the 
same  time  offer  greater  inducements  to  men  of  means  to  contribute 
their  money  to  luis  important  cause  of  the  Church,  we  therefore 
recommend  that  hereafter  the  Board  be  instructed  to  grant  aid  to 
young  men  on  uie  basis  of  a  loan,  without  interest,  the  same  to  be 
paid  back  in  installments,  such  as  may  be  agreed  upon  by  the  Board, 
and  this  money  to  be  treated  as  a  return  loan  and  credited  in  the 
Board's  annual  report  to  the  General  Assembly. 

That  exceptions  be  allowed  on  the  recommendation  of  the  Pres- 
bytery, when,  in  its  judgment,  for  good  and  sufficient  reason,  the- 
person  borrowing  is  unable  to  repay. 

That  full  details  be  given  in  every  case  by  the  Presbytery,  blanks 
being  provided  by  the  Board  for  that  purpose. 

Those  who  in  former  years  have  received  aid  as  donations  through 
the  Educational  Fund  shall  be  given  the  opportunity,  if  they  are 
willing,  to  enroll  themselves  on  the  books  of  the  Educational  So- 
ciety to  repay  in  insLallments  all  or  part  of  the  amount  received, 
as  they  may  be  disposed.  This  shall  be  considered  wholly  a  matter 
of  choice  on  their  part. 

For  the  sake  of  uniformity  in  the  appropriation  of  educational 
money,  the  General  Assembly  requests  Presbyteries  that  furnish  money 
to  young  men  preparing  for  the  ministry,  reporting  the  same  to  the 
Board,  to  adopt  the  loan  herein  required  of  the  Educational  Society, 
allowing  the  plan  of  giving,  instead  of  lending,  if  there  be  exceptions' 
to  the  rule,  as  in  their  judgment  may  seem  proper.  For  this  purpose 
Presbyteries  are  requested  to  use  same  olanks  as  those  used  by  the 
Educational  Society;  thus  securing  like  treatment  for  all  probationers 
throughout  the  denomination.     Adopted. — 1898,  pp.  93,  94. 

JO.  Secretaries  and  Treasurers  of  the  Board. 

(1)  Rev.  J.  R.   Heary,   Secretary  and  Treasurer. 

The  Board,  believing  the  interest  of  the  work  demanded  it,  have 
consolidated  the  offices  of  Secretary  and  Treasurer,  and  elected  thereto 


THE  EDUCATIONAL  SOCIETY.  56i; 

the  Rev.  J.  R.  Henry,  the  present  pastor  of  Watkins  Park  Church, 
Nashville,  Tennessee,  at  a  salary  of  four  hundred  dollars  per  annum, 
who,  in  conjunction  with  his  pastoral  duties,  and  until  the  work  shall 
demand  his  whole  time,  will  discharge  the  duties  of  the  office.  He 
was  not  elected  a  member  of  the  Board,  but  is  an  officer  of  it,  and 
subject  to  its  orders,  and  is  the  only  salaried  officer  of  the  Board. — 

1590,  p.  96. 

During  the  past  twelve  months  the  correspondence  of  the  Board 
has  been  constantly  growing  heavier,  and  so  much  time  is  required 
'properly  to  discharge  the  duties  of  the  Secretary  and  Treasurer,  and 
to  develop  the  work  of  the  Board,  that  it  became  evident  that  the 
whole  time  of  a  competent  man  should  be  devoted  to  the  interests 
of  the  Board.  After  a  full  discussion  of  the  matter,  at  a  meeting 
of  the  Board,  when  all  the  members  were  present,  it  was  unani- 
mously determined  .that  a  Secretary  and  Treasurer  should  be  em- 
ployed for  all  his  time,  and  as  Brother  Henry  had  served  so  ef- 
ficiently in  that  capacity,  giving  entire  satisfaction,  he  was  elected  to 
the  office,  at  a  salary  of  $1,000  per  annum,  his  necessary  traveling 
expenses  to  be  paid  by  the  Board.  Brother  Henx-y  accepted  the  of- 
fice, resigned  his  pastorate,  and  entered  upon  his  duties  April  1,  1891. 
We  ask  your  approval  and  ratification  of  this  action  of  the  Board. — 

1591,  p.  115. 

To  this  the  General  Assembly  responded  as  follows:  The  Board,  at 
a  recent  meeting,  secured  the  entire  time  of  Rev.  J.  R.  Henry  as  Sec- 
retary. In  this  we  think  the  wisdom  and  action  of  the  Board  should 
be  commended  and  indorsed.  This  means  more  effective  work  on 
the  part  of  the  Board,  and  a  more  systematic  and  thorough  develop- 
ment of  the  great  interest  of  ministerial  education  in  our  beloved 
Church.— 1891,  p.  33. 

In  June  last,  on  account  of  his  long-continued  illness  and  the  pros- 
pect of  slow  recovery  of  health,  Rev.  J.  R.  Henry,  who  had  faithfully 
and  efficiently  served  as  Secretary  and  Treasurer,  offered  his  resigna- 
tion, which  was  accepted. — 1893,  p.  111. 

(2)  Rev.  A.  G.  Beugex,   Sechetarv  and  TnEAStuEu. 

Rev.  A.  G.  Bergen,  of  Evansville.  Ind.,  was  chosen  to  fill  the  va- 
cancy [made  by  the  re.signation  of  Rev.  J.  R.  Henry]. — 1893,  p.  111. 

In  view  of  the  action  of  the  last  General  Assembly,  requiring  the 
Boards  of  Education  and  Ministerial  Relief  to  employ  one  Secretary, 
Rev.  A.  G.  Bergen,  Secretary  of  this  Board,  tendered  his  resignation 
at  the  first  meeting  after  the  adjournment  of  the  General  Assembly. 
The  resignation  was  accepted,  to  take  effect  September  1,  1894.  Thus 
were  sundered  the  relations  between  Mr.  Bergen  and  this  Board,  which 
have  been  uniformly  agreeable.  We  take  pleasure  in  here  recording 
our  high  appreciation  of  the  marked  fidelity  and  conscientious  devotion 
with  which  he  discharged  the  duties  of  his  office. — 1895,  p.  114. 


564  PART  VI.,  AGENCIES  OF  THE  .<SSEMBLl\ 

(3)  Rev.  W.  J.   Daeby,  D.D.,  Skcretary  a.xw  TuEAauRBE.. 

Obedient  to  your  order,  we  proceeded  promptly  to  confer  witk  t&e 
Board  of  Ministerial  Relief  regai-ding  the  employment  (i£  a  Seci-etary. 
With  great  unanimity,  on  the  part  of  both  Boards,  Dr,  W.  J.  Darby 
was  elected  to  this  office,  and  he  entered  upon  his  duties  September  1, 
1894.— 1895,  p.  114. 

Dr.  Darby  is  still  (1899)  the  Secretar^^  and  Treasurer  of  the  EMuca.- 
tional  Society. 

VII.     BOARD  OF  MINISTERIAL  RELIEF. 

In  the  earlier  history  of  the  Church,  the  care  of  the  dependent  su- 
perannuated ministers  and  their  families  was  left,  for  the  mGKit  part, 
to  the  Presbyteries  and  the  local  churches.  Occasionally,  however,, 
some  specific  case  was  brought  to  the  attention  of  the  General  Assem- 
bly.    The  following  are  instances  of  this  class: 

W  her  en  a,  This  General  Assembly  haii  learned  that  the  Rev.  Samuel 
McAdow,  our  oldest  preacher  and  one  of  those  who  aided  in  the  con- 
stitution of  our  Church,  is  now  living  in  the  State  of  Illinois;  and 
knowing  that  he  is  old  and  afflicted,  and  in  circumstances  quite 
necessitous; 

L'csulnd,  by  this  General  Assembly,  That  Rev.  John  Barbour,  Sr., 
endeavor  to  learn  the  true  condition  of  the  aged  father  and  report 
to  the  next  Assembly;  and  that  this  Assembly  feel  bound  to  sustain 
him,  if  need  be,  as  long  as  he  lives.  This  is  in  addition  to  the  pres- 
ent aid,  afforded  by  the  personal  contributions  by  the  General  Assembly 
and  others,  and  now  transmitted  by  a  brother. — 1833,  pp.  171-173,  MSS. 

The  Committee  authorized  to  receive  contributions  for  the  benefit 
of  the  Rev.  Samuel  McAdow  reported  the  receipt  of  $107. OG. — 1834,  p. 
212,  MSS. 

On  motion,  the  following  preamble  and  resolution  were  adopted: 

Wlicrcas,  This  Assembly  has  knowledge  of  the  dependent  situation 
of  the  wife  and  family  of  Brother  McLinn,  deceased;   therefore, 

lU'soIvcd,  That  their  situation  be  presented  to  the  Church,  and  a  col- 
lection made  for  their  benefit  and  forwarded  to  the  next  General 
Assembly. 

The  following  report  was  received  and  adopted: 

The  Committee,  appointed  to  receive  donations  in  favor  of  Father 
McAdow  and  Mrs.  McLinn  and  family,  report  that  they  have  received 
for  Mrs.  McLinn  and  family  one  hundred  and  twenty  dollars,  and 
for  Father  McAdow  one  hundred  and  five  dollars.— 1836,  p.   276,  MSS. 

The  following  preamble  and  resolutions  were  adopted: 

irZ/rrc^.s,  It  is  a  fact  that  there  are  those  among  the  ministry  of  the 
Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church  who  have  spent  the  strength  and 
vigor  of  manhood  in  the  arduous  work  of  preaching  tlie  Gospel,  and 
have  nov/  reached  an  age  of  infirmity  and  circumstances  of  dependence. 


MINISTERIAL  RELIEF.  565 

and  may  be  without  substantial  subsistence  for  themselves  and  those 
necessarily  dependent  upon  them;  and,  whereas,  it  Is  both  reasonable 
and  highly  probable,  that  such  will  continue  to  be  the  case;  and, 
whereas,  it  has  been  divinely  ordained  that  they  who  "preach  the 
Gospel  should  live  of  the  Gospel;"  therefore, 

lic.sohal,  That  it  is  the  duty  of  the  Church  to  provide  for  the 
relief  of  the  destitute,  superannuated  ministry. 

Jic:iulvcd,  That  the  Presbyteries  are  the  proper  judicatories  to  take 
the  entire  management  and  control  of  this  work. 

h'csolnd,  That  this  subject  is  hereby  recommended  to  the  careful 
consideration  of  the  Presbyteries,  and  each  is  requested  to  take  such 
action  as  will  bring  the  subject  before  the  congregations,  and  as- 
certain the  destitution,  solicit  contributions,  and  relieve  the  needy. 

Jicauhcd,  That  it  is  desirable  and  earnestly  requested  that  the  Stated 
Clerks  of  Presbyteries  report  the  action  of  the  same  to  the  Stated 
Clerk  of  the  General  Assembly,  and  that  he  report  the  aggregate 
annually.— 1S73,  p.  20. 

This  deliverance  was  re-aflBrmed  the  following  year. — 1874,  pp.  34,  35. 

In  1880,  the  Presbytery  of  Hiwassee  (.now  Knoxville)  sent  a  memo- 
rial to  the  General  Assembly,  raising  the  question  of  the  advisability 
of  this  work's  being  done  through  a  central  Board  instead  of  by  the 
Presbyteries.— 1880,  p.   11. 

The  memorial  was  referred  to  a  Committee,  which  reported  thereon, 
and  ihe  whole  matter  was  disposed  of  by  the  General  Assembly  as 
follows: 

The  Committee  on  Sustentation  of  Superannuated  Ministers  sub- 
mitted a  report,  which,  on  motion,  was  referred  to  a  Special  Committee 
of  two  ministers  and  two  elders,  to  be  appointed  by  the  Moderator, 
whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  consider  the  papers  referred  to  them,  and 
repoi't  to  the  next  General  Assembly.  On  said  Committee  the  Mod- 
erator appointed  Ministers  R.  H.  Caldwell,  W.  J.  Darby,  and  Ruling 
Elders  W.  F.  Nisbet  and  B.  Bransford.     Said  report  is  as  follows: 

Your  Committee  on  Sastentation  have  had  this  subject  under  prayer- 
ful consideration,  and  express  the  judgment  thai;  there  are  compara- 
tively few  cases  in  your  Church  where  men  of  frugal  habits  have 
spent  their  lives  exclusively  in  the  Gospel  ministry  and  are  found 
to  be  in  want  in  old  age.  But  as  there  may  be  a  few  faithful  ones  who, 
for  reason.s  not  understood,  are  left  in  advanced  life  without  means 
of  support,  it  should  be  a  pleasure  to  the  Church  to  provide  for  their 
comfort. 

This  provision  should  be  made  by  the  several  Presbyteries  in  behalf 
of  their  superannuated  ministers;  but  as  there  may  be  some  Presby- 
teries not  able  or  not  Avilling  to  give  sufficient  aid  to  these  worthy 
ones,  we  recommend: 

1st.  That  you  appoint  a  Permanent  Committee  of  two  ministers  and 
two  elders,  who  shall  have  supervision  of  this  work  as  your  agents. 


566  PART  /'/.,  AGENCIES  OF  THE  ASSEMBLY. 

2d,  That  this  Committee  shall  devise  the  ways  and  means  to  collect, 
the  charity  of  the  Church  for  this  purpose;  provided,  however,  that 
every  minister  of  the  Church  is  hereby  earnestly  requested  to  send 
at  least  one  contribution  from  his  several  charges  each  year,  to  said 
Sustentation  Committee,  of  which  the  Committee  shall  return  a  re- 
ceipt to  the  donor. 

3d.  That  if  endowment  by  bequest  or  otherwise  be  obtained  for  this 
purpose,  it  shall  be  held  by  the  General  Assembly's  Board  of  Trustees 
in  trust  for  this  purpose,  and  be  subject  to  the  order  of  the  Assembly. 

4th.  That  said  Committee  shall  have  a  Treasurer  of  their  own  num- 
ber, who  shall  receive  and  pay  out  all  funds  subject  to  the  order  of  the 
Committee  in  session. 

5th.  That  said  Committee  shall  hold  at  least  one  regular  meeting 
a  year,  not  long  preceding  the  meeting  of  the  Assembly,  and  shall  sub- 
mit to  the  Assembly  their  annual  report  of  means  collected  and  the 
disposition  made  of  them,  as  well  as  suggest  to  the  Assembly  any 
improvement  in  the  sustentation  work. 

6th.  That  said  Committee  may  draw  on  your  Board  of  Trustees  for 
funds  of  this  class  placed  in  their  charge  only  as  authorized  by  your 
action. 

7th.  That  no  one  shall  be  entitled  to  aid  from  the  Committee  who 
has  not  devoted  his  entire  time  since  he  entered  the  ministry  to  the 
actual  work  thereof  in  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church. 

8th.  That  the  Committee  must  have  satisfactory  evidence  that  such 
applicant  has  neither  property,  money,  nor  income  to  support  him,  nor 
children  who  are  able  and  willing  to  do  so;  and  he  must  also  be 
unable  to  support  himself  in  any  suitable  avocation  of  life. 

9th.  He  must  present  to  the  Committee  satisfactory  evidence  that 
his  manner  of  life  has  been  frugal  and  not  extravagant,  both  with 
regard  to  his  own  habits  and  those  of  his  family,  if  he  has  a  family, 
or  has  had  one.  The  evidence  to  be  taken  by  the  Committee  must 
be  from  the  Presbytery  or  Presbyteries  within  whose  bounds  he  has. 
labored.  If  his  life  has  been  spent  in  the  foreign  field,  then  the  tes- 
timony of  his  co-workers  and  the  Board  having  control  of  his  work 
shall  be  brought  of  his  worthiness  as  a  beneficiary. — 1880,  pp.   36,   37. 

The  Special  Committee,  provided  for  in  the  foregoing,  submitted 
to  the  next   General   Assembly   the  following   report: 

Tu  the  (jciicnti  Assciiihli/  of  I  he  (UiniherUnid  I'rcsbiitcriini  Cliurcli,  in  srssion 
(If  Austin,  Tcvax,  Man  19.  1881: 

A  majority  of  the  Committee  to  whom  was  referred,  by  the  last 
General  Assembly,  the  report  of  the  Committee  on  Sustentation  of 
Superannuated  Ministers  present  the  following  for  your  considera- 
tion: 

■  We  presume  all   are  agreed   that   such   provision   for   superannuated 
ministers  as  that  contemplated  in  the  report  referred  to  us  ought  to  be 


MINISTERIAL  RELIEF.  567 

made.     The  only  question  to  be  determined  is,  How  should  it  be  done? 
On  this  point  we  make  the  following  suggestions: 

1.  The  Church  cannot  properly  recognize  its  duty  and  acknowledge 
its  obligations  toward  this  class  of  ministers,  except  through  its  highest 
judicature,  and  by  means  of  a  general  Board  or  Committee,  organized 
and  operating  under  its  supervision. 

2.  To  make  the  undertaking  a  permanent  success,  it  will  be  neces- 
sary to  develop  and  maintain  a  strong  public  sentiment  in  its  favor, 
and  to  secure  general  co-operation.  It  is  not  probable  that  this  will 
ever  be  done  by  the  Presbyteries  or  Synods  acting  separately. 

3.  To  relegate  this  duty  to  the  several  Presbyteries,  would  require  of 
some  more  than  they  could  perform,  while  many  would  have  no  claims 
upon  them  at  all.  If  the  whole  Church  assumes  it  the  burden  will  be 
equalized,  and  all  alike  will  have  the  opportunity  of  testifying  their 
appreciation  of  the  service  rendered  the  whole  Church  by  this  honored 
class  of  ministers. 

4.  There  are  doubtless  many  congregations  and  individuals  through- 
out the  Church  that  would  gladly  make  contributions  for  this  purpose, 
if  the  claims  of  disabled  ministers  were  kept  prominently  before  them, 
as  it  would  be  by  the  plan  proposed  in  this  report,  and  such  con- 
tributions would  not  lessen  their  gifts  to  the  other  enterprises  of 
the  Church,  now  calling  for  aid. 

0.  While  we  approve  the  main  principles  in  the  report  referred  to  us, 
yet  in  order  more  effectively  to  carry  them  out  and  to  prevent  con- 
fusion, we  believe  it  would  be  wise  for  the  Assembly  to  establish  a 
"Board  of  Ministerial  Relief,"  to  be  duly  incorporated  under  the  laws 
of  the  State  in  which  it  may  be  located. 

We  therefore  recommend  that  this  General  Assembly  take  the  follow- 
ing steps  for  the  organization  of  such  a  Board: 

1.  That  you  appoint  a  Committee  of  your  own  number  to  determine 
the  location  of  said  Board,  and  to  nominate  its  members,  not  less  than 
five  nor  more  than  nine,  providing  also  a  plan  for  the  filling  of  vacan- 
cies and  the  election  of  their  successors. 

2.  That  in  addition  to  the  ordinary  forms  in  such  cat;es,  this  Board 
be  instructed  to  have  incorporated  in  its  charter  and  the  by-laws  and 
rules  by  which  it  may  be  governed,  such  general  provisions  as  the 
following: 

(\)  That  the  object  of  the  Board  shall  be  to  collect  and  disburse 
contributions  in  money  or  other  valuables  from  congregations  and 
individuals  for  the  benefii  of  disabled  ministers,  and  of  the  widows 
and  orphans  of  deceased  ministers. 

(2)  That  appropriations  are  to  be  made,  first,  to  such  ministers  as 
are  members  in  good  standing  in  some  Presbytery  of  the  Cumberland 
Presbyterian  Church,  having  fully  consecrated  themselves  since  enter- 
ing the  ministry  to  the  active  duties  thereof  in  said  Church,  and  wha 
are  not  able  to  support  themselves  by  any  suitable  avocation  of  life. 


568  PART  /■/.,  AGENCIES  OF  THE  ASSEMBLY. 

So  far  as  may  be  cousisteut  with  the  wants  of  disabled  ministers, 
the  Board  may  also  furnish  aid  to  the  widows  and  orphans  oi  de- 
ceased ministers,  such  ay  sustained  at  the  time  of  their  death  the  re- 
lation to  the  Church  above  described. 

(3)  All  applications  must  be  made  through  the  Presbytery  of  which 
the  minister  is,  or  at  the  time  of  his  death  was,  a  member.  The  Board 
will  exercise  its  own  discretion  in  all  cases,  and  must  have  satisfactory 
evidence  that  the  circumstances  of  the  applicant  render  it  necessary 
for  aid  to  be  furnished  from  this  source. 

3.  Every  congregation  in  the  Church  shall  be  urged  to  take  at  least 
one  collection  annually  for  this  cause,  and  forward  the  same  to  the 
Treasurer  of  the   Board. 

4.  The  Board  shall  endeavor  by  means  of  private  contributions  and 
bequests  to  secure  and  invest  a  permanent  fund,  the  income  from  which 
shall  be  used  for  the  purposes  herein  set  forth. 

W.  J.  Darby, 

W.   F.   NlSBET, 

B.    Bkaxsford. 

— 1S81,  pp.   35,  36. 

This  report  was  referred  to  another  Committee,  whose  report  thereon 
■was  adopted,  and  is  as  follows: 

We  have  duly  considered  the  report  of  the  Committee  appointed  by 
the  last  General  Assembly,  and  recommend  that  you  adopt  the  same, 
with  the  following  additional  provisions,  as  contemplated  by  the  ap- 
pointment of  this  Committee. 

1.  That  the  Board  of  Ministerial  Relief  be  located  at  Evansville,  In- 
diana. 

2.  That  the  Board  consist  of  the  following  membe's:  Rev.  W.  J. 
Darby,  Evansville,  Ind.,  Rev.  J.  E.  .Jenkins,  Princeton,  Ind.,  Rev.  J.  S-. 
Grider,  Bowling  Green,  Ky.,  B.  Bransford,  Owensboro,  Ky.,  W.  G. 
Ralston,  Evansville,  Ind.,  W.  F.  Nisbet,  Evansville,  Ind.,  S.  B.  San- 
son!, Evansville,  Ind.,  Alvah  Johnson,  Evansville,  Ind. 

3.  That  three  members  of  the  Board  shall  constitute  a  quorum  for 
the  transaction  of  business. 

4.  That  the  Board  meet  at  the  earliest  convenience,  organize,  and 
procure  a  charter. 

5.  The  Board  shall  make  annual  report  to  the  General  Assembly,  of 
its  work  and  condition. 

6.  All  vacancies  occurring  in  the  Board  shall  be  filled  by  appoint- 
ment by  the  Board,  and  confirmation  by  the  General  Assembly. 

7.  That  the  month  of  December  next  (1881)  be  fixed  as  the  time 
when  all  our  ministers,  in  charge  of  congregations,  be  required  to 
explain  and  urge  the  claims  of  this  Board  and  its  cause,  and  take 
public  or  private  collections  for  the  purpose  provided  herein,  and 
forward  to  the  Treasurer  of  the  Board. — 1881,  p.  31. 

In  its  first  annual  report,  among  other  things,  the  Board  said: 


MINISTERIAL  RIILIEF.  569 

Having  received  informatiou  of  our  appointment  bj'  tlie  last  Gen- 
eral Assembly  as  a  Board  to  superintend  the  collection  and  distribu- 
tion of  the  charities  ol'  the  Church  in  behalf  of  disabled  ministers  and 
the  widows  and  orphans  of  deceased  minisiters,  we  proceeded  as  soon 
as  practicable  to  piocure  articles  of  incorporation,  and  to  organize 
the  Board,  under  the  laws  of  the  State  of  Indiana.  In  adopting  said 
articles,  together  with  the  necessary  by-laws  and  rules  for  the  gov- 
ernment of  the  Board  in  its  work,  we  followed  strictly  the  dii'ec- 
tions  of  the  General  Assembb',  so  far  as  these  extended,  and  in  every 
detail  we  have  endeavored  to  follow  what  we  believed  to  be  the 
sentiment  of  the  Church  on  this  subject.  We  proceeded  deliberately, 
and  availed  ourselves  of  advice  from  every  source  open  to  us,  and 
we  are  pleased  to  say  that,  so  far  as  the  Board  is  informed,  the 
basis  upon  which  the  work  has  been  inaugurated  is  endorsed  by 
all  its  friends  with  entire  unanimity. 

A  copy  of  the  articles  of  incorporation,  together  with  the  by-laws 
and  rules,  is  submitted  herewith  for  your  inspection. 

The  Board  will  take  pleasure  in  making  whatever  additions  or  amend- 
ments the  Assembly  in  its  wisdom  may  suggest. 

In  due  time  for  the  Fall  meetings  we  communicated  with  all  the 
Presbyteries,  laying  before  them  the  wants  of  this  cause,  and  the 
plans  of  the  Board.  We  were  greatly  encouraged  by  the  manner  in 
which  these  communications  were  received. 

As  you  observe,  from  the  report  of  the  Treasurer,  the  contributions 
to  this  department  of  Church  beneficence  for  the  year  aggregate  $598.61. 
These  come  from  ninety  congregations  and  eleven  individual  donors, 
representing  forty-six  Presbyteries. 

While  this  is  encouraging  for  the  first  year,  may  we  not  hope  that 
co-operation  will  be  much  more  general  during  the  coming  year  than 
it  has  been  in  the  past?  Surely  there  is  in  this  form  of  beneficence 
that  which  should  touch  the  heart  of  all  who  value  the  Gospel  and 
appreciate  the  services  of  those  who  give  lives  for  its  diffusion. 

For  the  guidance  of  Presbyteries  we  prepared  blanks  to  be  used  in 
making  applications  for  relief.  Copies  cf  these  are  submitted  here- 
with. 

Appropriations  have  been  made  in  behalf  of  three  ministers  and  of 
the  widow  of  one  minister.  The  entire  amount  received  has  not  been 
appropriated,  as  the  Board  desires  the  General  Assembly  to  direct 
whether  or  not  a  certain  portion  of  the  receipts  each  year  should  be 
devoted  to  the  establishment  of  a  permanent  fund,  the  interest  from 
which  shall  be  used  for  the  purpose  contemplated  in  the  formation  of 
the  Board. 

We  suggest  that  you  urge  all  the  Presbyteries  which  are  assisting  dis- 
abled ministers,  or  the  families  of  deceased  ministers,  to  do  the  same 
through  the  agency  of  this  Board,  so  that  the  reports  of  the  Board 
may  represent  the  entire  contributions  of  the  Church  for  this  cause. 


570  PART  VI.,  AGENCIES  OE  THE  ASSEMniY. 

The  Board  will  no  doubt  be  able  to  make  a  satisfactory  arrangement 
with  every  Presbytery  that  is  disposed  to  accept  this  suggestion.^1882, 
p.  84. 

AKTICLES   of   I.NCORl^ORATIO.N    OF  THE   "BoAED  OF  MiMSTERlAl,   RELIEF  OF 
THE    CUMHEIILAAU    PuESI! YTERIAN    CllUKCH.  " 

W/tereor.s,  At  a  meeting  of  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Cumberland 
Presbyterian  Church,  held  in  the  city  of  Austin,  in  the  State  of  Texas, 
on  the  25th  day  of  May,  1881,  it  elected  a  Board  of  Ministerial  Relief, 
and  located  said  Board  at  the  city  of  Evansvilie,  County  of  Van- 
derburgh, State  of  Indiana,  and  directed  said  Board  to  adopt  such 
measureij  as  might  be  necessary  to  obtain  articles  of  incorporation  un- 
der the  laws  of  the  State  of  Indiana;  and, 

U7/tTCff.s,  The  said  General  Assembly  directed  said  Board  to  be  com- 
posed of  the  following  persons,  to  wit:  William  J.  Darby,  William  G. 
Ralston,  Watkins  F.  Nisbet,  Saunders  B.  Sansom,  Alvah  Johnson,  of 
said  city  of  Evansvilie;  John  E.  Jenkins,  of  the  town  of  Princeton, 
State  of  Indiana:  Jesse  S.  Grider,  of  the  town  of  Bowling  Green,  State 
of  Kentucky:  and  Benjamin  Bransford,  of  Owensboro,  State  of  Ken- 
tucky. 

Vo/p,  therefore.  In  pursuance  of  said  directions  of  said  General  As- 
sembly, the  subscribers,  composing  said  Board,  adopt  the  following 
as  their  articles  of  incorporation,  to  wit: 

First.  The  name  of  the  corporation  shall  be  "Board  of  Ministerial 
Relief  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church." 

Second.  The  purpose  for  which  this  corporation  is  formed  is  to  re- 
ceive, hold,  convey,  and  disburse  such  real  and  personal  property  as 
may  be  given  by  will  or  otherwise  to  it.  or  acquired  by  it  in  any 
legitimate  way,  for  the  relief  and  support  of  disabled  ministers  and 
missionaries,  and  of  the  needy  widows  and  orphans  of  deceased  min- 
isters and  missionaries,  or  of  such  other  persons  as  may  be  dependent 
upon  said  ministers  and  missionaries. 

Third.  The  general  offices  and  business  of  this  corporation  shall  be 
in  the  city  of  Evansvilie,  County  of  Vanderburgh,  State  of  Indiana. 

Fourth.  The  term  of  its  existence  shall  be  fifty  years. 

Fifth.  Said  Board  shall  be  composed  of  not  more  than  nine  nor 
less  than  five  members  at  one  time,  and  any  vacancy  occurring  therein 
shall  be  filled  by  it;  but  such  appointment  by  said  Board  to  fill  va- 
cancies therein,  shall  be  subject  to  the  ratification  and  approval  of 
the  General  Assembly  aforesaid. 

Sixth.  Three  members  of  said  board  shall  constitute  a  quorum  for 
the  transaction  of  any  business. 

Seventh.  All  the  business  of  said  corporation  shall  be  done  under 
the  direction  of,  and  subject  to  the  approval  of  said  General  Assembly, 
and  in  accordance  with  the  laws  of  the  State  of  Indiana  and  the  United 
States. 


MINISTERIAL  RELIEF.  571 

Eighth.  Appropriations  from  the  funds  of  the  corporation  shall  be 
made  alone,  first,  to  such  uiinisters  as  are  members  iu  good  standing 
•of  some  Presbytery  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,  they  hav- 
ing fully  consecrated  themselves,  since  entering  said  ministry,  to  the 
active  duties  thereof  in  said  Church,  and  who  are  not  able  to  support 
themselves  by  any  suitable  vocation  of  life,  and  to  such  missionaries 
as  have  been  appointed  to  work  in  home  or  foreign  fields  by  the  recog- 
nized authorities  of  said  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,  and  who 
have  faithfully  discharged  the  duties  assigned  them  during  the  time 
•of  their  appointment,  and  who  are  not  able  to  support  themselves  by 
any  suitable  vocation  in  life;  and,  second,  that  so  far  as  may  be  con- 
■sistent  with  the  wants  of  disabled  ministers  and  missionaries,  the 
Board  may  also  furnish  aid  to  the  widows  and  orphans  of  ministers 
and  missionaries  aforesaid,  and  to  such  other  person  or  persons  as 
may  be  or  may  have  been  dependent  upon  said  ministers  and  mission- 
aries. 

Ninth.  Said  Board  sliall  have  full  pov\-er  to  make  all  by-laws,  rules, 
and  regulations  for  governing  said  corporation,  and  at  its  pleasure  to 
repeal  the  same,  subject,  however,  to  the  supervision,  direction,  and 
.approval  of  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian 
Church  aforesaid,  it  being  distinctly  understood  that  in  all  its  work- 
ings said  Board  shall  be  controlled  by  said  General  Assembly. 

Tenth.  The  seal  of  said  corporation  shall  be  as  follows:  "Board  of 
Ministerial  Relief,  C.  P.  Church,  U.  S.  A.— Seal." 

In   testimony  whereof,   we,  the  undersigned,   corporators,   hereto   set 

our  hands  and  seals,  this ■  day  of  October.  1S81. 

W.  G.  Rai.stox,         [seal.] 

Al.VAII     JOHNSOX,  [seal.] 

J.  S.  GiUDEr:,  [seal.] 

W.  J.  Darby,  [seal.] 

W.  F.  NisnET,  [seal.] 
John    E.    .Jenkins,    [seal.] 

S.   B.   Sansom,  [seal,] 

B.  Bransford,  [seal.] 

—1882,  pp.  88,  89. 

SUBSEQUENT    ACTION. 

(Taken  under  advice  of  attorney,  who  tiuestioned  the  validity  of  the 
above  incorporation.) 

^\hcrem,  The  General  Assembly  of  the  State  of  Indiana,  at  its  ses- 
sion in  1891,  passed  an  act  entitled,  An  Act  to  Provide  for  the  In- 
corporation of  Boards  for  the  Relief  of  Disabled  Ministers  of  the  Gos- 
pel, Missionaries,  or  their  dependents,  orphans,  or  other  persons,  and 
declaring  an  emergency;  and, 

TT/ui/m.v,  In  Section  .5  of  said  act  it  is  provided:  Anv  Boards  of  Re- 
lief of  the  kind  herein  provided  for,  which  have  heretofore   assumed 


572  PART  IT„  AGENCIES  OF  THE  ASSEMBLY. 

to  act  as  a  corporation  under  any  laws  of  this  State,  are  hereby  de- 
clared to  be  legally  incorporated,  and  each  and  every  one  of  the  acta 
of  such  Boards  are  hereby  declared  legal  and  effectual,  upon  the  filing 
by  any  such  Board  with  the  Secretary  of  State  a  resolution  stating 
the  number  of  Trustees  to  govern  said  Board,  and  the  intention  of 
said  Board  to  be  governed  by  and  exercise  the  privileges  of  this  act; 
and, 

ir/ferew.s.  Heretofore,  to  wit,  on  the  23d  day  of  November,  lS8i,  thi& 
Board  was  organized,  as  it  was  then  supposed,  under  existing  statutes 
of  this  State,  under  and  by  the  name  of  the  Board  of  Ministerial  Relief 
of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,  and  desiring  to  take  advantage 
and  secure  the  benefits  of  the  said  act,  the  title  to  which  is  above  set 
forth;  now,  therefore^  be  it 

A'r-so/ced,  That  the  number  of  Trustees  to  govern  said  Board  shall  be 
nine.     And  it  is   further 

Jie.solved,  That  it  is  the  intention  of  said  Board  to  be  governed  by 
and  exercise  the  privileges  of  said  act. 

The  President  and  Secretary  of  the  Board  are  directed  to  properly 
sign,  certify,  and  file  with  the  Secretary  of  State,  the  foregoing  pre- 
amble and  resolution.  W.  G.  Rai.stox,  I'ic-sidt  iit  of  tlw  Board. 

Abram  G.  Bek(;ex,  Recordiii;)  Sivntunj. 
Filed  April  4,  1S91. 

Ci.ALUK  Matthews,  Sccrciarij  of  Stale 

TiiOKXTOx  Home.  Depai;  pmext. 

Through  the  columns  of  the  Cuiiihcrlainl  I'lrsbijtcriaii,  St.  Louis  01)- 
Kcrier,  Our  Church  Hcliicr,  and  the  city  papers  of  Evansville,  and  per- 
haps by  general  report,  you  have  seen  and  heard  of  the  splendid 
gift  of  Mrs.  E.  Thornton,  of  Petersburg,  Ind.,  to  the  Board  of  Minis- 
terial Relief,  to  be  held  as  a  Home  for  disabled  ministers,  missionaries, 
and  the  widows  and  orphans  of  deceased  ministers. 

The  Home  consists  of  ten  acres  of  ground  near  the  city  of  Evans- 
ville, Ind.,  on  which  there  stands  a  commodious  and  beautiful  three- 
story  frame  house — plenty  large  for  immediate  purposes — comfortably 
and  neatly  furnished  throughout,  ready  for  occupants.  One  has  only 
to  see  it  to  be  proud  of  it  and  delighted.  It  is  the  earnest  desire 
of  the  Board  that  the  General  Assembly,  in  a  body,  visit  the  Home  and 
spend  at  least  a  part  of  a  day  in  viewing  it,  for  to  see  it  is  to  be 
convinced  more  thoroughly  than  if  we  should  tell  you  about  it  ten 
years. 

The  property  was  bought  in  July  1890,  for  the  sum  of  six  thousand 
five  hundred  dollars,  and  the  Board  of  Ministerial  Relief,  in  behalf  of 
the  Cumberland  Presbj'terian  Church,  assumed  control. 

On  November  27,  1890,  this  Home  was  formally  opened  for  the  pur- 
pose for  which  it  was  established,  when  the  deed  and  the  keys  were 
given  to  the  President,  Dr.  W.  G.  Ralston,  by  Hon.  .1.  E.  Williamson, 


MIXISTERIAL  RELIEF.  573 

for  Mrs.  Thornton,  in  a  very  excellent  address.  The  services  were  ap- 
propriate and  enjoyable. 

On  the  day  of  the  dedication  the  Home  stood  furnished  from  cellar 
to  garret  with  an  outlay  of  $2U0  to  the  Board.  Every  one  was  pleased 
with  the  neatness  and  comfort,  and  congratulated  the  Committee  who 
had  it  in  charge  on  their  success. — 1891,  p.  100. 

Tlie  General  Assembly  adopted  the  following:  We,  having  had  the 
privilege  and  pleasure  of  visiting  the  Thornton  Home  for  disabled 
ministers  of  the  Gospel,  missionaries,  or  their  dependents,  orphans,  or 
other  persons,  on  last  Saturday  [the  Assembly  went  down  from  Owens- 
boro,  Ky.,  in  a  body  to  visit  the  Home],  deem  it  necessary  to  at- 
tempt a  description  of  this  beautiful  place  so  generously  given  by  Mrs. 
Thornton,  for  which  not  only  those  who  enjoy  its  comforts,  but  also 
the  whole  Church  owe  her  a  debt  of  lasting  gratitude.  We  commend 
this  Home  to  all  those  for  whom  it  is  intended  as  a  most  pleasant 
and   comfortable  abode. — 1S91,  p.   31. 

The  General  Assembly  directed  "the  Board,  at  its  discretion,  to  trans- 
fer to  the  'permanent  fund'  ten  per  cent  or  more  (as  circumstances  will 
allow)  from  their  current  receipts." — 1886,  p.  19. 

Th3  General  Assembly  in  1893  decreed  'that  the  order  of  a  previous 
Assembly,  setting  apart  ten  per  cent  of  the  gross  annual  receipts  of 
the  Board  as  a  permanent  fund,  be  revoked.  This  action  to  take  effect 
at  once,  applying  to  the  year  just  closed." — 1893,  p.  20. 

CoKi;Esi'0.\Di.\(i  Seckktahies  of  the  Board. 

For  several  years  the  work  of  the  Board  did  not  justify  the  em- 
ployment of  a  Corresponding  Secretary.  In  1889  the  Board  reported 
the  following: 

At  the  beginning  of  the  year  Rev.  J.  H.  Miller  was  employed  as 
Corresponding  Secretary,  to  have  general  supervision  of  the  work,  un- 
der the  direction  of  the  Board — his  duties  being  to  conduct  all  cor- 
respondence, devise  and  carry  out  such  measures  as  may  be  deemed 
by  him  and  the  Board  necessary,  to  awaken  the  interest  and  secure 
the  co-operation  of  the  Cliurch  in  the  extension  of  this  work,  receive 
and  disburse  all  funds,  paying  over  the  same,  from  time  to  time,  to 
the  Treasuier  or  transmitting  to  the  beneficiaries,  as  the  occasion  may 
demand,  and  perform  all  other  duties,  necessary  to  its  successful 
prosecution,  not  intrusted  to  other  officers. — 1889,  p.  128. 

In  1892  the  following  changes  were  reported: 

In  August  of  last  year  Rev.  .J.  H.  Miller  resigned  the  position  as 
Corresponding  Secretary,  which  he  had  filled  with  such  signal  ability 
and  with  marked  acceptance  to  the  Board  and  to  the  whole  Church 
for  three  years.  We  regretted  very  much  the  loss  of  Brother  Miller's 
services  in  this  capacity,  but  were  glad  that  this  loss  consisted  simply 
in  the  transfer  of  his  eminent  abilities  to  a  similar  office  in  another 
Board   of   the   Church. 


574  PART  VI.,  AGENCIES  OE  THE  ASSEMBLY. 

The  duties  of  the  Corresponding  Secretary  of  the  Board  were  per- 
formed for  a  time  by  Rev.  A.  G.  Bergen,  one  of  its  members.  About 
the  first  of  October  Rev.  W.  J.  Darby  was  chosen  as  Corresponding 
Secretary,  he  having  retired,  on  account  of  long  illness,  from  the  po- 
sition of  General  Manager  of  the  Publishing  Work  of  the  Church.  He 
took  the  position  at  the  same  salary  that  was  paid  to  Brother  Miller, 
and  has  been  able,  with  steadily  increasing  strength,  to  perform 
the  duties  of  the  office  up  to  this  date.— 1892,  pp.  106,  107. 

Dr.  Darby  is  still   (1S99)   the  Corresponding  Secretary  of  the  Board. 

VIII.     PERMANENT    COMMITTEE    ON    SUNDAY    SCHOOLS. 

1.  The  Sunday  school   work  directed  by  a  committee. 

The  General  Assembly  determined  to  '"appoint  a  committee  of  five, 
of  which  the  General  Superintendent  should  be  the  Chairman,  whose 
duty  it  should  be  to  have  the  oversight  of  our  Sabbath  school  work, 
and  to  provide  for  the  Salary  of  the  Superintendent  by  collections  from 
the  Sabbath  schools  or  otherwise,  as  it  might  think  best." — 1893,  p. 
32. 

Accordingly  the  Committee  was  appointed  as  follows:  Revs.  .1.  H. 
Warren,  J.  S.  Grider,  and  E.  T.  Bowers,  and  Ruling  Elders  Nathan 
Green  and  J.  H.  Fussell.— 1SS3,   p.   43. 

It  appears  that  this  Committee  accomi^lished  but  little.  The  next 
General  Assembly  said:  W"e  regret  to  learn  that  the  plan  set  on  foot 
at  the  last  General  Assembly  has  not  resulted  in  greater  good.  We 
believe  the  cause  of  this  grows  out  of  the  fact  that  the  plan  pro- 
vided for  a  Committee  taken  from  sections  so  far  apart  as  not  to  be 
able  to  operate  together  successfully. — 1884,  p.  30. 

2.  The  Sunday  school  work  directed  by  the  Board  of 

Publication. 

The  following  recommendation  was  adopted:  We  recommend  that 
the  General  Superintendent  of  Sabbath  School  Work  and  the  Board 
of  Publication  be  instructed  to  confer  together,  and  to  devise  and  to 
carry  into  effect  such  plans  as  to  them  may  be  deemed  most  advisable 
to  promote  the  general  Sabbath  school  work  of  the  Church,  said  Board 
being  hereby  substituted  for  the  Committee  on  Sabbath  School  Work 
appointed  at  the  last  meeting  of  the  General  Assembly,  with  power 
to  carry  out  the  work  prescribed  for  that  Committee.—  1884,  p.  30. 

The  General  Assembly  decreed  that  the  General  Superintendent  "be 
placed  under  the  direction  of  the  Board  of  Publication,  which  Board 
should  have  power  to  appoint  the  person  filling  this  office,  subject 
to  the  approval  of  the  General  Assembly." — 1888,  p.  31. 


SUNDA  Y  SCHOOLS.  575 

3.  A  Standing  **  Committee  on  Publication  and  Sabbath 
School  Workr 

The  General  Assembly  adopted  the  following:  Inasmuch  as  the  work 
of  the  Committee  on  Sabbath  Schools  is  so  closely  related  to  the  work 
of  the  Committee  on  Publication,  we  reccmmend  that  hereafter,  the 
General  Assembly  appoint  for  these  interests  but  one  Committee, 
which  shall  be  called  the  "Committee  on  Publication  and  Sabbath 
School  Work,"  and  that  this  connection  be  maintained  in  all  the 
synodical  and  presbyterial  meetings. — 18S9,  p.  47. 

4.  The  Board  asks  to  be  relieved  of  this  work. 

In  view  of  the.  large  demands  which  the  publishing  work  makes 
upon  the  time  and  energy  of  this  Board,  they  respectfully  submit  to 
your  Reverend  Body  the  propriety  of  establishing  a  permanent  com- 
mittee to  take  charge  of  the  Sunday  school  work,  including  the  ap- 
pointment of  a  General  Superintendent. — 1892,  p.  100. 

The  General  Assembly  concurred  in  the  following  recommendation 
bearing  upon  this  request:  We  recommend  that  you  do  not  approve 
the  recommendation  of  the  Board  that  this  work'  be  taken  otit  of  their 
hands  and  given  to  a  permanent  committee  to  have  charge  of  the  gen- 
eral Sunday  school  work,  inchiding  the  appointment  of  a  General  Su- 
perintendent.—1892,  p.  30. 

5.  An  Advisory  Committee  appointed. 

The  following  resolutions  were  adopted: 

It'rxolrcd,  1.  That  an  Advisory  Committee  on  Sunday  Schools  be  cre- 
ated, whose  duties  shall  be  to  advi.se  with  the  General  Superintendent 
of  Sunday  Schools,  the  editor  of  the  Sunday  school  literature,  and  the 
Board  of  Publication  in  the  interests  of  our  Sunday  .school  work  in  all 
of  its  departments.  2.  That  J.  H.  Zarecor  and  T.  M.  Hurst,  of  Nash- 
ville, Tenn.,  and  Prof.  J.  I.  D.  tlinds,  of  Lebanon,  Tenn.,  be  the  local 
Committee,  and  that  T.  H.  Perrin,  of  Alton,  111.,  and  .1.  W.  Axtell,  of 
East  End,  Pittsburg,  Pa.,  be  the  corresponding  members  of  said  Com- 
mittee.—1892,  p.  45. 

The  Committee  on  Publication  and  Sunday  School  Work  reported  as 
follows,  and  the  report  was  adopted: 

In  view  of  the  great  imporl;..nce  of  the  Sunday  scliool  work,  we  recom- 
mend: 

1.  That  the  Advisory  Committee,  appointed  by  the  last  General  As- 
sembly be  increased  by  adding  Rev.  W.  T.  Rodgers,  of  Nashville,  and 
Rev.  J.  V.  Stephens,  of  Bowling  Green,  Kj-.;  that  on  account  of  dis- 
tance and  expense.  J.  C.   McClurkin,   of  Evansville,   be   substituted  for 


576  PART  VI.,  AGENCIES  OE  THE  ASSEAJBLY. 

J.  W.  Axtell,  of  Pennsylvania,  and  that  H.  H.  Buqiio  be  made  a  mem- 
ber instead  of  J.  H.  Zarecor,  who  is  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Pub- 
lication, thus  making  the  Committee  consist  of  J.  I.  D.  Hinds,  T.  M. 
Hurst,  W.  T.  Rodgers,  T.  H.  Perrin,  J.  C.  McClurkin,  J.  V.  Stephens, 
and  H.  H.  Buquo. 

2.  That  this  Committee  be  instructed  to  co-operate  with  the  Board 
of  Publication  and  the  General  Superintendent  in  an  active  and  vigor- 
ous manner  for  the  advancement  of  this  work. — 1893,  p.  39. 

In  its  report  to  the  General  Assembly,  the  Advisory  Committee 
made  the  following  suggestions: 

1.  That  the  Committee  appoint  and  employ  the  Superintendent  of 
Sunday  Schools. 

2.  That  the  Committee  have  full  charge  and  direction  of  the  work, 
and  that  the  Superintendent  be  made  responsible  to  the  Committee, 
and  be  required  to  report  to  them  from  time  to  time. 

3.  That  the  raising  and  distribution  of  the  Children's  Day  Fund 
be  entirely  under  the  control  of  the  Committee. 

4.  That  the  Committee  meet  at  least  once  a  year  with  the  Board  of 
Publication. 

5.  That  the  Committee  and  the  Superintendent  be  instructed  to  do 
all  they  can  to  enlarge  the  circulation  of  our  Sunday  school  literatui'e. 
—1894,  p.  109. 

6.  The  Permanent  Committee  on  Sunday  Schools  estab- 
lished. 

The  General  Assembly  appointed  "the  following  Permanent  Commit- 
tee on  Sunday  Schools:  W.  T.  Ferguson,  .T.  I.  D.  Hinds,  John  D.  Wilson, 
H.  H.  Buquo,  \V.  J.  Darby,  and  J.  V.  Stephens;  and  made  J.  H.  Miller, 
T.  A.  Cowan,  J.  R.  Morris,  D.  C.  DeWitt,  and  T.  H.  Perrin  corresponding 
members  of  the  same." — 1894,  p.  31. 

The  Permanent  Committee  submitted  its  first  annual  report  to  the 
General  Assembly,  announcing  its  organization  and  plans  of  work: 

According  to  the  order  of  the  General  Assembly,  last  year  at  Eugene, 
Oregon,  the  Permanent  Committee  on  Sunday  School  Work  met  at 
the  earliest  date  possible  for  organization.  This  meeting  was  held 
on  .June  the  27th  in  the  Publishing  House.  The  Committee  on  that 
occasion  adopted  the  following 

REt:ULATIOXS. 

1.  The  officers  of  the  Permanent  Committee  on  Sunday  School  Work 
shall  be  (1)  a  Chairman,  (2)  a  Vice  Chairman,  (3)  a  Secretary,  (4)  a 
Treasurer,  and  (5)  an  Executive  Committee,  consisting  of  three  merii- 
bers.  Three  members  of  the  Permanent  Committee  shall  constitute 
a  quorum  for  the  transaction,  of  business. 


SUND.iV  SCHOOLS.  bll 

2.  The  annual  meeting  of  the  Permanent  Committee  shall  be  held 
in  Nashville,  Tenn.,  beginning  at  9  a.m.  on  the  first  Tuesday  in  May 
of  each  year,  at  which  time  the  Chairman,  Secretary,  Treasurer,  and 
General   Superintendent   shall   submit   their  annual   reports. 

3.  The  Executive  Committee  shall  meet  quarterly  at  such  time  and 
place  as  they  may  deLermine.  At  this  meeting  the  General  Superin- 
tendent shall  submit  (.1)  a  financial  statement  of  all  expenses;  personal, 
in  the  discharge  of  his  duties;  official,  including  the  expenses  and 
salaries  that  may  be  paid  to  synodical  and  presbyterial  Sunday  school 
workers  laboring  under  his  direction.  (2)  An  official  statement  of  work 
proposed,  plans  to  be  adopted,  and  suggestions  as  to  methods  to  be 
considered  by  the  Executive  Committee. 

4.  The  Children's  Day  Fund  shall  be  held  in  trust  by  the  Treasurer, 
and  disbursed  upon  the  written  order  of  the  Secretary  acting  under 
the  direction  of  the  Executive  Committee. 

5.  In  Us  annual  report  the  Permanent  Committee  shall  include  a 
supplemental  statement  of  all  money  raised  and  expended  by  various 
Synods  and  Presbyteries  for  the  purpose  of  furthering  the  Sunday- 
school  work  of  the  Church. 

G.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  General  Superintendent  to  co-operate 
with  all  Sunday  school  workers,  congregational,  presbyterial,  and 
synodical,  and  in  every  way  possible  press  forward  the  Sunday  school 
interests  of  the  Church.  (1)  He  shall  urge  the  various  Synods  to  or- 
ganize the  work  within  their  bounds  by  appointing  a  Committee  on, 
and  electing  a  Superintendent  of,  Sunday  School  Work,  and  he  shall 
do  all  in  his  power  to  assist  the  said  Committee  and  Superintendent 
in  the  development  of  the  Sunday  school  interests  in  their  bounds. 
(2)  He  shall  urge  upon  every  Presbytery  the  importance  of  appointing 
a  suitable  person  as  I-resbyterial  Superintendent  of  Sunday  school 
Work  who  shall  co-operate  with  the  General  and  Synodical  Superin- 
tendents. (3)  He  shall  be  intrusted  with  the  preparation  of  the  Annual 
Children's  Day  Exercises,  and  the  plans  for  the  proper  observance  of 
this  day,  submitting  the  same  to  the  Executive  Committee  for  their 
approval.  (4)  He  shall  indorse  the  accounts  of  the  synodical  and  pres- 
byterial workers  before  they  are  submitted  to  the  Executive  Committee 
for  final  approval. 

7.  The  Permanent  Committee  shall  assist  in  the  employment  of  the 
Synodical  Superintendents,  who  may  be  compensated  for  their  work  to 
such  an  extent  as  the  income  from  Children's  Day  will  allow,  the  funds 
to  be  expended  in  such  proportion  as  the  size  of  the  Synod  and  the 
amount  of  the  work  done  by  the  Synodical  Superintendents  shall  de- 
termine. These  Superintendents  shall  be  required  to  make  monthly 
reports  to  the  General  Superintendent. 

8.  The  Permanent  Committee  shall  supply  the  presbyterial  and 
synodical  workers  the  necessary  stationery  and  defray  the  expenses  of 
the  Presbyterial   Superintendents   in   their  work. 


578  PART  /  /.,  AGENCIES  OF  THE  ASSEMBLY. 

Officeks. 

Officers  were  elected  as  follows:  Chairman,  W.  T.  Ferguson,  D.D.; 
Vice  Chairman,  J.  I.  D.  Hinds,  Ph.D.;  Secretary,  J.  V.  Stephens;  Treas- 
urer, the  Publishing  House.  The  Executive  Committee  was  appointed 
as  follows:     H.  H.  Buquo,  Chairman;   J.  D.  Wilson  and  J.  V.  Stephens. 

Changes  in  ME.Mi'.EKsiiir. 

On  account  of  pressure  of  duties  in  other  directions,  W.  J.  Darby, 
D.D.,  resigned  in  September,  and  Rev.  Taylor  Bernard,  of  St.  Louis, 
was  elected  to  fill  the  vacancy.  Rev.  J.  V.  Stephens  offered  his  resig- 
nation, after  moving  to  Lebanon,  Tenn.,  in  order  that  the  member- 
ship of  the  Committee  might  be  better  distributed  over  the  Church. 
His  resignation  was  accepted,  to  take  effect  June  1st.  Rev.  H.  M. 
Steidley,  of  Lincoln,  111.,  was  selected  to  fill  this  vacancy.  We  ask 
that  you  approve  these  changes. — 1895,  pp.  137,  1^8. 

7.  A  Standing  Committee  on  Sunday  Schools, 

It  was  ordered  that  hereafter,  instead  of  the  Assembly's  having  a 
single  Committee  on  Publication  and  Sunday  Schools,  there  shall  be 
the  two  Committees,  one  on  Publication  and  cne  on  Sunday  Schools. — 
1898,  p.  14. 

8.  Methods  of  prosecuting  the  work  in  the  field. 

(,1)  Cjiilukea's  Day  Inaugukateu 

In  response  to  a  memorial  referred  to  us  from  the  New  Lebanon 
Presbytery,  and  to  several  private  communications  addressed  to  us, 
we  recommend  that  the  first  Sabbath  in  June  of  each  year  be  set  apart 
as  Children's  Day.  On  that  day  let  the  conversion  and  Christian  train- 
ing of  the  children  of  the  Church  be  presented  in  sermons  and  ad- 
dresses, and  a  collection  be  taken  for  the  Board  of  Publication,  to  be 
used  in  the  interest  of  Sabbath  school  work  specifically,  by  emT)loying 
a  General  Superintendent  of  such  work,  and  for  such  other  Sabbath, 
school  interests  as  the  Board  may  be  able  to  aid. — ISSG,  p.  40. 

Special  attention  is  called  to  Children's  Day — the  first  Sunday  in  June. 
This  has  become  one  of  the  recognized  powers  of  the  Church  as  an 
educational  agency,  and  we  would  reiterate  that  you  urge  upon  all 
churches  to  observe  this  day  by  the  use  of  suitable  programmes,  and 
that  liberal  contributions  be  taken  in  all  churches,  by  young  and  old, 
for  the  extension  of  Sunday  school  and  Church  work.- — 1890,  p.  22. 

The  General  Assembly  ordered  "that  all  possible  effort  be  made 
to  increase  the  Children's  Day  Fund,  and  that  this  Fund  be  sacredly 
used  for  the  promotion  of  the  Sunday  school  cause,  in  such  manner 
as  the  Board  and  Committee  may  deem  best."— 1893,  p.  39. 


SUNDAY  SCHOOLS.  579 

(2)  Peesbytekiai,  Su.nday  Schcjoj.  Secretaries. 

The  General  Superintendent,  Rev.  J.  H.  Warren,  in  1888  reported 
the  following:  We  have  been  trying  to  find  one  man  in  each  Pres- 
bytery to  act  as  Presbyterial  Sunday  School  Secretary  for  his  Pres- 
bytery. Up  to  the  time  of  writing  this  report  we  have  one  hundred 
Secretaries.  All  plans  and  suggestions  for  work  formulated  are  sub- 
mitted to  these  Secretaries  for  their  adoption  or  modification  to  suit 
the  needs  of  their  own  particular  fields. 

We  have  tried  to  get  Presbyteries  to  indorse  this  plan,  approve  these 
appointments,  and  relegate  all  Sunday  school  matters  to  them  as  in- 
dividuals or  as  members  of  committees  on  Sunday  schools.  So  far  as 
I  know,  no  Presbytery  has  refused  to  comply  with  this  request  when 
the  matter  has  been  brought  to  its  consideration.  These  Secretaries 
are  to  keep  up  a  regular  correspondence  with  all  the  churches  and 
echools  in  their  respective  Presbyteries;  visit  as  many  as  possible,  and 
call  on  brethren  in  different  parts  of  Presbytery  to  do  the  same;  to 
.hold  Sunday  school  institutes,  conduct  normal  classes,  or  arrange  to 
have  these  things  done;  secure  the  organization  of  denominational 
schools  in  all  our  churches,  and  have  all  to  take  our  own  literature 
as  far  as  possible.  These  Secretaries  have  been  earnestly  engaged  in 
work  on  the  lines  above  indicated. — 1888,  pp.  137,  138. 

The  Board  of  Publication  reports  that  Dr.  M.  B.  DeWitt,  "as  General 
Superintendent  of  our  Sunday  schools,  has  been  corresponding  with  the 
Presbyterial  Sunday  School  Secretaries,  and  procuring  suitable  per- 
sons to  act  as  such  Secretaries,  where  none  had  been  appointed,  and 
that  he  has  so  far  succeeded  that  there  are  now  very  few  Presbyteries 
which  have  no  Sunday  School  Secretaries  at  work,  and  he  has  procured 
and  is  procuring  necessary  statistics  to  aid  him  in  advancing  the 
Sunday  school  interests  of  the  whole  Church.  What  Dr.  DeWitt  has 
done  since  his  appointment  is  in  furtherance  of  the  excellent  work 
inaugurated  by  Rev.  J.  H.  Warren  as  General  Superintendent." — 1889, 
p.  120. 

(3)    Co-OPERATING     WITH     SvXOIlS     IX     THE     EXri'LOYMENT     0¥     SyXODIC'AL 
SUPERI  NTEXnENTS. 

Much  progress  has  been  made  in  this  department  during  the  past 
year.  In  addition  to  the  work  done  by  Dr.  DeWitt,  General  Superin- 
tendent of  Sunday  Schools,  we  have  co-operated  with  several  State  con- 
ventions and  Synods  in  the  employment  of  men  who  give  all  or  a 
portion  of  their  time  to  the  advancement  of  the  Sunday  school  cause. 
The  Children's  Day  Fund  is  being  used  in  part  for  this  purpose,  which 
we  regard  as  strictly  missionaiy.  This  fund  should  be  greatly  enlarged, 
and  this  method  of  extending  the  Sunday  school  work  should  be  car- 
ried forward  on  a  much  more  extended  ■scale.     We  believe  it  will  pro- 


680  PART  VI.,  AGENCIES  OF  IHE  ASSEMBLV. 

duce  the  largest  possible  retiu-ns  for  the  investment  made. — 1890,  p. 
82. 

The  General  Assembly  directed  tha^t  a  portion  of  the  funds  raised 
be  used  in  the  employment  of  such  synodical  agents  as  may  be  needed. 
—1890,  p.  22. 

The  Board  said:  We  have  continued  the  policy  of  co-operating  with 
State  conventions  and  Synods  in  the  employment  of  State  superin- 
tendents or  Sabbath  school  missionaries,  who  give  all  or  a  portion  of 
their  time  to  the  work  of  advancing  the  Sabbath  school  cause,  a  part 
of  the  salary  of  these  State  missionaries  being  paid  out  of  the  Chil- 
dren's Day  Fund.— 1891,  p.  93. 

[Note. — For  the  plan  of  the  Permanent  Committee  in  assisting  the 
synodical  work,  see  Article  6,  "The  Permanent  Committee  on  Sunday 
Schools  established."] 

Bach  Synod,  that  has  not  already  done  so,  was  urged  to  appoint,  as 
soon  as  practicable,  a  Synodical  Superintendent  of  Sunday  Schools, 
and  that  he  be  instructed  to  organize  thoroughly  his  Synod  for  sys- 
tematic Sunday  school  work,  aj  fast  as  possible. — 1896,  p.  3G. 

The  Permanent  Committee  reported  the  following:  Illinois,  Iowa, 
Kentucky,  and  Tennessee  Synods  are  maintaining  their  field  men,  as 
at  the  last  report,  except  that  Rev.  J.  W.  Henderson,  of  Iowa,  has 
become  a  paslor  and  Rev.  R.  A.  Ferguson  has  succeeded  him  in  the 
field.  On  account  of  ill  health.  Rev.  J.  E.  McShan  has  been  compelled 
to  retire  from  the  good  work  he  v/as  doing  in  Mississippi,  but  as- 
sures us  that  some  one  else  will  soon  take  up  the  work.  Ala- 
bama Synod  has  put  Rev.  H.  L.  Walker,  Arkansas,  Rev.  S.  H.  Mc- 
Elvain,  Texas,  Rev.  W.  B.  Allen,  Oregon,  and  Rev.  L.  D.  Beck  in  their 
respective  fields  since  last  report;  and  these  brethren  are  looking 
after  the  Sunday  school  interests  of  these  Synods.  Ohio  Synod  has 
secured  a  helper  in  this  department  of  Church  Extension  in  the  per- 
son of  Rev.  G.  H.  Silvius,  pastor  at  Lebanon,  who  will  devote  a  part 
of  his  time  to  the  Sunday  school  cause  in  the  Synod. — 1897,  p.  125. 

The  following  is  the  Permanent  Committee's  report:  Indiana  has 
employed  Rev.  J.  W.  Elder  to  devote  part  of  his  time  to  the  Sunday 
school  cause  of  the  Synod.  Missouri  has  put  Rev.  J.  H.  Tharp  in  the 
field,  and  he  is  giving  much  of  his  time  to  Sunday  school  matters,  and 
will  render  our  Committee  valuable  service.  Rev.  .J.  R.  Walker  has 
been  employed  to  look  after  our  Sunday  school  work  In  Pacific  Synod. 
In  Pennsylvania  the  Synod's  Committee  and  Rev.  J.  W.  McKay  are 
caring  for  the  cause.  Negotiations  are  pending  with  the  Committee 
of  Kansas  Synod,  whereby  we  hope  to  arrange  for  an  efficient  man  to 
devote  part  of  his  time  to  Sunday  school  mission  work. — 1858,  p.  155. 

9.  General  Superintendents. 

The  General  Assembly  determined  to  elect  a  General  Superintendent. 
—1883,  p.  32. 


SUNDA  } '  SCnOOLS.  58L 

(Ij   Rka'.     M.     B.     DeWitt,     D.D.,     ej^ectku     tcj      iJiE     ofekk     of 

S  L'PERINTE.XDEA'T. 

In  pursuauce  of  the  order  in  the  report  of  the  Committee  on  Sabbath. 
Schools,  the  General  Assembly  proceeded  to  ele<.t  a  General  Sabbath 
School  Superintendent,  whereupon  Rev.  M.  B.  DeWitt  was  chosen. — 
1883,  p.  43. 

The  Board  of  Publication  reported  the  following: 

The  Assembly  of  1883  created  this  oflice,  and  elected  Rev.  M.  B. 
DeWitt,  D.D.,  thereto,  and  appointed  a  committee,  of  which  the 
Superintendent  was  made  chairman,  part  of  whose  duty  was  to  provide 
for  his  salary  by  collections  from  the  Sabbath  schools  or  otherwise. 
Because  of  the  failure  of  this  Committee  to  make  any  satisfactory 
provision  for  the  salary,  Brother  DeWitt  never  entered  actively  upon 
his  work.  The  Assembly  of  1884  substituted  the  Board  of  Ptiblica- 
tion  for  the  Committee,  and  the  Board  and  the  Superintendent  were 
left  to  provide  a  plan  at  discretion,  and  carry  out  the  same.  The 
Board  has  never  been  able  to  pay,  or  even  guarantee,  his  salary,  and 
the  superintendent  has  not  been  willing  to  enter  upon  the  work  with- 
out such  guarantee.  We  hope,  however,  that  the  office  will  be  con- 
tinued, trusting  that  the  means  of  calling  its  functions  into  active 
exercise  may  hereafter  be  provided. — 1886,  p.  115. 

The  General  Assembly,  on  the  recommendation  of  the  Standing 
Committee  on  Sunday  Schools,  ajiproved  of  Dr.  DeWitt's  declina- 
tion.—18SG,  p.  39. 

(2)   Rev.  J.  H.  Warren  ei,E(tei)    lo  the  office  of  Stpeuixtendent. 

The  General  Assembly  proceeded  to  the  election  of  a  General  Su- 
perintendent of  Sunday  Schools:  and  Rev.  J.  H.  Warren  was  elected 
to  fill  said  office.— 1886,  p.  44. 

The  first  annual  report  of  the  Superintendent  contained  the  follow- 
ing: That  another  year  might  not  pass  without  something  being 
done,  I  agreed  Math  the  President  of  the  Board  of  Publication  that 
if  the  Board  would  furnish  all  necessary  printed  matter,  stationery, 
etc.,  I  would  do  what  I  could  to  get  the  work  inaugurated  during  the 
year.  This  I  have  done  the  best  I  could,  consistent  with  my  health 
and  other  duties.  The  line  upon  which  we  have  been  working  has 
been  to  find  out  the  Sunday  school  status  of  each  church  in  the 
denomination.  By  this  I  mean  to  find  out  the  churches  having  Sun- 
day schools,  and  how  many  are  denominational,  and  how  many  are 
union,  and  the  churches  that  have  no  Sunday  schools.  Also  the 
schools  patronizing  our  own  literature,  and  those  taking  literature 
not  our  own. 

Through  the  Clerks  of  Presbyteries  we  first  secured  the  names  and 
postoffice  addresses  of  Clerks  of  Sessions  of  all  the  Presbyteries  ex- 
cept    five,     viz.:     Florida.     Hiwassee,     Kentucky,     Leavenworth,     and 


582  PART  /'/.,  AGENCIES  OE  THE  ASSEMBLY. 

Louisiana,  which  make  in  all  2,478  Clerks.  Many  of  the  Clerks  of 
Presbyteries,  in  making  their  reports,  stated  that  they  only  reported 
the  live,  working  churches,  leaving  out  a  great  many  that  are  dead, 
or  in  a  semi-organized  condition.  To  these  2,478  Clerks  of  Sessions 
has  been  mailed  a  circular  letter,  addressed  to  Sessions,  in  which  this 
Sunday  school  work  is  brought  to  their  attention,  also  a  Sunday  school 
blank  can  be  filled  out  and  returned.  It  is  possible  that  a  great  many 
Sessions  have  not  considered  the  circular  letter,  but  very  many  have, 
and  report  hearty  indorsement  and  promise  co-operation. 

To  this  date.  May  16,  1887,  850  Sunday  school  reports  have  been 
received.  These  reports  bring  out  some  interesting  facts  which  can- 
not be  included  in  this  paper.  Of  the  850  Sunday  schools  reported, 
436  are  denominational,  30G  union,  and  lOS  churches  report  no  schools. 
Of  the  denominational  schools,  370  patronize  our  own  literature  and 
66  do  not.  Of  the  306  union  schools,  80  patronize  our  own  literature, 
and  226  do  not.  Then  of  the  742  churches  reporting  schools,  450  use 
our  Church  literature,  and  292  do  not.  About  one-third  of  the 
churches  to  which  blanks  have  been  mailed  have  sent  in  reports.  At 
this  rate,  if  full  reports  could  be  had  from  all  the  churches  in  these 
Presbyteries,  there  are  2,220  churches  that  have  schools,  of  which 
number  1,308  are  denominational,  and  918  union,  and  324  churches 
have  no  schools.  There  are  of  these  2,226  denominational  and  union 
schools,  1,350  that  use  the  Church's  literature,  and  876  that  do  not. 
This  is  approximately  the  true  status  of  the  denomination  in  Sun- 
day school  matters. — 1887,  p.  18. 

(3)  Rev.  M.  B.  WeWiit,  D.D.,  tiiosi-.x  \\\  the  Boakd  of  Publication 

AS   GeXEUAI,    SlIT.IUXTICXDKXT    AND    SiXDAY    SCIIOOI,   EDITOR. 

In  compliance  with  your  instructions  to  place  the  editorial  man- 
agement of  our  Sunday  school  literature  and  the  superintendency  of 
our  Sunday  schools  under  the  control  of  one  person,  in  September 
last  we  elected  Dr.  DeWitt,  Editor  and  Superintendent,  he  being  a 
man  of  ample  experience  in  both  departments  of  said  work.  He  be- . 
gan  work  in  .January.  In  preparing  the  matter  for  the  periodicals  he 
is  so  grading  as  to  adapt  it  to  the  various  classes  in  our  Sunday 
schools.— 1889,  p.  120. 

The  following  recommendation  was  adopted:  Believing  that  the 
combined  labors  of  the  General  Superintendent  of  Sabbath  Schools  and 
of  the  Editor  of  Sabbath  School  Literature  imposes  too  much  labor 
upon  one  man,  owing  to  the  growing  interest  of  the  work,  we  recom- 
mend that  the  Board  consider  the  advisability  of  employing  a  Field 
Secretary,  who  shall  spend  at  least  one-half  of  his  time  in  the  field,  and 
the  rest  in  assisting  on  the  editorial  work. — 1890,  p.  22. 

In  compliance  with  this  suggestion,  the  Board  reported  as  follows: 
To  enable  Dr.  DeWitt  to  devote  the  greater  part  of  his  time  to  his 
work  as  General  Superintendent  of  Sunday  Schools,  Prof.  R.  V.  Foster, 


CHRISTIAN  ENDEAVOR.  583 

D.D.,  has  been  engaged  as  one  of  the  editors  of  the  Sabba,th  school 
literature.  By  this  arrangement  the  Church  not  only  gains  the  schol- 
arly and  valuable  labors  of  Dr.  Foster,  but  the  general  Sabbath  school 
work  of  the  Church  is  benefited  by  receiving  Dr.  DeWitt's  attention 
for  two-thirds  of  his  time  instead  of  one-half,  as  hitherto. — 1891,  p.  93. 

During  the  past  year  the  Board  have  relieved  Dr.  DeWitt  of  all 
his  editorial  work  except  that  of  editing  BWtle  Htudy,  thereby  surren- 
dering at  least  two-thirds  of  his  time  to  his  work  of  General  Super- 
intendent of  Sunday  Schools.— 1892,  p.  99. 

Dr.  DeWitt  resigned  in  1894.  The  General  Assembly  expressed  its 
regrets  in  these  words:  The  necessity  for  the  resignation  of  Dr.  De- 
Witt  is  to  be  deplored,  and  the  gratitude  of  the  whole  Church  is 
due  to  him  for  his  untiring  labors  in  this  office.— 1894,  p.  31. 

(4)  Rkv.    Geo.    O.    BAfinr.vx    elected    to    the    office    of    Gexeral 

SrPERINTEXDEXT. 

The  Board  has  madt^  a  contract  with  Rev.  Geo.  O.  Bachman,  of 
Enfield,  111.,  to  act  as  Superintendent  of  Sunday  School  Work  from 
the  first  day  of  April,  IS94,  to  the  first  day  of  July,  1895.- 1894,  p.  108. 

On  the  recommendation  of  the  Permanent  Committee,  the  office  of 
General  Superintendent  was  discontinued  "for  the  present." — 1895,  p. 
139,  and  p.  23. 

(5)   Rev.   Tayi.or  Bernard,  Actixc;   Sui-erixtexdent. 

The  Permanent  Committee  held  three  meetings  during  the  year. 
The  Executive  Committee  held  one  meeting.  After  the  retirement  of 
Rev.  George  O.  Bachman  from  the  Ofiice  of  General  Superintendent, 
Ruling  Elder  H.  H.  Buquo  acted  in  that  capacity  until  the  first  of 
September,  without  any  cost  to  the  Committee.  Since  then,  Rev.  Tay- 
lor Bernard  has  been  Acting  Superintendent  at  the  nominal  salary  of 
$50. — 1896,  p.  130.     Mr.  Bernard  is  still  the  Acting  Superintendent. 

IX.  PERMANENT    COMMITTEE    ON    CHRISTIAN    ENDEAVOR. 

A  memorial  from  Indiana  Synod,  relating  to  the  Young  People's  So- 
ciety of  Christian  Endeavor,  was  presented,  asking  the  General  As- 
sembly to  appoint  trustees  to  take  charge  of  and  develop  the  in- 
terests of  said  Society  in  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church. 

Touching  the  foregoing  memorial,  the  following  preamble  and  reso- 
lution   were    adopted: 

Tl7((vvY/\,  The  General  Assembly  has  heretofore  officially  designated 
the  Young  People's  Society  of  Christian  Endeavor  as  the  young  peo- 
ple's society  of  the  denomination;  and,  whereas,  it  is  of  the  first  im- 
portance that  the  interests  of  this  Society  in  all  departments  of  its 
work  should  be  carefully  considered  by  this  body  at  each  annual 
meeting:  therefore, 


584  PART  /'/.,  AGENCIES  OE  THE  ASSEMBLY. 

Re-sol red ,  That  a  Committee  on  Christian  Endeavor  Work  ahail  be 
appointed  by  the  Moderator  among  the  Standing  Committees  at  each 
meeting  of  the  General  Assembly,  this  resolution  to  take  eftect  at 
the  present  meeting. 

The  Committee  provided  lor  in  the  foregoing  resolution  was  ap- 
pointed as  follows:  Revs.  R.  W.  L,ewis,  A.  G.  Bergen,  .J.  L.  Good- 
knight,  D.D.,  .J.  W.  Laughlin,  and  Ruling  Elders  W.  P.  Wynans,  .1.  H. 
Gouldy,  J.   C.   Cobb.— 1894,   pp.   16,   17. 

This  Committee  submitted  the  following  recommendations,  which 
were  adopted:     We  recommend: 

1.  That  Ruling  Elder  A.  E.  Turner,  Lincoln,  Illinois,  Dr.  W. 
J.  Darby,  and  Ruling  Elder  J.  C.  McClurkin,  Evansville,  Indiana, 
the  Bureau  of  Information  and  Statistics,  appointed  by  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly  of  last  year,  become  the  General  Assembly's  Per- 
manent Committee  on  Christian  Endeavor,  and  that  the  first  named 
be  the  Chairman,  the  h^econd  the  General  Secretary  of  Christian  En- 
deavor, and  the  last  named  Treasurer. 

2.  That  since  it  is  not  to  be  expected  that  the  Secretary  can  afford 
to  devote  himself  without  salary,  and  since  competent  help  will  be 
needed  he  may  provide  himself  with  a  necessary  assistant,  who  shall 
be  paid  from  freewill  offerings  made  by  the  Christian  Endeavor  So- 
cieties of  the  denomination. 

3.  That  there  be  no  levying  of  assessments  by  the  General  Assem- 
bly's Committee,  Presbyterial  or  Synodical  Unions,  but  that  volun- 
tary offerings  alone  be  depended  upon  for  the  funds  needful  in 
conducting  the  Christian  Endeavor  work  of  our  Church. 

4.  That  there  should  be  conference  between  the  several  Boards  of 
the  Church  and  General  Assembly's  Committee  before  the  societies 
are  asked  to  make  a  contribution,  thus  avoiding  confusion  of  in- 
terests. 

5.  That  the  Committee  shall  appoint  annually  some  one  to  deliver 
an  address  before  the  General  Assembly  on  Christian  Endeavor 
work. 

6.  That  strictly  denominational  societies  be  formed;  and  the  fact 
of  a  few  persons  from  other  churches,  associated  with  a  Cumberland 
Presbyterian  majority,  does  not  call  for  the  conciliatory  policy  of  a 
union  organization. 

7.  Tliat  a  Christian  Endeavor  Reading  Course  be  ])rovided  for  our 
young  people,  looking  to  their  instruction  in  the  history  and  doctrines 
of  our  Church,  and  training  them  to  appreciate  and  support  our  general 
enterprises. 

8.  That  for  the  current  year  you  endorse  the  reading  course  outlined 
by  the  Bureau  in  their  report  to  this  General  Assembly. 

9.  That  you  adopt  the  regulations  offered  by  the  Bureau  and  in- 
tended to  govern  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Christian  Endeavor  So- 
cieties in  their  work. — 1894,  pp.  58-59. 


Cl/h'IS  TIAX  JCXDEA I  'OA'.  58a 

The  Permaneut  Commitlee  repoited:  Soon  alter  the  adjournment 
of  the  General  Assembly,  we  issued  a  pamphlet  of  lU  pages,  setting 
forth  in  detail  the  action  of  the  last  General  Assembly  regarding  Chris- 
tian Endeavor  and  making  such  helpful  suggestions  as  we  believed 
the  interests  in  hand  required. 

Among  the  things  to  which  special  attention  has  been  given  was 
the  observance  of  Joint  Anniversary  Day.  Various  conferences  were 
had  with  the  Board  of  Missions  and  a  combined  effort  was  made  to 
enlist  the  societies  to  the  fullest  possible  extent  in  observing  this 
day  and  in  making  an  offering  for  the  erection  of  a  church  at  Port- 
land, Oregon.  A  special  programme  for  the  day  was  prepared  and  was 
generally  observed.  The  aggregate  of  the  offerings  made,  as  indicated 
by  the  report  of  the  Board  of  Missions,  is  $2,023.69,  the  number  of 
societies  making  offerings  being  236. 

While  special  attention  has  been  given  to  this  particular  enterprise, 
we  have  endeavored  in  every  possible  way  to  promote  a  general  interest 
in  missions  among  the  young  people.  We  are  happy  to  report  that 
there  are  many  evidences  of  an  advance  among  them  in  this  par- 
ticular. In  some  societies  the  missionary  offerings  amount  to  as  much 
as  one  dollar  per  member.  Many  have  adopted  the  "two-cents-per- 
week"  plan.     All  manifest  a  growing  liberality. 

Although  the  cause  of  missions  in  our  church  work  necessarily  ranks 
first  among  the  enterprises  that  should  engage  the  attention  of  the 
young,  yet  it  is  important  that  every  department  of  our  Church  affairs 
should  be  brought  before  them  in  such  a  way  as  to  prepare  them  for 
the  broadest  possible  church  life.  They  should  be  trained  to  under- 
stand and  give  to  education,  ministerial  relief,  and  to  all  other  general 
interests  of  the  Church. 

In  the  cause  of  good  citizenship,  including  temperance,  social  pu- 
rity, and  all  other  virtues  that  lift  to  a  better  life,  and  in  many 
other  forms  of  activity,  the  societies  of  our  denomination  show  a  good 
degree  of  consecration. 

An  ever-present  question  of  vital  consequence  is,  What  do  our  young 
people  read?  We  are  doing  something  as  a  denomination  to  furnish 
them  suitable  reading  matter,  but  we  come  far  short  of  what  ought 
to  be  done.  Reports  from  societies  indicate  that  the  course  of  reading 
suggested  by  the  last  General  Assembly  has  not  been  generally  ob- 
served. Lack  of  interest  in  the  matter  is  so  evident  that  it  seems 
scarcely  worth  while  to  suggest  a  new  list  of  books  for  the  coming 
year.  Possibly  the  best  plan  will  be  to  continue  the  list  of  last  year, 
and,  in  addition,  to  place  one  volume  at  a  time  before  the  young 
people  of  the  Church,  and  endeavor  by  this  means  to  secure  their 
attention  to  this  subject.  So  far  as  our  Publishing  House  can  afford 
to  take  risks  in  this  direction  we  advise  that  the  measures  be  prose- 
cuted for  the  publication  or  adoption  from  time  to  time  of  such  books 
as  would    be   expected   to  secure   the  attention   and    patronage   of  the 


586  PART  VI.,  AGEXCIES  OF  THE  ASSEMBLY. 

youth  of  the  Church.  This,  however,  will  be  of  no  avail  unless  mem- 
bers of  societies,  pastors,  and  others  do  their  duty  in  the  circulation 
of  what  is  published.  We  must  have  a  young  people's  literature.  Only 
earnest  and  persistent  effort  will  accomplish  this  result,  and  the  in- 
terests involved  are  too  important  to  admit  of  any  lessening  of  exer- 
tion. The  necessity  for  a  weekly  Church  paper  in  every  iiome  should 
be  kept  constantly  before  our  Christian  Endeavor  Societies,  and  they 
should  be  made  active  agents  to  this  end. 

Christian  Endeavor  Unions  have  been  formed  in  many  of  our  Presby- 
teries and  "rallies"  of  the  societies  have  apparently  taken  .their  place 
as  an  established  feature  in  our  presbyterial  work.  This  feature  is 
proving  itself  exceedingly  popular  and  of  great  profit  to  young  and 
old  alike.  We  recommend  that  every  Presbytery  be  urged  to  adopt  it, 
also  that  il  have  a  place  in  the  work  of  every  Synod. 

We  further  recommend  that  the  General  Assembly  fix  the  time  for 
the  consideration  of  the  Endeavor  work,  and  that  the  Permanent  Com- 
mittee arrange  a  programme  for  said  time. 

We  are  pleased  to  note  that  the  young  people  of  our  denomination 
are  doing  their  full  share  for  the  promotion  of  Union  Christian  En- 
deavor work.  They  are  present  in  force  at  Union  Conventions,  and 
are  imparting  as  well  as  receiving  great  benefit  therefrom.  At  the 
great  InternaLional  Convention  in  Cleveland  last  July  there  was  a  good 
representation  of  Cumberland  Presbyterians,  and  due  effort  is  now 
being  made  to  secure  a  good  attendance  at  the  approaching  Convention 
in  Boston. 

The  Committee  communicated  twice  during  the  year  with  every 
society  whose  address  could  be  procured,  soliciting  a  voluntary  offei-- 
ing  to  meet  the  incidental  expenses  of  our  denominational  Endeavor 
work.  Replies  have  been  meager,  as  the  report  of  the  Treasurer,  here- 
with appended,  will  show.  The  astonishing  lack  of  interest  in  this 
matter  is  suggestive  of  the  difficulty  of  enlisting  our  young  people  with 
any  degree  of  unanimity  in  our  denominational  affairs.  Evidently 
the  process  must  be  slow,  but  the  duty  is  upon  us  and  it  behooves  us  to 
meet  it  with  persevering  effort. 

As  directed  by  the  last  General  Assembly,  we  have  arranged  for  an 
annual  Christian  Endeavor  address,  to  be  delivered  at  this  meeting 
of  your  body.  This  duty  will  be  performed  by  Prof.  J.  V.  Stephens, 
of  Lebanon,   Tenn. 

Early  in  March  we  communicated  with  all  societies,  whose  addresses 
we  had,  soliciting  a  full  statistical  report  and  furnishing  suitable 
blanks  for  the  same.  To  all  who  failed  to  report  by  the  middle  of 
April  we  wrote  again.  We  have  received  reports  from  350  societies. 
These  show  a  membership  of  about  12,000.  Of  these  92  are  Junior 
Societies,   with  a  membership   of  2,265. 

There  are  550  societies  on  our  roll.  Estimating  the  membership  of 
those  not  reporting  at  an  average  of  20,  it  is  fair  to  conclude  that 


CHRIS7V.IX  ENDEAVOR.  587" 

these  550  societies  number  lli.ooo  members.     There  are  doubtleoa  many 
other  societies  that  have  nut  reported  to  us  even  their  existence. 

The  greatest  gain  and  most  effective  work  are  observed  in  the 
Synod  of  Tennessee,  where  we  have  155  societies  and  4,081  members. 
On  account  of  pressure  in  other  business,  the  Chairman  and  Secretary  of 
your  Permanent  Committee  respectfully  ask  to  be  excused  from  further 
service  in  this  capacity.^ — 1895,  pp.  145,  146. 

A  recommendation  was  adopted  in  reference  to  a  literature  for  the 
young  people.  We  recommend  that  the  Permanent  Committee,  in  con 
nection  with  the  Board  of  Publication,  arrange  for  the  early  prepara- 
tion and  publication  of  a  series  of  books,  especially  adapted  to  the 
young  people,  and  that  the  Publishing  House  publish  the  same  at  the 
lowest  possible  cost.  We  suggest  the  following  as  among  the  subjects 
upon  which  books  should  be  written: 

1.  A  brief  Young  People's  History  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian 
Church. 

2.  A  concise  and  simple  statement  of  general  Christian  doctrine,  and 
of  the  special  Cumberland  Presbyterian  doctrine. 

3.  Systematic  giving. 

4.  History  and  claims  of  the  enterprises  of  the  Church. 

5.  Sunday  schools  and  Sunday  school  work. 

6.  History  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Christian  Endeavor  Work. 

7.  Educational  History  of  the  Church. 

S.  Brief  biographies  of  the  leading  men  and  women  of  the  Church. 
—1895,  p.  49. 

The  great  question.  What  shall  our  young  people  read?  has  received 
special  attention  at  the  hands  of  your  Permanent  Committee,  our  de- 
sire being  to  promote  interest  in  denominational  literature.  Through 
the  Church  papers  and  by  extensive  correspondence,  we  have  sought 
to  stimulate  our  young  people  to  read  our  weekly  papers  and  such 
books  as  would  bring  them  in  closer  contact  with  their  own  denomi- 
nation. Every  society  has  been  urged  to  have  a  Good  Literature  Com- 
mittee, and  to  organize  a  reading  circle,  taking  care  to  introduce 
through  these  channels  the  literature  of  our  Church. 

The  Committee  has  had  considerable  correspondence  with  individ- 
uals and  with  our  Publishing  House,  looking  to  the  publication  of  books 
and  tracts  that  would  interest  and  edify  our  young  people.  We  had 
hoped  our  work  in  this  line  would  show  much  more  extended  re- 
sults, but  we  are  conscious  of  having  done  the  very  best  we  could 
under  the  circumstances.  Material  has  been  collected  and  placed  in 
the  hands  of  our  publishers  for  a  pamphlet,  under  the  title  of  "Our 
Boards,"  setting  forth  their  history,  their  claims  and  the  work  they 
design  to  do.  Owing  to  matters  the  Committee  could  not  control,  the 
publication  of  this  booklet  has  been  delayed.  A  small  book  setting 
forth  concisely  and  clearly  the  doctrines  of  the  Church  is  in  course 
of  preparation  by   a   prominent  writer,   and   we  hope  it  will   soon  be 


588  PART  VI.,  AGENCIES  OE  THE  ASSEMBLY. 

ready  for  publication.  Much  correspondence  lias  been  had  with  a  view 
to  securing  in  story  form  a  history  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian 
Church,  but  we  are  not  able  to  report  satisfactory  progress. — 1896;  p. 
135. 

The  Permanent  Committee  has  been  glad  to  note  the  demand  from 
every  quarter  for  a  literature  of  our  own  for  the  young  people,  and  we 
regret  being  compelled  to  report  so  little  done  in  that  direction.  We 
are  deeply  impressed  with  the  need  of  such  literature,  and  certainly 
the  Church  should  devise  some  means  whereby  this  demand  may  be 
met.  The  Committee  has  no  fund  with  which  to  employ  writers,  and 
we  have  been  unable  to  find  those  who  would  write  gratuitously,  the 
authorities  of  the  Publishing  House  meanwhile  insisting  that  financial 
considerations  prevent  their  taking  the  risks  incident  to  the  creation 
of  a  Young  People's  Literature.  Notwithstanding  this  obstacle  we 
hope  something  may  be  done  through  the  Publishing  House  the  com- 
ing year,  and  in  any  steps  they  may  take  we  will  gladly  co-operate.— 
1897,  p.  120. 

The  Endeavor  societies  are  to  be  congratulated  that  they  are  soon 
to  have  a  representative  in  Central  China,  who  is  to  be  supported  by 
their  offerings.  This  should  furnish  sufficient  inspiration  to  enlist 
every  society  in  the  denomination  to  adopt  the  two-cents-a-week  plan 
as  recommended  by  the  Board  of  Missions.     Adopted. — 1X97,  p.  80. 

Your  Permanent  Committee  has  had  more  satisfactory  meetings,  as 
well  as  an  increased  number  of  them,  than  during  any  previous  year. 
In  many  ways  the  Committee  feel  that  the  Avork  is  better  in  hand  than 
at  any  former  time. 

The  Committee  claim  reasonable  faithfulness  in  caring  for  the  trust 
committed  to  them.  We  have  tried  to  carry  out  your  I'ecommendations, 
as  far  as  time  and  money  at  our  command  would  permit.  An  immense 
amount  of  correspondence  has  been  carried  on  with  Synodical  Superin- 
tendents and  societies,  seeking  the  development  of  the  Christian 
Endeavorers,  striving  to  bind  them  more  closely  to  their  own  de- 
nomination, also  aiding  in  the  formation  of  new  societies,  and  re- 
sponding to  a  very  large  number  of  letters  for  general  information. 

Among  special  things  emphasized  by  the  Committee,  we  mention  the 
following: 

Denominational  by-laws  have  been  printed  and  sent  to  societies,  urg- 
ing them  to  adopt  these  by-laws  in  connection  with  the  same  from  the 
United  Society. 

An  annual  letter  was  prepared  and  sent  out  to  the  societies,  calling: 
their  attention  to  the  special  things  in  the  general  Endeavor  move- 
ment; such  as  the  Quiet  Hour,  Tenth  Legion,  Missions,  Citizenship,  etc., 
also  referring  specially  to  our  denominational  features.  A  suggestive 
programme  for  public  meetings  in  the  local  society,  in  Presbyterial 
and  Synodical  TTnions,  was  prepared  and  sent  out,  hoping  thereby  to 


SYSTEMATIC  nENllFICENCE.  589 

give,  direction  to  their  rallies,  in  order  to  keep  them  in  touch  with 
our  denominational  as  well  as  with  the  interdenominational  work. 

A  programme  for  Anniversary  Day  service  was  prepared  by  the 
Committee,  in  connection  with  the  Board  of  Missions,  and  in  every 
way  thought  reasonable  the  Anniversary  Day  service  and  offering  for 
Second     Endeavor     Church     was     kept     before     our     young     people. 

While  the  contributions  of  Christian  Endeavorers  to  the  various 
Church  enterprises  cannot  be  separated  from  the  contributions  of  other 
members  of  the  congregations,  as  they  have  been  urged  to  contribute, 
not  as  Endeavorers,  but  as  church  members,  yet  it  is  a  fact  that  a  very 
large  number  of  them  are  giving  at  least  one-tenth  of  their  income  to 
the  Master's  cause. 

In  addition  to  doing  their  part  as  church  members,  they  have  con- 
tributed for  Home  Missions,  including  the  Second  Endeavor  Church, 
at  Columbus,  Ohio,  about  $2,300;  for  China  and  other  branches  of 
Foreign  Missions,  about  $1,300;  besides,  in  many  cases,  they  are  carry- 
ing local  financial  responsibilities. — 1898,  pp.  152,  153. 

The  General  Assembly  spoke  as  follows:  We  note  with  pleasure  the 
good  results  of  our  Joint  Anniversary  Day,  and  we  recommend  that 
this  Joint  Anniversary  Day  be  regularly  observed  by  our  societies  with 
a  suitable  programme,  to  be  prepared  by  the  Permanent  Committee  on 
Christian  Endeavor,  and  that  the  Board  of  Missions  be  instructed  to 
decide  upon  the  offering  desired  and  the  object  to  which  it  shall  be 
appropriated,  six  months  before  the  time,  and  a  special  effort  be  made 
to  get  it  before  our  young  people. — 1898,  p.  65. 

X.  PERMANENT    COMMITTEE    ON    SYSTEMATIC    BENEFICENCE. 

The  Standing  Committee  on  Systematic  Beneficence  submitted  the 
following,  which  was  adopted:  We  recommend,  therefore,  the  appoint- 
ment of  a  Permanent  Committee  on  Systematic  Beneficence,  consist- 
ing of  five  persons — three  ministers  and  two  laymen — viz.:  Rev.  Chas. 
Manton,  Paris,  Texas,  President;  Rev.  W.  B.  Preston,  Denison,  Texas, 
Secretary;  Elder  T.  J.  Record,  Paris,  Texas,  Treasurer;  Rev.  S.  M. 
Templeton,  Clarksville,  Texas;  Elder  Eli  Smith,  Whitewright,  Texas, 
whose  duty  shall  be  to  disseminate  knowledge  and  create  sentiment 
on  the  subject  of  Systematic  Beneficence. 

This  Committee  shall  be  located  at  Paris,  Texas,  and  shall  formulate 
its  own  Constitution  and  shall  make  annual  reports  to  the  General 
Assembly. — 1894,  p.   57. 

The  Permanent  Committee  on  Systematic  Beneficence,  appointed  by 
the  late  General  Assembly,  held  a  meeting  in  Paris,  Texas,  June  21, 
1894.  Rev.  Chas.  Manton,  Rev.  W.  B.  Presion,  Mr.  Eli  Smith,  and  Mr.  T. 
•J.  Record  were  present.  It  was  agreed  that  all  our  preachers  should 
be  asked  to  preach  on  the  subject  of  Systematic  Giving  at  least  twice 
a  year,   once   in  June   and   again   in   December,    and    that   Presbyteries 


590  PART  /■/..  A(:f:.\'CIi:S  OJ''  TJU:  ASSJiMIILY. 

be  requested  to  exercise  their  authority  in  requiring  tlie  observance 
of  this  rule.  All  Synods  and  Presbyteries  are  to  be  aslved  to  arrange 
for  special  sermons  on  Systematic  Giving  at  each  of  their  meetings. 
It  was  also  agreed  that  a  circular  letter  should  at  once  be  sent  to  all 
our  preachers  and  congregations  asking  for  contributions  of  one  dol- 
lar from  each  congregation,  such  contributions  to  be  forv^arded  to  the 
Treasurer,  Mr.  T.  J.  Record,  Paris,  Texas;  the  Committee  promising 
to  send  a  supply  of  literature  on  the  subject  of  systematic  giving  for 
free  distribution  to  every  congregation  contributing  one  dollar  to  its 
funds.  It  was  also  decided  to  ask  our  preachers  to  send  at  once  to 
the  Secretary,  Rev.  W.  B.  Preston,  Denison,  Texas,  the  names  of  all 
persons  in  our  Church  who  are  known  to  be  systematic  givers,  that  is, 
who  regularly  give  the  tenth  or  any  portion  of  their  income  to  the 
Lord.  It  was  also  decided  to  ask  each  of  the  Church  papers  to  pub- 
lish a  symposium  on  the  subject  of  Systematic  Giving,  or  in  some  other 
way  to  give  special  prominence  to  the  subject  in  the  near  future.  Rules 
were  adopted  as  follows: 

The  following  rules  shall  govern  the  Permanent  Committee  on  Sys- 
tematic Beneficence,  acting  under  appointment  of  the  General  Assembly 
of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church: 

1.  The  objects  of  this  Committee  shall  be  to  disseminate  informa- 
tion, and  to  create  sentiment  on  the  subject  of  Systematic  Giving 
throughout  our  entire  denomination,  and  in  every  way  to  foster  among 
our  people  the  habit  of  regularly  devoting  a  portion  of  income  to  the 
Lords  work. 

2.  The  officers,  consisting  of  a  President,  a  Secretary,  and  a  Treas- 
urer, as  provided  for  by  the  General  Assembly,  shall  discharge  the 
duties  usually  expected  of  such  officers. 

3.  Meetings  shall  be  held  at  such  times  and  places  as  may  be  agreed 
upon  by  the  Committee  at  any  meeting,  or  may  be  called  by  the  Presi- 
dent at  any  time,  or  by  the  Secretary  in  case  of  the  President's 
death,  absence,  or  inability  to  act. 

4.  Three  members  shall  constitute  a  quorum  for  the  transaction  of 
business  at  any  meeting. 

5.  The  funds  of  the  treasury  shall  be  raised  by  voluntary  contribu- 
tions,  and  no  debt  shall   at  any   time  be   incurred   in   the  woriv. 

6.  The  annual  report  shall  be  forwarded  to  the  General  Assembly, 
covering  all  points  of  the  work  for  the  year. — 1894,  p.  144. 

In  its  first  report  the  Committee  said:  One  thing  which  has  been  im- 
pressed upon  us  during  the  past  year  is  the  comparative  scarcity  of  lit- 
erature on  the  subject  of  systematic  giving.  Every  tract  and  small  book 
on  the  subject,  published  by  or  to  be  had  from  any  source  from  eight  or 
ten  of  the  largest  publishing  houses  in  the  nation,  does  not  make  a 
bundle  more  than  four  inches  thick.  For  instance,  from  the  Revell  Pub- 
lishing Co.,  Chicago,  who  are  among  the  largest  publishers  of  evangeli- 
cal literature  in  the  country,  only  one  pamphlet  could  be  had,  and  that 


SYST/CMATIC  BEXEFICEXCE.  591 

an  address  by  Geo.  D.  Herron  on  "The  Message  of  Jesus  to  Men  of 
Wealth,"  not  exactly  on  the  subject  of  systematic  giving,  too  advanced  to 
be  appreciated  by  the  common  people,  and  hence  unserviceable  for  our 
purpose.  From  our  own  Publishing  House  at  NashviPe  we  could  get 
nothing. 

Many  years  ago  Rev.  L.  C.  Ransom,  of  precious  memory,  issued  a 
pamphlet  on  Systematic  Beneficence,  but  that  is  probe biy  now  out  of 
print,  and  to-day  our  Publishing  House  can  furnish  not  a  line  of  any- 
thing to  instruct  and  stir  our  people  on  this  vital  subject.  In  nothing 
is  the  life  and  progress  of  the  Church  more  intimately  involved  than 
in  this  matter,  and  we  cannot  afford  longer  to  be  indifferent  to  it.  Are 
there  not  pens  among  us  which  can  write  simply,  popularly,  and  script- 
urally  on  this  subject,  in  our  papers  and  in  special  treatises,  and  cannot 
means  be  found  to  publish  and  scatter  broadcast  such  treatises  among 
our  people?  Is  there  not  some  man  of  means  among  us  who  will  of- 
fer a  prize  for  the  best  short  treatise  on  the  subject,  and  then  provide 
the  wherewitli  to  put  a  copy  in lo  the  hands  of  all  our  200,000  Cum- 
berland Presbyterians? 

In  the  commercial  woild,  in  the  industrial  world,  in  the  political  and 
social  worlds,  and  not  less  in  all  our  Church  machinery  money  is  the 
great  motor.  It  is  money  which  builds  churches,  prints  books  and 
Bibles  and  papers,  establishes  schools  and  benevolent  institutions, 
sends  out  missionaries,  and  moves  all  the  multiform  activities  of  ag- 
gressive service.  And  this  money  must  come  as  the  freewill  offerings 
of  our  people. 

We  submit,  then,  that  nothing  more  vitally  concerns  our  welfare 
and  our  progress  than  the  cultivation  of  systematic  beneficence,  grow- 
ing out  of  a  sense  of  stewardship,  and  guided  and  inspired  by  whole- 
hearted consecration  to  God,  among  our  people. — 1895,  p.   144. 

The  Committee  on  Systematic  Beneficence  made  a  report,  which  was 
adopted,  and  is  as  follows:  Believing  that  when  the  scripturalness 
and  propriety  of  regular  systematic  bestowing  of  personal  substance 
are  understood  and  pressed  upon  the  conscience,  the  service  be- 
comes a  delight  to  the  children  of  God,  and  having  ample  evidence 
that  he  always  blesses  both  spiritually  and  temporally  all  of  his 
people  v/ho  pay  their  tithes,  we  recommend: 

1.  That  this  General  Assembly  shall  now  declare  po.dtively  in  favor 
of  systematic  proportionate  giving. 

2.  That  the  proportion  be  at  least  the  tenth  of  income,  as  enjoined 
upon  God's  ancient  people  and  practiced  by  them,  and  that  gifts  above 
this  amount  be  encouraged  by  all  possessing  liberal  means. 

3.  That  not  only  the  subject  of  systematic  beneficence  in  general, 
but  the  method  of  proportionate  giving  and  tithing  be  fully  discussed 
in  all  the  Presbyteries  and  that  they  be  urged  to  adopt  such  methods 
as  will  best  educate  the  entire  membership  of  the  Church  in  the  mat- 
ter of  offerings,   requiring   their   ministers,   elders,   deacons,   and   Sun- 


592  PART  VI.,  Ai.ENCIES  OF  THE  ASSEMULY. 

day  school  superintendents  to  searchingly  investigate  the  subject  and 
teach  the  same  as  directed  in  God"s  Word. 

4.  That  eacli  Presbytery  appoint  a  Permanent  Committee  on  Sys- 
tematic Beneficence,  and  arrange  for  an  annual  address  or  sermon  on 
the  subject  to  be  delivered  before  the  Presbytery. — 1895,  p.  45. 

Your  Permanent  Committee  further  agreed  to  send  one  thousand 
pages  of  literature,  for  free  distribution,  upon  the  payment  of  one  dol- 
ia.-.  As  a  result  of  this,  quiie  a  number  of  Committees  have  been  ap- 
pointed, and  150,000  pages  of  literature  have  been  distributed.  An  ef- 
fort was  made  to  obtain  the  number  of  systematic  givers  in  each 
Presbytery,  but  the  information  at  hand  is  not  suflicient  to  justify  any 
specific  report,  other  than  to  say  that  we  are  very  much  encouraged 
at  the  interest  show-i  by  many  individuals,  especially  among  our  lay- 
men. 

In  several  of  the  Presbyteries  there  are  quite  a  number  of  "tithers," 
and  in  at  least  two  Presbyteries  there  has  been  a  considerable  awaken- 
ing upon  the  subject,  and  pledges  made  to  give  a  tenth  to  the  Lord. — 
1896,  p.  132. 

Your  Permanent  Committee  believe  that  when  the  Church  realizes 
its  stewardship  and  ceases  to  rob  God,  spiritual  power  will  not  be 
v/anting  and  revivals  of  grace  will  abound.  The  labors  of  your  Com- 
mittee have  convinced  us  that  the  money  power  of  the  Church  is  yet 
dormant,  or  is  feeling  only  the  first  movings  of  life;  when  it  is  thor- 
oughly awakened,  then  will  Zion  put  on  her  strength. 

The  consecration  of  this  mighty  power  will  come  largely  by  way  of 
the  printed  page,  and  any  money  that  may  be  put  by  the  various  Boards 
into  the  hands  of  the  Committee  for  this  purpose  will,  in  our  judgment, 
be  well  invested,  and  will  bring  in,  by  way  of  returns,  larger  collec- 
tions and  many  individual  offerings. 

It  is  the  thought  of  your  Committee  to  prepare  leaflets  upon  the  ques- 
tion of  systematic  beneficence,  adapting  them  to  the  various  enter- 
prises of  the  several  Boards,  and  thus  practically  to  bring  the  sub- 
ject before  the  Church.  An  examination  into  the  literature  furnished 
by  other  denominations,  and  inquiry  as  to  the  nature  of  the  demand, 
reveal  the  fact  that  leaflets  of  from  tv/o  to  eight  pages  are  most  ef- 
fective and  most  generally  read.  If  the  General  Assembly  can  put  into 
the  hands  of  the  Committee  an  amount  approximating  $500,  for  the 
next  year's  work,  we  believe  that  the  returns  will  be  "some  thirty- 
fold,  some  sixty,  and  some  an  hundred."'  The  subject  has  received  so 
much  attention  during  the  past  year,  that  to  continue  tc  press  the  work 
means  large  victories  in  the  future.  Nearly  350,000  pages  of  litera- 
ture have  been  sent  out,  being  more  than  double  the  amount  sent  out 
last  year.  Of  this,  but  little  has  been  that  of  our  own  Publishing 
House.  Through  the  kindness  of  the  Presbyterian  Board  of  Publica- 
tion, we  have  received  from  them  60,000  pages  as  a  donation.  Much 
has   been   obtained    from   the   Women's    Foreign    Missionary    Union   of 


SYSTEJLl  TIC  BEXEFICEXCE.  .  593 

Friends  in  America,  as  well  as  from  other  publishing  houses. — li>97,  p. 
132. 

The  following  recommendation  was  adopted:  That  Rev.  Charles 
Manton  preach  a  sermon  on  the  subject  of  Systematic  Beneficence  on 
Friday  evening,  at  the  next  meeting  of  the  General  Assembly,  to  be 
held  at  Marshall,  Mo.,  May,  1S98.— 1897,  p.  47. 

According  to  the  order,  passed  at  the  last  Assembly,  a  discourse  on 
Systematic  Beneficence  was  delivered  by  Rev.  Chas.  Manton. — 189S,  p. 
40, 

Believing  that  the  Committee  on  Systematic  Beneficence  could  work 
a  very  happy  educational  effect  on  the  Church,  if  a  sufficient  amount 
of  money  were  provided,  we  suggest  that  the  Assembly  instruct  the 
Boards  to  pay  into  the  treasury  of  the  Committee  on  Systematic  Be- 
neficence an  annual  sum  of  $300,  for  the  publication  and  circulation  of 
literature.     Adopted. — 1897,  p.  55. 

We,  therefore,  recommend  that  the  pei'manent  Committee  on  Ctiris- 
tian  Endeavor  present  to  societies  a  standard  of  excellence.  ;in  keeping 
with  the  plans  of  the  General  Assembly,  and  that  all  societies  attain- 
ing it  be  reported  on  the  Endeavor  Fioll  of  Honor  of  our  Church. 
Adopted.— 1897,  p.  80. 

The  demand  for  literature  is  constantly  increasing,  and  the  ability 
of  your  Permanent  Committee  to  meet  this  demand  is  limited  only 
by  the  means  in  their  hands;  over  600,000  pages  have  been  sent  out, 
the  larger  portion  of  this  gratuitotisly,  and  in  response  to  urgent  re- 
quests for  literature.  Some  literature  has  been  purchased  from  our  own 
Board  of  Publication,  but  by  far  the  largest  amount  from  other  sources. 
Ten  thousand  copies  each  of  "Tithing:  A  Layman's  Experience,"  and 
"Reasons  for  Systematic  and  Proportionate  Giving,"  have  been  dis- 
tributed; in  addition,  five  thousand  copies  of  "Systematic  Beneficence 
and  Proportionate  Giving;"  five  hundred  copies  of  the  "Law  of  the 
Tithe"  and  "The  Ministry  of  Wealth"  have  been  put  into  circulation. 

Among  the  encouraging  features  of  the  work  is  the  fact  that  each 
year  witnesses  an  increasing  number  of  those  who  become  "tithers." 
Time  may  leaven  the  whole  Church,  and  the  vexing  problem  of  church 
finance  may  be  satisfactorily  conducted  upon  the  basis  of  giving  unto 
the  Lord  systematically  and  proportionately.  The  great  lever  for  ac- 
complishing this  is  the  printed  page,  and  if  the  General  Assembly  will 
furnish  the  Committee  with  the  means  continuously  to  distribute  lit- 
erature in  the  congregations,  without  cost,  there  will  be  grand  results. 
Otir  people  must  be  educated  upon  this  subject,  and,  to  do  so  intelli- 
gently, information  must  be  brotight  ccnstantlj^  before  them.  In 
nearly  every  instance  the  denominational^  boards  of  the  several 
Churches  send  out  the  literature  upon  this  subject  free,  or  on  receipt 
of  postage.  If  we  are  to  educate  our  people,  we  must  do  likewise:  to 
send  but  one  leaflet  of  but  four  pages  to  every  member  of  the  Church 
would  require  a:;  edition  of  200,000  copies,  and  this  multiplied  by  sev- 
38 


594  PART  VI.,  AGENCIES  OF  THE  ASSEMBLY. 

eral  times,  would  necessitate  ttie  distribution  of  at  least  1,000,000  copies 
or  4,000,000  pages  in  one  year.     To  succeed  it  must  be  done. 

Your  Committee  is  fully  aware  that  there  is  no  specific  virtue  in  any 
mere  plan,  but  its  creation  and  existence  presupposes  that  systems  and 
plans  are  necessary  to  the  carrying  on  of  the  Lord's  work. 

No  plan,  even  though  it  be  God's  plan,  will  execute  itself.  No  Com- 
mittee can  get  in  motion  the  spirit  of  Christian  beneficence.  A  sin- 
cere love  for  Jesus  Christ,  a  recognition  of  Christian  stewardship,  and 
an  earnest  desire  to  participate  in  the  triumphs  of  the  Gospel,  are 
the  forces  that  will  lead  the  Church  to  contribute  of  its  means  and  con^ 
secrate  its  wealth;  in  church  finance  there  are  certain  fixed  expenses 
to  be  met,  but  these  should  never  be  allowed  to  absorb  the  beneficence 
of  the  Church.  They  are  but  the  necessary  expenses  of  the  business, 
while  the  beneficences  of  the  Church  are  but  the  expression  of  thespirit 
of  Christian  giving  unto  the  Lord.  Three  ends  should  ever  be  in 
view  in  the  matter  of  Systematic  Beneficence. 

1.  The  r.evelopment  of  Christian  character.  Christian  giving  is  a 
part  of  Cliristian  living,  and  the  full  measure  of  Christian  stature  is 
not  reached  until  every  one  realizes  his  position  as  the  steward  of  the 
Lord's  money. 

2.  The  education  and  the  training  of  the  Church.  One  of  the  most 
solemn  obligations  resting  upon  the  pastor  is  to  educate  and  train  his 
church  in  systematic  beneficence,  in  tithing  and  gifts,  according  as  God 
prospers  his  people. 

3.  An  increase  of  funds  with  which  to  carry  forward  the  work  of  the 
Church.  Offerings  are  an  absolute  necessity  in  the  prosecution  of  reli- 
gious work,  and  all  departments  wait  upon  the  Church  for  larger  offer- 
ings. Without  any  increase  of  expense,  our  Boards  could  easily  double 
their  effectiveness  if  they  had  the  money. 

Among  the  many  difficulties  in  the  execution  of  any  plan  that  may 
be  suggested,  is  the  disorder  in  our  beneficence.  Societies  of  various 
kinds  are  all  at  work  gathering  funds,  frequently  according  to  their 
own  fancies,  and  without  the  authority  and  sanction  of  the  officers; 
churches,  without  regard  to  locality  or  distance,  are  constantly  send- 
ing out  their  appeals,  with  no  one  accountable  for  results,  and  the 
treasury  of  the  Church  is  in  the  dark  as  to  much  of  the  beneficence  of 
the  Church. 

The  work  of  course  is  in  the  Church,  and  for  the  Church,  but  there 
is  no  system,  and  all  the  unity  of  effort,  and  the  development  of  a 
symmetrical  Christian  beneficence  is  destroyed.  We  need  a  reforma- 
tion, and  it  must  begin  in  the  local  church;  therefore,  we  suggest" 

1.  That  every  church  have  a  definite  system  of  benefic&nce  arranged, 
looking  to  the  development  of  the  congregation  in  the  support  of  each 
of  the  Boards  of  the  Church. 

2.  That  the  pastor  and  officers  constantly  and  earnestly  engage  the 
congregation  in  the  particular  objects  of  beneficence  that  periodically 


SYSTEMATIC  BENEFICENCE.  595 

engage  the  attention  of  the  Church  under  the  sanction  of  the  General 
Assembly,  and  pert?istently  discourage  all  offerings  that  do  not  come 
through  the  accredited  avenues  of  the  Church. 

In  regard  to  plans  of  work,  your  Committee  do  not  feel  that  they  can 
add  very  materially  to  past  recommendations,  but,  for  the  information 
of  all,  would  reiterate: 

1.  The  appointment  of  a  Committee  on  Systematic  Beneficence  in 
each  Presbytery,  whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  secure  the  presentation  of 
the  subject  ai  each  meeting  of  the  Presbytery,  to  have  a  sermon 
preached  in  each  congregation,  at  least  once  a  year,  on  Systematic 
Beneficence,  to  secure  the  co-operation  of  the  Christian  Endeavor  So- 
ciety, and  the  organization,  in  each  society,  of  a  Tenth  Legion,  and 
organize,  in  each  congregation,  a  Tither's  Circle,  for  the  purpose  of 
developing  the  interest  upon  the  subject. 

This  Committee  of  the  Presbytery  is  to  report  to  the  Chairman  of 
the  Assembly's  Committee  the  names  and  postoffice  addresses  of  all  who 
enter  the  Tither's  Circle  in  each  congregation. 

2.  The  Permanent  Committee  of  the  General  Assembly  shall  pro- 
vide blanks  for  the  use  of  the  Presbyterial  Committee,  upon  which  to 
report,  in  a  simple  way,  the  work  done  by  them  during  each  year, 
showing  the  number  of  churches  and  individuals  who  adopt  a  plan  of 
systematic  beneficence,  the  number  of  pages  of  literature  on  Christian 
giving  distributed,  and  such  other  information  as  may  be  helpful  to  an 
intelligent  understanding  of  the  progress  of  the  work. 

3.  The  Permanent  Committee  to  furnish,  free,  as  far  as  possible, 
suitable  literature  for  distribution  to  all  Presbyterial  Committees. 

4.  That  Presbyteries  be  requested  to  provide  a  fund  upon  the  basis 
of  one  cent  per  member,  from  which  to  assist  the  Permanent  Commit- 
tee in  meeting  the  expense  of  sending  out  literature  free  of  cost  to  the 
Presbyterial  Committees  or  the  congregations. 

5.  That  the  General  Assembly  again  instruct  the  Boards  to  pay  into 
the  treasury  of  the  Committee  on  Systematic  Beneficence  the  sum  of 
$300  annually,  with  which  to  prosecute  its  work. — 1898,  pp.  157-159. 

The  Standing  Committee  on  Systematic  Beneficence  reported  the 
following,  which  was  adopted:  That  you  reiterate  a  recommendation, 
passed  by  your  body  one  year  ago,  to  the  effect  that  you  express  your 
disapproval  of  all  indirect,  unscriptural  methods  of  raising  money  for 
God's  cause,  such  as  fairs,  festivals,  and  entertainments  of  any  kind, 
where  tickets  or  money  are  demanded  at  the  door,  we  add,  and  that 
you  discourage  the  attendance  of  your  people  at  such  entertainments 
given  by  other  denominations. 

That  the  Boards  shall  place  the  $300  asked  for  by  the  Committee  in 
their  hands  as  they  may  call  for  it. — 1898,  pp.  94,  95. 


596  PART  VI.,  AGENCIES  OF  THE  ASSEAfBLV. 

XI.   INSTITUTIONS   OF    LEARNING. 

[Note. — The  Theological  Seminary  is  the  only  Institution  of  learn- 
ing which  is  under  the  direct  control  of  the  Genei'al  Assembly.  But  as 
a  matter  of  information  the  charters  or  articles  of  association  of  all 
the  institutions  belonging  to  the  Inter-College  Association  of  the  Cum- 
berland Presbyterian  Church  are  printed  below.  Space  does  not  per- 
mit the  insertion  of  the  charters  of  the  various  institutions  of  learn- 
ing which  are  operated  in  the  interest  of  the  Church,  but  which  do  not 
belong  to  the  Inter-College  Association. — .J.  V.   S.] 


\.  Cumberland  University. 


[NoTK. — The  charter  of  Cumberland  I'niversity  will  be  found  on  page 
531.] 


2.  Waynesburg  College. 


A>  Ai  T  to  incorporate  the  Waynesburg  College,  in  Greene  County,  State 
of  Pennsylvania. 

Il7/(r((/.v,  Certain  persons,  holders  of  a  lot  of  ground  in  the  borough 
of  Waynesburg,  Greene  County,  with  a  large  building  in  the  process  of 
erection  thereon,  designed  for  educational  purposes,  having  manifested 
a  desire  to  place  the  same  when  completed  and  ready  for  use  under  the 
control  of  the  Pennsylvania  Presbytery  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian 
Church  of  the  United  States,  upon  the  condition  that  a  college  shall 
be  started,  in  which  at  least  three  professorships  shall  be  sustained  by 
said  Presbytery;  therefore, 

Sectioa  1.  Bi  it  ciKichil  hij  Ihr  Kciiatc  mid  Huiixc  of  lieprcscntatives 
of  the  CuiiiiJKjiurcaJth  nf  I'ciinxi/lraiiin,  in  (Icitcral  AKsnnhlij  »}(■(,  and  it 
is  herebij  enacted  hij  flu-  (inthoritij  of  the  same,  That  there  shall  be,  and 
hereby  is,  established,  in  the  borough  of  Waynesburg,  Greene  County, 
State  of  Pennsylvania,  a  college  or  public  school  for  the  education  of 
youth  in  the  English  and  other  languages,  literature  and  the  useful 
arts  and  sciences,  by  the  name  and  style  of  "The  Waynesburg  Col- 
lege;" the  said  college  to  be  under  the  direction,  management,  and 
government  of  seven  trustees,  a  majority  of  whom  shall  constitute  a 
quorum  for  the  transaction  of  business,  which  trustees  and  their  suc- 
cessors, shall  be,  and  they  are  hereby,  declared  to  be  a  body  politic 
and  corporate,  in  deed  and  in  law,  by  the  name,  style,  and  title  of 
"The  Waynesburg  College;"  and  by  such  name  shall  have  perpetual 
succession,  and  shall  be  able  to  sue  and  be  sued,  plead  and  be  im- 
pleaded, in  all  courts  of  law  and  equity;  and  shall  be  capable  in  law 
and  equity,  to  take,  hold,  and  purchase,  for  the  use  of  said  college, 
lands,  goods,  chattels,  moneys,  of  any  kind  whatever,  by  gift,  grant, 
conveyance,  devise,  or  bequest,  from  any  person  or  persons  whatsoever 


IXSr/TUTIONS  OF  LEARNING.  597 

capable  of  giving  or  malting  the  same;  and  the  same  from  time  to  time 
to  sell,  convey,  mortgage,  or  dispose  of,  for  the  use  of  said  college; 
to  erect  any  buildings  that  may  be  necessary,  and  generally  to  do  all 
and  singular  the  matters  and  things  which 'may  be  lawful  for  them 
to  do  for  the  well  being  of  the  college,  and  the  due  management  of  the 
affairs  thereof. 

Sectiox  2.  That  the  said  trustees  shall  have  and  use  a  common 
seal,  with  such  devices  and  •  inscriptions  thereon  as  they  shall  think 
proper,  under  and  by  which  all  deeds,  diplomas,  certificates,  and  writ- 
ten documents  whatever,  of  said  corporation,  shall  pass  and  be  au- 
thenticated, and  the  same  seal  to  break  and  devise  a  new  one. 

Sectiox  3.  That  Jesse  Lazier,  Jesse  Hook,  W.  T.  E.  Webb,  Bradley 
Mahanna,  John  Rodgers,  Honorable  Mark  Gordon,  R.  W.  Downey,  Wil- 
liam Braden,  A.  G.  Allison,  William  W.  Savers,  Doctor  A.  Shaw,  John 
T.  Hook,  and  John  Phelan  are  hereby  appointed  trustees  of  said  cor- 
poration, to  hold  their  office  until  their  successors  shall  be  elected  or 
appointed  in  the  manner  hereinafter  provided;  said  trustees  shall  be 
organized  upon  the  call  of  any  one  of  the  members,  and  shall  have 
power  to  adopt  all  needful  rules  and  regulations,  and  to  devise  such 
means  as  shall  be  necessary  for  their  government,  as  well  as  the  speedy 
and  effective  completion  of  the  college  buildings;  and  as  soon  as  such 
college  buildings  shall  be  finished  and  ready  for  use,  it  shall  be  the 
duty  of  said  trustees  to  give  immediate  notice  to  the  stockholders 
thereof,  by  publication  or  otherwise,  and  also  to  the  proper  authori- 
ties of  the  Pennsylvania  Presbytery  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian 
Church,  that  the  college  buildings  are  ready  for  use  and  occupancy; 
whereupon  the  said  stockholders  shall,  on  the  first  Monday  of  April 
following,  and  annually  thereafter,  at  the  college  buildings,  elect  three 
trustees;  and  the  said  Presbytery  shall  at  the  first  Spring  meeting  after 
such  notice,  and  annually  thereafter,  elect  four  trustees,  and  such 
trustees  so  elected,  chosen  or  appointed,  shall  hold  their  office  for  one 
year,  or  until  their  successors  shall  l)e  elected,  chosen,  or  appointed; 
Proriihd,  That  if  m  case  the  said  stockholders  shall  at  any  time  fail 
to  elect  or  appoint  their  number  of  the  trustees,  the  said  Presbytery  may 
elect  or  appoint  the  seven  trustees;  and  I'roriiJcn,  fidthcr,  That  said 
Presbytery  shall  establish  and  maintain  at  least  three  professorships 
in  said  college  within  three  years  from  the  notice  of  the  erection  of  the 
buildings,  otherwise  said  stockholders  shall  elect  or  appoint  the  whole 
number  of  trustees,  after  a  failure  by  said  Presbytery  to  establish  and 
maintain  such  professorships  within  said  period. 

Sectiox  4.  The  President  and  professors  of  the  said  college  for  the 
time  being  shall  have  power  to  grant  and  confirm  such  degrees  in  the 
arts  and  sciences,  to  such  students  of  the  college  and  others,  when, 
by  their  proficiency  in  learning,  professional  eminence,  or  other  merito- 
rious distinction,  they  shall  be  entitled  thereto,  as  they  may  see  fit, 
or  as  are  granted  in  other  colleges  or  universities  in  the  United  States, 


698  PART  /'/.,  AGENCIES  OF  THE  ASSEMBLY. 

and  to  grant  to  graduates  and  others,  on  whom  such  degrees  may  be 
conferred,  diplomas  or  certificates,  as  is  usual  in  colleges  and  univer- 
sities. 

Section"  5.  The  trustees  of  the  said  college  shall  have  power  to  fill 
vacancies,  and  to  make  and  enact  ordinances  for  the  government  of 
the  college;  to  elect  or  appoint  the  pi'ofessors  and  teachers,  and  agree 
with  them  for  their  salaries;  to  remove  them  for  misconduct,  or  any 
cause  which  they  deem  sufficient;  to  appoint  all  such  officers  as  they 
shall  find  necessary  for  managing  the  corporation;  to  provide  for  the 
punishment  of  all  violations  of  the  rules,  regulations,  and  ordinances 
of  the  college,  and  generally  to  determine  all  matters  and  things  which 
may  occasionally  arise,  or  be  necessary  to  be  determined  by  said  trus- 
tees; Pruridnl,  That  no  ordinance  or  regulation  shall  be  of  any  force 
if  repugnant  to  the  constitution  of  the  United  States,  or  of  this  com- 
monwealth. 

Section  6.  No  misnomer  of  said  corporation  shall  defeat  or  annul 
any  gift,  grant,  devise,  or  bequest,  to  or  from  said  corporation; 
Proiidcd,  That  the  intent  of  the  parties  shall  sufficiently  appear  upon 
the  face  of  the  gift,  grant,  devise,  conveyance,  or  assurance,  or  other 
writing,  whereby  any  estate  or  interest  was  intended  to  pass  to  the  said 
corporation. 

Sectiox  7.  In  all  elections  or  other  matters  in  which  it  shall  be 
necessary  for  the  stockliolders  to  decide  by  vote,  the  right  to  vote  shall 
be  as  follows:  the  holder  of  stock  to  the  value  of  fifty  dollars  and 
under,  shall  be  entitled  to  one  vote;  over  fifty  dollars,  and  not  ex- 
ceeding one  hundred  and  fifty  dollars,  two  votes;  and  all  sums  over 
one  hundred  and  fifty  dollars,  three  votes,  and  no  more;  the  said  stock 
may  be  transferred  on  the  books  of  the  corporation,  and  the  assignee 
thereof  shall  be  entitled  to  all  the  rights  of  the  original  stockholder. 

Sectiox  8.  That  the  legislature  reserves  the  right  to  revoke,  alter, 
or  amend  the  charter  and  privileges  hereby  granted,  whenever  in  their 
opinion  the  same  may  be  necessary;  in  such  manner,  however,  that  no 
injustice  will  be  done  to  the  corpoi-ators. 

J.  S.  McCalmoxt, 
l^licahcr  (if  tlic  llouxc  of  Reprcsciitatircs. 
V.  Best, 
SitcdLrr  of   tlic   Sriialr. 

Approved  the  twenty-fifth  day  of  March,  one  thousand  eight  hundred 
and  fifty.  "  Wm.  F.  Johxsox, 

(lurrriior. 

Exri.AXATOltY. 

1.  The  Pennsylvania  Presbytery  in  1853  transferred  its  guardianship 
of  the  College  to  the  Pennsylvania  Synod. 

2.  The  number  of  trustees  is  now  eleven,  instead  of  seven,  all  of 
whom  are  chosen  annually  by  the  Sj'nod,  there  being  now  no  "stock- 
holders"  to  exercise   rights  under  the  Charter. 


INSTITU'TIOAS  OF  LEARNING.  899 

3.  The  Chartei'  has  been  so  amended  as  to  conform  to  the  changes; 
and  the  Synod's  control  of  the  College,  through  trustees  of  its  own 
appointing,  is  absolute. 

4.  The  endowment  is  held  in  trust  for  the  Synod,  by  "The  Board  of 
Trust  of  the  Pennsylvania  Synod  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian 
Church." 


3.  Lincoln  University. 


Section  1.  Be  it  enacted  by  the  people  of  tlie  State  of  Illinois  repre- 
sented in  the  General  Aaseniblij,  That  the  Rev.  Elim  McCord,  of  the 
State  of  Indiana,  and  Robert  B.  Latham,  and  John  Howser,  of 
the  State  of  Illinois,  persons  chosen  by  the  Indiana  Synod, 
of  the  State  of  Indiana,  Rev.  David  Lowry,  of  the  State 
of  Iowa,  George  W.  Edgar,  and  James  F.  D.  Elliott,  of  the 
State  of  Illinois,  persons  chosen  by  the  Iowa  Synod,  of  the  State 
of  Iowa;  Rev.  James  B.  Logan,  Abner  C.  Boyd,  and  James  Cod- 
dington,  of  the  State  of  Illinois,  persons  chosen  by  the  Central  Illinois 
Synod;  Rev.  J.  M.  Miller,  Rev.  Joseph  E.  Roach,  and  John  Wyatt,  of 
the  State  of  Illinois,  persons  chosen  by  the  Illinois  Synod;  George  H. 
Campbell,  John  3.  Metcalf,  and  Abram  Mayfield,  of  the  State  of  Illi- 
nois, persons  chosen  by  the  Sangamon  Synod,  of  the  State  of  Illinois; 
and  their  successors  in  office,  be,  and  are  hereby,  created  a  body  politic 
and  corporate,  by  the  name  and  style  of  "The  Trustees  of  Lincoln  Uni- 
versity," and  by  that  name  and  style  to  remain  and  have  perpetual 
succession. 

2.  That  present  Board  of  Trustees  of  said  University,  as  created  by 
this  act,  shall  be  divided  into  three  equal  classes,  the  term  of  office 
of  the  first  class  to  expire  at  the  first  annual  meeting,  to  be  held  after 
the  passage  of  this  act,  of  the  respective  Synods  by  which  said  trustees 
were  chosen  as  hereinbefore  mentioned;  that  of  the  second  class  at  the 
second  annual  meeting  of  said  Synods;  that  of  the  third  class  at  the 
third  annual  meeting  of  said  Synods,  or  until  their  respective  successors 
are  appointed.  The  above  named,  Elim  McCord,  David  Lowry,  James 
Coddington,  John  Wyatt,  and  George  H.  Campbell,  are  hereby  de- 
clared to  be  of  the  first  class;  Robert  B.  Latham,  James  F.  D.  Elliott, 
James  B.  Logan,  Joseph  E.  Roach,  and  John  S.  Metcalf,  are  hereby 
declared  to  be  of  the  second  class,  and  the  remainder  of  said  trustees  are 
hereby  declared  to  be  of  the  third  and  last  class. 

3.  The  appointment  of  successors  to  the  above  named  Trustees  is 
hereby  A^ested  in  the  several  Synods,  and  each  Synod  shall  have  an 
equal  number  of  Trustees,  not  exceeding  three,  who  shall  hold  their 
offices  for  three  years  or  until  their  successors  shall  be  appointed.  Va- 
cancies by  death,  removal,  or  resignation  may  be  filled  by  the  said 
Trustees;  Provided,  hoirever,  That  the  appointee  or  appointees  of  the 
said  Trustees  shall  hold  his  or  their  office  only  until  the  first  annual 
meeting  thereafter  of  the  Synod  in  which  such  vacancy  or  vacancies 


600  PART  VI.,  AGENCIES  OE  THE  ASSEJIBLV. 

may  have  occun-ed,  at  which  time  said  Synod  shall  have  the  power  to 
flll  the  vacancy  for  the  unexpii'ed  portion  of  said  term.  Vacancies  oc- 
curring in  the  present  Board  of  Trustees,  from  lilce  causes,  may  be 
filled  in  like  manner;  Provided,  hoicvnr,  That  the  persons  appointed  to 
fill  any  such  vacancy  or  vacancies  shall  hold  their  offices  only  during  the 
terms  hereinbefore  limited  to  the  said  several  classes  of  said  Trustees,  or 
until  their  successors  are  appointed.  All  the  Trustees  appointed  by  the 
Sangamon  Synod,  or  the  Synod  within  whose  territory  said  University 
may  be  located,  and  not  less  than  one  of  the  Trustees  appointed  by 
each  of  the  other  Synods  shall  reside  at  Lincoln. 

4.  The  Board  of  Trustees  shall  meet  annually,  at  or  in  the  vicinity 
of  the  University,  on  a  day  which  it  shall  previously  designate,  and 
special  meetings  may  be  held  from  time  to  time,  according  to  such 
by-laws  or  ordinances  as  they  may,  at  any  annual  meeting,  adopt  and 
prescribe.  If  any  Trustees  shall  fail  to  attend  the  said  annual  meet- 
ing of  the  Board  of  Trustees  for  two  years  in  succession,  his  office 
shall  be  declared  vacant,  and  may  be  filled  as  hereinbefore  prescribed. 
A  majority  of  the  members  of  the  said  Board  of  Trustees  shall  have 
power  at  any  legular  or  called  meeting  to  remove  any  one  of  their 
number  for  criminal  or  dishonorable  conduct,  or  for  any  other  cause, 
which,  in  their  judgment,  shall  be  prejudicial  to  the  interests  or  welfare 
of  said  institution. 

5.  The  Board  of  Trustees  shall  have  power  to  make  all  rules  and 
regulations  which  may  be  necessary  and  proper  for  the  transaction 
of  its  business,  and  to  appoint,  according  to  said  rules,  a  President  and 
Vice  President,  who  shall  be  of  its  own  members,  and  a  Seci-etary  and 
Treasurer,  and  other  officers  and  agents,  at  its  discretion,  who  may  be 
of  its  own  members,  or  otherwise,  as  they  deem  proper,  the  times 
and  tenures  of  whose  offices,  respectively,  the  duties  belonging,  and  the 
pecuniary  compensation  attached  to  each,  respectively,  shall  be  pre- 
scribed by  the  by-laws  and  ordinances  of  said  corporation,  and  until 
a  permanent  organization  of  said  Board  shall  be  effected  by  the  elec- 
tion of  said  officers  George  H.  Campbell  is  hereby  declared  to  be 
the  President  of  said  Board  of  Trustees,  with  power  to  appoint  a  Sec- 
retary; and  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  .said  President  (or  in  case  of 
his  death,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Secretary  appointed  by  him)  with- 
in four  (4)  months  after  the  passage  of  this  act,  to  call  a  meeting  of 
the  said  Board  of  Trustees,  by  notice,  in  writing,  or  otherwise,  to  eacti 
of  said  Trustees,  at  some  time  and  place  to  be  designated  in  said 
notice  (such  notice  to  be  given  at  least  twenty  days  before  the  tirhe 
appointed  for  such  meeting),  for  the  purpose  of  effecting  a  permanent 
organization  under  this  charter,  and  the  transaction  of  any  other  neces- 
sary business. 

6.  A  majority  of  the  Trustees  of  said  University,  at  any  meeting,  shall 
have  power,  as  in  their  judgment  the  funds  and  property  of  said 
University  may,  from  time  to  time,  allow  to  establish  schools  of  every 


lysnTC'Tioxs  of  le.^a'aavg.  eoi 

grade  and  description,  together  with  a  College  and  Seminary,  and  de- 
partments devoted  to  instruction  in  theology,  law,  and  medicine,  gen- 
eral or  particular  sciences,  literature,  or  the  arts;  to  prescribe  and  regu- 
late the  course  of  studies,  to  be  pursued  in  said  University,  and  in 
each  and  all  the  departments  thereof;  to  fix  the  rate  of  tuition,  room 
rent,  and  other  necessary  expenses;  to  appoint  a  Faculty,  consisting 
of  a  President  and  other  instructors.  Professors,  Tutors,  and  Teachers 
of  every  grade,  and  the  officers  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  and  such 
other  officers  and  agents  as  may  be  needed  in  the  management  of  the 
concerns  of  the  University;  to  define  their  powers,  duties,  and  employ- 
ments; to  fix  their  compensation,  conti'act  for  and  pay  the  same;  to 
displace  or  remove  either  or  any  of  said  instructors,  oflicers,'»or  agents, 
or  all  of  them,  as  a  majority  of  said  Trustees  shall  deem  the  interests 
of  said  University  to  require;  to  fill  all  vacancies  among  said  in- 
structors, officers,  and  agents;  to  purchase  books,  chemical  and  phil- 
osophical apparatus,  and  other  suitable  means  and  appliances  to  facili- 
tate instruction,  including  the  establishment  of  an  astronomical  ob- 
servatory, with  all  suitable  and  convenient  apparatus;  to  put  in  op- 
eration, if  deemed  advisable,  a  system  of  manual  labor,  or  gymnastic, 
or  other  exercises,  for  the  purpose  of  promoting  the  health  of  the 
students  and  lessening  the  expenses  of  education;  to  make  rules  for 
the  general  management  of  the  affairs  of  said  University,  and  for  the 
regulation  of  the  conduct  of  its  students,  and  to  confer  on  such  per- 
sons as  may  be  deemed  deserving,  such  academical  and  honorary  de- 
grees as  are  usual  and  customary  in  any  other  colleges  or  universities 
in  this  State  and  elsewhere;  ProrhJrd,  lioircrer,  That  five  (5)  members 
of  said  Board  shall  constitute  a  quorum  for  the  transaction  of  any 
business,  the  power  to  do  which  is  not  in  this  charter  specifically 
limited  to  a  majority  of  said  Board. 

7.  Said  Trustees  shall  have  a  common  seal,  to  be  by  them  altered 
at  pleasure;  they  may  sue  and  be  sued,  plead  and  be  impleaded,  in 
their  corporate  name  and  capacity,  and  thereby  shall  have  power  to 
purchase,  receive,  and  hold,  to  them  and  their  successors  forever,  any 
lands,  tenements,  rents,  goods,  chattels,  stocks,  or  moneys,  and  prop- 
erty of  any  kind  M^hatsoever,  which  may  be  purchased  by,  devised, 
given,  or  bequeathed  to  them,  or  for  the  use  of  said  University  or  any 
of  the  departments  thereof,  and  a  majority  of  them  concurring,  they 
shall  have  power  to  invest  and  loan  all  moneys  and  funds,  and  by 
bargain,  sale,  conveyance,  lease,  or  otherwise,  to  manage,  sell  and  dis- 
pose of  any  and  all  lands,  tenements,  stocks,  rents,  moneys,  goods, 
and  chattels,  legacies,  bequests,  and  estates,  and  property  of  any  de- 
scription whatsoever,  of  which  they  shall  be  legally  seized  and  pos- 
sessed for  the  sole  use  of  said  University,  at  such  times  and  in  such 
manner  and  on  such  terms  as  to  then)  maj'  seem  best  adapted  to  pro- 
mote the  objects  of  their  incorporation:  Provided,  hoirerrr.  That  no  gift, 
grant,  or  devise,  made  to  the  said  Trustees  or  to  the  University  for  a 


602  PART  VI.,  AGENCIES  OF  THE  ASSEMBLY. 

particular  purpose,  shall  be  applied  to  any  other  purpose.  Every  gift, 
grant,  or  devise,  made  with  the  intent  of  benefiting  said  University, 
shall  be  construed  liberally  in  the  couris  according  to  the  intent 
of  the  grantor,  donor,  or  devisor,  and  no  misnomer  of  said  corpo- 
ration shall  annul,  defeat,  or  in  anywise  impair  any  gift,  grant,  or  devise 
of  any  kind  to  or  for  the  benefit  of  said  corporation,  if  it  shall  suf- 
ficiently appear  upon  the  face  of  the  gift,  grant,  will,  or  oiher  writ- 
ing, that  if  was  intended  thereby  to  pass  to  said  corporation,  or  for  its 
use,  or  for  the  use  of  said  University,  any  estate  or  interest  what- 
ever. 

8.  Before  any  Trustee  shall  enter  on  the  execution  of  his  office,  he 
shall  subscribe  in  a  book,  to  be  kept  for  that  purpose,  the  following 
engagement;  "In  the  presence  of  God,  I  do  solemnly  promise  that  I 
will  faithfully  execute  the  office  of  a  Trustee  of  'Lincoln  University,' 
under  the  act  to  incorporate  the  Trustees  thereof,  and  such  other  acts 
as  may  have  been  or  may  hereafter  be  passed  amendatory  thereto,  so 
long  as  I  may  continue  in  this  office." 

9.  All  property,  (of)  whatever  kind  and  description,  belonging  or  ap- 
pertaining to  the  corporate  body  created  by  this  act,  shall  be  and  for- 
ever remain  free  and  exempt  from  taxation  for  any  and  all  purposes 
whatever. 

10.  Equal  privileges  of  admission  and  instruction,  with  all  the  ad- 
vantages of  the  institution  in  all  its  departments,  shall  be  allowed  to 
students  of  every  denomination  of  Christians,  both  male  and  female, 
subject  to  such  reasonable  regulations  as  the  Board  of  Trustees  may 
adopt. 

11.  Each  of  the  Synods  mentioned  in  this  charter  may,  at  their  an- 
nual meetings,  or  at  any  other  meeting,  appoint  one  and  not  more  than 
two  persons,  and  said  persons  shall  constitute  a  Board  of  Visitors, 
whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  visit  said  institution  annually,  at  such  time 
as  they  may  see  proper,  and  to  examine  into  the  courses  of  study  and 
methods  of  instruction  ptirsued  therein,  and  the  manner  in  which 
the  several  trusts  connected  with  the  University  are  fulfilled,  and  into 
its  general  condition  and  progress;  to  advise  and  coimsel  with  the 
Board  of  Trustees  and  the  Professors  and  officers  of  said  institution 
respecting  all  such  matters  pertaining  thereto  as  they  may  deem  im- 
portant, and  to  report  the  results  of  their  examination  to  the  several 
Synods,  with  stich  suggestions  as  they  may  deem  proper.  At  the  time 
of  any  official  visitation  by  the  said  Board  of  Visitors,  all  the  books, 
records,  and  papers  belonging  to  the  University  shall  be  freely  opened 
to  their  inspection,  and  all  persons  connected  with  it  shall  be  subject 
to  their  call  for  information  or  testimony  in  relation  to  the  subjects 
of  their  official  investigation. 

12.  Any  Synod  of  the  Church  known  and  designated  as  "The  Cum- 
berland Presbyterian  Church  of  the  United  States,"  which  may  here- 
after be  erected  within  or  created  out  of  the  territory  embraced  within 


lASTITUTJOyS  OF  LEAAWING.  603 

the  five  (.5)  Synods  mentioned  in  this  charter,  or  any  other  Synod 
of  the  same  Church  within  the  bounds  of  the  United  States,  any  of 
wiiose  constituent  members  shall  have  contributed  to  the  fund  for  the 
erection  of  said  University,  its  maintenance  or  endowment,  or  may  de- 
sire to  do  so,  shall  have  the  privilege  of  becoming  united  in  the  govern- 
ment and  management  of  said  University,  with  the  other  Synods  men- 
tioned in  tliis  charter,  by  official  notification  of  its  desire  to  the  other 
Synods  connected  with  said  University,  and  may  thereupon  elect  the 
same  number  of  Trustees  of  said  University  as  the  other  Synods  at 
that  time  may  be  entitled  to  have,  and  the  Trustees  that  may  be  elected 
by  said  new  Synods,  shall  have  the  same  powers,  privileges,  and  suc- 
cession in  every  respect  as  the  Trustees  selected  by  said  original 
Synods;  I'loridcd,  iKjiccrcr,  That  the  number  of  Trustees  of  said  Uni- 
versity shall  never  exceed  thirty  (30). 

13.  This  act  shall  be  deemed  and  taken  to  be  a  public  act,  and  shall 
be  in  force  from  and  after  the  date  of  its  passage. 

.Hipproved  February  G,  1865. 


4.  Trinity  University. 


The  original  charter  of  Trinity  University  was  granted  by  act  of  the 
legislature  of  date  of  August  13th,  1870,  which  was  amended  in  1877  and 
again  in  ISSS. 

The  following  is  a  copy  of  the  charter,  as  amended,  and  as  it  now 
stands,  and  under  whicli  the  school  is  being  conducted: 

Section  1.  /Jr  //  ciiacled  by  the  le</ixhiti(rc  of  the  titate  of  Te.ras:,  That 
an  institution  of  learning,  heretofore  located  and  now  in  operation  at 
Tehuacana  Hills,  Limestone  County,  Texas,  be,  and  the  same  is  hereby, 
incorporated  by  the  name  of  Trinity  University,  and  James  M.  Love, 
D.  M.  Prendergast,  Isaac  H.  Roberts,  L  H.  Bell,  J.  S.  Willis,  H.  A.  Boyd, 
D.  R.  Oliphant,  S.  B.  Campbell,  and  M.  M.  Burgess,  and  their  successors 
in  office,  are  hereby  constituted  a  body  corporate  and  politic,  under 
the  name  and  style  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  Trinity  University,  to 
have  charge  of  the  interests  of  said  institution,  by  which  name  they 
shall  have  succession,  and  be  capable  in  law,  to  sue  and  be  sued,  plead 
and  be  impleaded,  to  contract  and  be  contracted  with,  to  enact  by-laws, 
rules,  and  regulations,  to  buy,  sell,  and  hold  property  of  any  and  every 
kind,  and  manage  the  same,  whether  purchased  or  acquired  by  said  in- 
stitution by  gift,  devise,  bequest,  or  otherwise;  and  generally  to  do  and 
perform  whatever,  in  the  opinion  of  said  Board,  will  advance  the  in- 
terests of  said  institution,  without  being  inconsistent  with  the  laws 
of  the  land. 

Section  2.  The  Board  of  Trustees  shall  have  a  common  seal  for 
the  transaction  of  business,  which  shall  be  kept  by  the  Secretary 
of  the  Board,  and  shall  have  the  direct  control  and  management  of 
said   institution;    but   the   consolidated   Svnod   of   Texa.5   shall    have   a 


604  PART  VI.,  AGENCIES  OE  THE  ASSEMBLY. 

general  advisory  supervision  of  the  same,  and  said  Board  shall,  once 
in  each  year,  report  to  said  Synod  the  condition  of  said  institution, 
with  such  details  as  may  be  necessary  to  understand  its  workings  and 
prospects. 

Section  3.  The  faculty  of  said  institution  shall  consist  ol  a  Presi- 
dent, a  Vice  President  (.when  the  Board  of  Trustees  shall  think  proper 
to  name  onej,  and  such  Professors  and  Teachers  as  the  Board  of 
Trustees  may  deem  necessary,  who  shall  be  appointed,  and  may  be 
removed  by,  and  v/hose  salaries  shall  be  fixed  by,  the  Board  of 
Trustees. 

Sectiox  4.  Said  institution  shall  consist  of  both  male  and  female 
departments,  and  the  male  department  may  embrace,  beside  the  or- 
dinary literary  department,  a  department  of  law,  medicine,  theology, 
and  such  other  departments  as  the  Board  of  Trustees  may  from  time 
to  time  deem  proper. 

Section  5.  All  property  purchased,  donated,  bequeathed,  or  other- 
wise acquired  by  said  institution  shall  be  deemed  to  be  held  by  said 
Board  of  Trustees,  in  trust  for  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church 
of  Texas,  with  full  power,  however,  to  sell,  control,  and  manage  the 
same  for  the  benefit  of  said  institution. 

Section  6.  The  Board  of  Trustees  shall  elect  a  Chairman,  Secre- 
tary, and  Treasurer.  The  Chairman  and  Treasurer  shall  be  members 
of  the  Board,  but  the  Secretary  may  or  may  not  be,  at  the  option 
of  the  Board.  These  several  officers  shall  hold  their  offices  for  such 
times,  and  shall  respectively  perform  such  duties,  and  be  subject  to 
such  orders,  rules,  restrictions,  and  obligations  as  may  be  prescribed 
by  the  Board.  All  seals,  contracts,  and  obligations  shall  have  the 
sanction  of  the  Board,  and  shall  be  signed  by  the  Chairman,  and  at- 
tested by  the  Secretary,  with  the  seal  of  the  Board  affixed,  or  by  the 
agent  of  the  Board,  regularly  appointed  and  thereto  authorized. 

Section  7.  The  Board  of  Trustees  shall  meet  on  its  own  adjourn- 
ment, but  meetings  may  be  called  by  two  members  of  the  Board  or 
l)y  the  Faculty  and  one  member  of  the  Board,  of  which  each  mem- 
ber shall  have  timely  notice.  No  meeting  of  the  Board  shall  be  held 
elsewhere  than  at  the  institution,  and  a  majority  of  the  Board  shall 
constitute  a  quo)Him  for  the  transaction  of  all  business  except  as 
herein  otherwise  provided. 

Section  S.  The  Board  of  Trustees  shall  have  power  to  remove  or 
expel  any  of  its  members  for  grossly  immoral  or  disreputable  con- 
duct, or  for  continued  and  willful  neglect  of  the  duties  incident  to  his 
position;  to'do  this,  however,  it  shall  require  a  two-thirds  vote  of 
the  entire  Board,  and  the  reason  for  so  doing  shall  be  entered  ia 
full  upon  the  minutes  of  the  Board. 

Section  9.  All  donations  heretofore  made  to  said  institution,  or  tO' 
the  Board  of  Trustees  acting  in.  behalf  thereof,  and  all  sales,  con- 
tracts, and  obligations  heretofore  made  and  entered  into  by  or  with. 


JNSTITUriOXS  OF  LEARNING.  GOo 

said  Board  shall  be  held  to  be  valid,  and  of  the  same  binding  force 
as  if  said  institution  had  at  the  time  been  incorporated,  and  said  Board 
of  Trustees  had  then  been  by  law  a  body  corporate  and  politic. 

Section-  10.  The  following  named  persons,  as  soon  as  they  shall 
meet  and  organize,  shall  constitute  the  Board  of  Trustees,  in  lieu  of 
the  present  existing  Board,  to  wit:  D.  M.  Prendergast,  T,  W.  Wade, 
J.  M.  Johnson,  Charles  Manton,  J.  M.  Halsell,  R.  M.  Castleman,  N.  A. 
Davis,  John  Karner,  and  J.  N.  Rushing.  All  vacancies  which  may  oc- 
cur by  death,  resignation,  or  otherwise  shall  be  filled  by  the  Board,  and 
the  person  so  selected  shall  hold  his  position  until  the  next  meeting 
of  said  Synod  and  action  is  taken  thereon  by  that  body. 

Sectioiv"  11.  The  members  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  constituted,  as 
provided  in  the  next  preceding  section,  shall  continue  in  office  until 
their  places  are  supplied  by  said  consolidated  Synod  in  order  following, 
that  is  to  say:  said  Board  of  Trustees  shall  be  divided  into  three  sec- 
tions, consisting  of  three  each,  taken  in  order  in  which  their  names 
tstand,  and  said  Synod  at  each  regular  annual  meeting,  may  appoint 
three  to  take  the  place  of  one  of  these  sections,  commencing  at  the 
regular  meeting  in  1889,  with  the  first,  and  at  the  next  regular  annual 
meeting  thereafter  the  next  three,  or  second  section,  and  so  on  in- 
definitely; but  in  all  cases  the  members  composing  either  section 
shall  be  eligible  to  reappointment. 

Seitiok  12.  The  Board  of  Trustees,  acting  in  conjunction  with  the 
Faculty,  shall  have  power  to  confer  such  degrees  upon  graduating  stu- 
dents and  upon  other  deserving  persons  as  are  usually  conferred  by  in- 
stitutions of  learning  of  like  grade,  and  give  diplomas  or  certificates 
thereof  in  such  form  as  they  may  deem  proper. 

Seitiox  13.  The  property  owned  and  held  by  said  institution,  be- 
ing set  apart  exclusively  fcr  educational  purposes,  is  hereby  declared  to 
be  exempt  from  both  State  and  County  taxation. 


Missouri  Valley  College. 


We,  the  undersigned,  Erasmus  D.  Pearson,  John  C.  Cobb,  William 
T.  Baird,  Alphonso  C.  Stewart,  James  E.  Ritchey,  Thomas  M.  Casey, 
Peter  H.  Rea,  .James  M.  Stevenson,  George  W.  Wilson,  and  Colley  B. 
Holland,  representatives  of  the  Synod  of  Missouri,  and  Neill  D.  John- 
son, George  L.  Osborne,  and  Dean  D.  Duggins.  repre3entatives  of  the 
Kansas  Synod,  the  same  being  Synods  of  the  Cumberland  Presby- 
terian Church,  and  now  having  jurisdiction  as  such  over  the  States  ot 
Missouri,  Kansas,  Nebraska,  and  Colorado,  do  hereby  associate  our- 
selves together  for  the  purpose  of  forming  and  becoming  an  educa- 
tional association  under  and  pursuant  to  Article  X.,  Chap.  21  of  the 
Revised  Statutes  of  the  State  of  Missouri,  1879,  and  do  hereby  adopt 
the  following  Constitution,  as  articles  of  association  for  our  govern- 
ment and  ao  showing  the  purposes  of  our  association. 


606  PART  /'/.,  AGENCIES  OF  THE  ASSEMBLY. 

Article  I. — Name. 

The  name  of  this  association  shall  be  Missouri  Valley  College,  and 
the  college  and  principal  office  of  the  association  shall  be  at  the  city 
of  Marshall,  in  the  County  of  Saline,  and  State  of  Missouri. 

AKTK'I.E    II. — TmSTKES. 

Section  1.  The  undersigned,  Erasmus  D.  Pearson,  .John  C.  Cobb, 
William  T.  Baird,  Alphonso  C.  Stewart,  James  E.  Ritchey,  Thomas  M. 
Casey,  Peter  H.  Rea,  .lames  M.  Stevenson,  George  W.  Wilson,  Colley 
B.  Holland,  Neill  D.  Johnson,  George  L.  Osborne,  and  Dean  D.  Duggins, 
shall  constitute  the  first  Board  of  Trustees,  and  shall  continue  in  of- 
fice until  their  successors  are  duly  elected  or  appointed  and  qualified. 
The  said  Erasmus  D.  Pearson,  John  C.  Cobb,  William  T.  Baird,  and 
Colley  B.  Holland,  of  the  Synod  of  Missouri,  and  Neill  D.  Johnson,  of 
Kansas  Synod,  shall  be  and  continue  such  Trustees  for  a  term  of 
six  years,  and  the  said  Alphonso  C.  Stewart,  James  E.  Ritchey,  George 
W.  Wilson,  of  the  said  Synod  of  Missouri,  and  George  L.  Osborne,  of 
said  Kansas  Synod,  shall  be  and  continue  such  Trustees  for  the 
term  of  four  years;  and  Thomas  M.  Casey,  Peter  H.  Rea,  and  James 
M.  Stevenson,  of  said  Synod  of  Missouri,  and  Dean  D.  Duggins,  of  the 
said  Kansas  Synod,  shall  be  ancl  continue  such  Trustees  for  the 
term  of  two  years. 

Section  2.  The  said  Synod  of  Missouri  shall  from  time  to  time  elect 
the  successors  to  its  members  on  said  Board  of  Trustees,  as  their 
respective  terras  expire,  and  the  said  Kansas  Synod  shall  likewise 
elect  successors  to  its  members,  to  serve  for  a  term  of  six  years,  and 
until  their  successors  are  elected  and  qualified. 

Section  3.  Upon  such  election,  said  Synods  shall  grant  to  such 
person  a  commission  in  writing,  signed  by  its  Moderator  and  Clerk, 
stating  therein  whom  such  member  is  to  succeed. 

Section  4.  In  case  of  the  death,  resignation,  or  refusal  to  act,  of 
any  member  of  said  Board,  the  Synod  so  electing  any  such  member 
shall,  at  its  next  meeting  thereafter,  fill  such  vacancy. 

Section  5.  The  said  Board  of  Trustees  shall  have  the  general  man- 
agement and  control  of  the  business  of  said  College,  the  corporate  name 
of  which  shall  be  Missouri  Valley  College,  by  which  name  it  shall 
be  known  and  designated,  sue  and  be  sued,  receive  and  hold  property, 
contract  and  be  contracted  with. 

Section  6.  Seven  members  of  said  Board  of  Trustees  shall  con- 
stitute a  quorum  for  the  transaction  of  business. 

Article  III. — Pihi'oses. 

The  purposes  of  this  Association  are  the  following: 

1.  To  acquire  the  legal  title  to,  and  hold  sufficient  land  for  the  proper, 


IXSTITUTJONS  OF  LEARNING,  '     607 

necessary,  and  convenient  buildings  of  the  Association,   with  a  suita- 
ble campus. 

2.  To  erect  and  maintain  a  suitable  college  edifice  or  edifices,  and 
other  proper  and  suitable  buildings  for  the  purposes  of  said  College. 

3.  To  found,  build,  maintain,  and  operate  a  college  for  liberal  and 
thorough  instruction  in  all  the  arts,  sciences,  and  humanities,  and  to 
provide  means  and  appliances  for  thorough  education  in  all  the 
branches  of  regular  collegiate  instruction  and  all  human  learning. 

4.  To  receive,  have,  and  hold  from  the  educational  commission  of  the 
said  Synods  the  Educational  Fund  of  one  hundred  thousand  dollars 
($100,000)  raised  by  said  commission  and  now  held  by  it  for  said  Col- 
lege, and  to  invest  and  preserve  said  Endowment  Fund,  and  collect 
and  receive  the  increase  and  profits  arising  therefrom  and  apply  the 
same  to  the  purposes  and  objects  of  said  College,  but  no  part  of  the 
principal  sum  of  said  Endowment  Fund  is  ever  in  any  manner  to  "be 
applied  or  used,  or  in  any  way  lessened  or  diminished,  but  the  same 
to  be  sacredly  preserved  intact  and  safely  invested  in  good  bonds  or 
ether  securities,  or  at  the  highest  legal  rate  of  interest  prudently  ob- 
tainable. The  interest  only  of  said  Permanent  Fund,  and  of  all  ad- 
ditional contributions  thereto  shall  be  used  in  payment  of  the  salaries 
of  the  Professors  of  said  institution  of  learning;  but  if  any  part  thereof 
may,  in  the  judgment  of  the  Trustees,  not  be  necessary  for  that  pur- 
pose, then  such  excess  of  interest  may  be  otherwise  used  for  the  sup- 
port of  said  institution,  as  may  be  directed  by  said  Trustees;  and  in 
case  said  principal  fund  become  impaired,  or  for  any  cause  reduced 
below  $100,000,  then  such  income  on  the  remainder  shall  not  be  used, 
but  added  to  the  principal  and  reserved  until  the  same  be  made  up  and 
restored  to  its  original  sum  of  $100,000. 

5.  To  accept,  receive,  have,  and  hold  any  and  all  gifts,  grants,  be- 
quests, devises,  donations,  and  contributions  of  money  and  property, 
for  the  erection  and  maintenance  of  said  College  edifice  and  other 
proper  buildings  and  the  improvement  of  the  grounds  of  the  Associa- 
tion, and  also  for  the  founding,  building,  and  providing  for  libraries, 
museums,  cabinets,  laboratories,  dormitories,  conservatory  of  music, 
and  gymnasiums  in  connection  with  said  College,  and  also  for  the 
founding  and  conducting  of  free  scholarships,  or  scholarships  partly 
free,  as  may  be  prescribed  by  the  donors,  also  the  founding  and  main- 
tenance of  leetnreships,  professorships,  and  chairs  of  instruction  in  said 
College.  The  word  scholarships,  as  used  in  this  article,  means  and 
shall  be  held  to  mean  maintenance  for  a  scholar;  foundation  for  the 
support  of  a  student— and  the  Faculty  of  the  College,  under  the  regu- 
lations provided  by  the  Board  of  Trustees,  shall  designate  the  bene- 
ficiaries of  such  scholarships,  provided .  that  the  donor  may  designate 
the  class  of  such  beneficiaries. 

6.  To  accept,  receive,  and  hold  any  and  all  donations,  gifts,  grants, 
devises,    and    bequests,    as    additions    to    the    said    Endowment    Fund, 


(508  FART  IT.,  AGEyCIES  OF  THE  ASSEMBLY. 

antl  when  so  received  to  become  a  part  thereof  and  held  and  managed 
in  the  same  manner  and  for  the.  like  purpose  as  the  original  fund  of 
$100,000,  and  under  the  same  limitations. 

AuTicLE  IV. — Powers. 

1.  The   Board   of   Trustees   sliall   adopt   all    reasonable   by-laws,   not 
inconsistent  with  the  laws  of  the  land,  and  these  Articles  of  Associa-,. 
tion,  and  may  prescribe  proper  rules  and  regulations  for  its  officers, 
agents,  and  employees. 

2.  The  Trustees  shall  meet  at  least  once  in  each  year,  at  Mar- 
shall, Mo.,  and  oftener  if  deemed  best;  require  written  reports  from 
all  officers,  agents,  and  employees  of  the  condition,  necessities,  and 
prospects  of  the  business  and  matters  of  the  College  committed  to 
them  respectively. 

3.  The  Board  of  Trustees  shall  employ  a  Faculty,  consisting  of  a 
President  and  such  other  Professors,  assistants,  and  Teachers  as  may 
be  deemed  necessary,  and  agree  upon  and  fix  the  salary  or  compen- 
sation to  be  paid  to  each. 

4.  The  Board  of  Trustees  are  authorized  to  employ  all  such  work- 
men, agents,  mechanics,  and  employees  as  may  be  necessary  in  the  ' 
prosecution  of  the  purposes  of  said  Association  and  to  fix  their  com- 
pensation; I'loiidcil,  That  they  shall  not  mortgage  or  otherwise  en- 
cumber any  grounds,  buildings,  or  other  property  of  the  College  for 
any  purpose  whatsoever. 

5.  The  Board  of  Trustees  shall  fix  the  amount  of  fees,  tuition,  and 
other  charges  of  students  and  other  persons  seeking  admission  to,  or 
instruction  in,  said  College,  or  any  department  thereof. 

6.  Said  Board  of  Trustees  shall,  upon  the  recommendation  of  the 
Faculty,  confer  all  academic  degrees  upon  the  graduates  and  post- 
graduates of  said  College,  and  upon  other  worthy  persons  distinguished 
for  culture  and  learning;  Pivridcd,  That  no  honorary  degrees  shall  be 
conferred  relating  to  any  department  which  is  not  at  the  time  being 
actually  taught  in  said  College. 

7.  Said  Board  of  Trustees  shall  make  report  in  writing  to  each  of 
the  Synods  within  said  States,  at  their  respective  annual  meetings,  of 
the  condition,  prospects,  and  necessities  and  wants  of  the  College,  show-, 
ing  the  number  and  positions  of  the  Faculty,  the  number,  age,  sex,  ad- 
vancement, time  of  attendance  of  pupils  for  the  collegiate  year  last 
past,  and  also  a  particular  and  detailed  statement  of  all  moneys  re- 
ceived, from  whom  and  on  what  account,  with  a  like  statement  and 
account  of  all  disbursements,  and  also  a  particular  statement  and  ac- 
count of  the  investment  of  the  said  Endowment  Fund,  and  of  each  and 
every  fund  under  its  management  and  control,  with  the  proceeds  and 
income  of  each. 

S.  That  said  Board  of  Trustees  shall  keep  all  permanent  funds  of 
said  Association  invested  so  as  to  secure  and  yield  the  largest  incom.e 


INSTITUriOAS  OF  LEARNiyu.  609 

■thereon,  and  they  shall  only  apply  the  profits  and  income  thereon,  to- 
gether with  the  income  arising  from  tuition  fees  and  other  charges 
and  resources,  lo  meet  the  current  expenses  of  said  College,  and  are 
hereby  expressly  forbidden  to  encumber,  charge,  use,  or  apply  in  any 
manner,  the  principal  of  any  endowmnt  fund  or  other  permanent  fund 
for  any  debt  or  obligation  of  the  said  College;  and  this  shall  be  notice 
to  all  persons  dealing  with  said  Board  and  its  agents  that  all  such 
permanent  funds  are  not  to  be  holden  for  any  liability  of  said  College. 
But  it  shall  be  the  duty  ot  said  Board  to  apply  all  profits  and  income 
of  said  funds,  together  with  the  ordinary  income  from  tuition  fees  and 
other  sources  to  the  payment  of  any  such  liabilities. 

AuTKi.E  V. — Offukus. 

1.  The  officers  of  the  Board  shall  be  a  President  and  Vice  Presi- 
dent, who  shall  be  members  of  the  Board,  a  Secretary,  who  may  or  may 
not  be  a  member  of  the  Board,  and  a  Treasurer,  who  shall  not  be  a 
member  of  the  Board. 

2.  No  member  of  the  Faculty  shall  be  a  member  of  the  Board  of 
Trustees. 

3.  The  terms  of  the  officers  shall  be  for  one  year  or  until  their 
successors  shall  be  duly  elected  or  appointed  and  qualified. 

4.  The  Treasurer  shall  give  bond  in  double  tne  amount  of  money 
and  securities  likely  to  come  or  be  in  his  hands  for  the  term  of  his 
office  with  no  less  than  five  good  and  solvent  securities  to  be  approved 
by  the  Board. 

5.  The  Treasurer  shall  make  to  the  Board  quarterly  statements  of 
the  condition  of  the  treasury,  and  a  full  statement  of  his  accounts  at 
the  annual  meeting  of  the  Board,  when  the  Board  shall  make  an 
examination  of  and  list  each  and  every  security,  together  with  all  funds 
and  moneys  in  his  hands  or  under  his  control,  and  said  Board  may 
at  any  time  inspect  hi.-;  books,  papers,  securities,  funds,  and  moneys, 
and  may  in  their  discretion,  suspend  or  dismiss  him  and  appoint  his 
succes.sor. 

6.  The  further  duties  of  the  officers  shall  be  the  same  as  usually  de- 
volve upon  such  officers  and  as  shall  be  prescribed  by  the  by-laws  of  the 
Association;  and  other  necessary  officers  may  be  provided  for  in  the 
by-laws,  and  their  duties  prescribed,  and  any  officer  may  be  required 
to  give  bond,  conditioned  as  may  be  required. 

7.  The  Board  shall  meet  at  least  once  a  year,  and  as  much  oftener 
as  may  be  required  by  the  Synods  aforesaid,  but  it  shall  appoint  an 
executive  officer  or  committee,  of  not  more  than  three  members,  to 
manage  and  look  after  the  interest  of  the  Association  in  the  vacation 
of  the  Board,  and  to  receive  and  examine  the  quarterly  statement  of 
the  Treasurer. 

8.  The  Board  of  Trustees  shall  fix  the  .-salary  or  romi)pnsation  of  the 

39 


610  PART  VI.,  AGENCIES  OF  THE  ASSEMBLY. 

Treasurer  and  Secretary,  and  may  allow  themselves  their  actual  ex- 
penses in  attending  the  meetings  of  the  Board. 

Akticle  VI. — Faculty. 

1.  The  Faculty  of  the  College  shall  hold  their  respective  chairs  for 
such  term  as  the  Board  of  Trustees  shall  prescribe. 

2.  The  Faculty  shall  have  the  internal  management  and  discipline 
of  the  school,  and  shall  make  all  needful  rules  and  regulations  for  the 
government  of  the  students  and  the  conduct  of  all  persons  connected 
with  the  institution,  in  and  about  its  buildings  and  grounds. 

The  Faculty  shall  have  charge  of  the  College  instruction,  its  curric- 
ulum, classes,  teachers,  books,  and  employees,  and  over  the  admis- 
sion of  students  to  the  College,  and  they  shall  have  power  to  enforce 
discipline  and  obedience,  and  may  suspend  or  expel  students  from  the 
College;  and  said  Faculty  shall  have  and  exercise  all  other  power 
and  authority  usually  possessed  and  exercised  by  the  Faculties  of 
such  institutions,  and  necessary  to  promote  the  success  of  the  enter- 
prise, and  the  advancement  of  education  and  learning. 

3.  The  Faculty  may  confer  all  academic  degrees  and  honors  upon 
the  students  who  have  met  the  requirements  of  the  institution  in  that 
respect,  as  also  honorary  degrees  as  hereinbefore  provided. 

Akticlk  VII. — Ame-nome.xt. 

1.  These  articles  of  association  may  be  amended  by  the  Board  of 
Trustees  at  any  regular  annual  meeting;  rroviaed.  That  notice  of  such, 
amendment  shall  be  filed  with  the  amendment  proposed  at  the  annual 
meeting  next  prior  thereto;  and,  Frucidttl,  (//.so,  That  said  amendment 
must  be  appi-oved  by  all  the  said  Synods. 

2.  The  by-laws  of  the  Association  may  be  amended  as  shall  be  pro- 
vided therein.  E.    D.    Pearson, 

John  C.  Cobb, 
WiELiAM  T.  Baikd, 
Alphonso  C.  Stewakt, 
Jas.   E.   Ritchey, 
Thomas  M.  Casey, 
Peter  H.  Rea, 
James  M.  Stevenson, 
CoLLEY  B.  Holland, 
Neill  D.   Johnson, 
Dean  D.  Duggins, 
Geo.  L.  Osborne, 
Geo.  W.  Wilson. 

State  of  Missouri,  County  of  Saline.— ss.  June   Term,   1888. 

In  the  Circuit  Court  of  said  County,  on  the  25th  day  of  June,  1888,  the 
following,  among  othei-  proceedings,  were  had,  viz.: 


INSTITUriONS  OF  LEARNING.  611 

Peti!1o.\  oi-  Erasmus  D.  Peak.son,  Dean  D.  Duggins,  and  Thomas  C. 

Raixey,  I'Or  the  Incoppohation  of  the 

Missouri  Valley  College. 

Now  at  this  day  come  the  petitioners  and  this  cause  coming  on  to 
be  hoard,  and  the  petition  and  articles  of  association  having  remained 
on  file  for  more  than  three  days  since  the  same  were  presented  to  this 
Court,  and  the  same  having  been  seen  and  heard,  it  is  the  opinion  of 
the  Court  that  such  articles  of  agreement,  and  the  purposes  of  the 
Association  come  properly  within  the  purview  of  Article  X.,  Chapter  21 
of  the  Revised  Statutes  of  1879  and  acts  amendatory  thereto,  and  are 
not  inconsistent  with  the  constitution  and  laws  of  the  United  States,  or 
of  this  State.  It  is  therefore  ordered  that  said  petitioners,  Erasmus  D. 
Pearson,  President,  Dean  D.  Duggins,  Secretary,  and  Thomas  C.  Rainey, 
Treasurer,  and  their  associates,  John  C.  Cobb,  William  T.  Baird,  Al- 
phonso  C.  Stewart,  James  E.  Ritchey.  Thomas  M.  Casey,  Peter  H.  Rea, 
James  M.  Stevenson,  Colley  B.  Holland,  Neill  D.  Johnson,  George  L. 
Osborne,  Geo.  W.  Wilson,  be,  and  they  are  hereby,  consolidated  and 
united  into  a  corporation  to  be  known  and  called  "The  Missouri  Valley 
College." 

State  of  Missouri,  County  of  Saline. — ss. 

I,  Matt.  W.  Hall,  Clerk  of  the  Circuit  Court,  in  and  for  said  County, 
hereby  certify  the  above  and  foregoing  to  be  a  true  copy  of  the  pro- 
ceedings of  our  said  Circuit  Court,  on  the  day  and  year  above  written, 
as  the  same  appears  of  record  in  my  office. 

In  testimony  whereof,  I  have  hereunto  set  my  hand  and  affixed  the 
seal  of  said  Court,  at  office,  in  Marshall,  Mo.,  this,  the  25th  day  of  June, 
1888.  Matt.  W.  Hall, 

Clerk   Chrnit  Court. 
[Seal.]  By    EuciENE    Graham,    D.    C. 

State  of  Missouri,  County  of  Saline. — ss. 

I,  M.  C.  Sandidge,  Recorder  of  Deeds  of  said  County,  do  certify  that 
the  foregoing  instrument  of  writing,  with  certificate  thereto,  was,  on 
the  25th  day  of  June,  1S8S,  at  6.10  o'clock  p.m.,  filed  for  record  in  my 
office  and  duly  recorded  in  Deed  Record  No.  59,  p.  355. 

Witness  my  hand  and  official  seal;  the  date  in  this  certificate  men- 
tioned. M.  C.  Sandidge, 

Recorder  of  Deeds, 
[Seal.]  Mhhl.  K.  McGrath, 

•     Filed  June  30,  1888.  (Secretary  of  State. 


INDEX. 

Accused  : 

Failing-  to  appear  before  judicatory 371 

Called  upon  to  say  whether  he  is  g-tiilty 372 

Admission  of  members  into  the  church 58 

Advisory  Members: 

Of  Presbytery 118 

Of  Synod 175 

Agents  : 

Of  Board  of  Publication 419-426 

To  collect  funds  for  missions 470 

To  raise  endowment  for  Seminary 545 

Ai,i<iANCE  OF  Reformed  Churches  : 

Correspondence  with  other  Churches  through 234 

Assemblj'  determines  to  enter 279,  285 

Constitution  of 276 

Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church  becomes  a  member  of...  .286,  288 

Amendments,  proposed  concerning-  woman  eldership. 84 

Atuerican  and  Foreign  Christian  Union 306 

American  Anti-Saloon  League 318 

American  Bible  Society 312 

American  Bible  Union 313 

American  Sabbath  Union 317 

American  Sunday  School  Union 310 

American  Tract  Society 311 

Amusements,  deliverances  on  worldly 328 

Anderson,  Rev.  S.  T.:  Missionary  to  Trinidad , 503 

Elected  a  Professor  in  Theolog-ical  Seminar)' 535 

Anniversary  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church 48 

Appeai,  : 

Suspension  cannot  be  removed  while  an,  is  pending 72 

S)'nod  not  final  court  of 178 

Defined 361 

Due  notice  of,  and  reasons  for,  must  be  given 361,  370 

Regular  proceeding's  in  case  of 361 

And  complaint,  distinction  between 362,  381 

Right  of,  mutual  to  prosecutor  and  defendant 364 

Prosecutor  has  not  the  right  of,  when  he  is  a  witness  in  the 

case 365 

Chang-e  of  venue  cannot  be  taken  in  case  of 365-369 

Must  be  reg-ularly  brought 369 

Stajs  action  until  decision  of  higher  court 370 

Power  to  revive  an 371 

(613) 


614  INDEX. 

Appki.i<ants  : 

Mrs.  L.  M.  Woosley   ' 74,  386 

Mr.  Henry  Craft 373 

Mrs.  Ivouisa  A.  Ward 375 

Rev.  D.  T.  Waynick 376 

Mr.  D.  E.  Wood   378 

Rev.  R.  R.  Crockett 378 

Rev.  D.  T.  Waynick,  and  others 382 

Rev.  J.  H.  Milholland 384 

Arbitration,  national  disputes  settled  by   327 

Armstrong-,  Rev.  J.  C,  missionary  to  Turkey 480 

Assembly  ;  see  General  Assemblj'. 

Assembl)''s  Board  of  Trustees  ;  see  General  Assembly's  lioard  of 
Trustees. 

Atonement  for  all  men 22 

Authors  of  books  published  by  Board 444 

Bachman,  Rev.  Geo.  O.,  Gen'l  Supt.  of  Sunday  Schools 583 

Baird,   Rev.   A.   J.  :    on    Committee    on   Union    with    Presbyterian 

Church  in  U.  S    244 

On  Couamittee  on  Union  with  Presbyterian  Church  in  U.  S.  A.  .   258 
Baptism  : 

As  a  sacrament 319 

Mode  of ; 319,  321 

Infant 58,  320 

(See  also  Infant  Baptism.) 

To  be  administered  but  once 321 

Pfesbyteries  and  Sessions  to  enforce  the  law  concerning' 321 

Roman  Catholic 321 

Baptized  persons,  watchful  care  over 58 

Beard,  Rev.  Richard  :  first  Eng-rossing-  Clerk  of  Assembh' 181 

Theory  of  Trinity  of,  commended 227 

Chairman  Committee  on  Union  with  Presb.  Church  in  U.  S.  A.   258 

Professor  in  Theolog-ical  Seminary 533 

Bell,  Rev.  C.  H.  :  member  of  Committee  on  Revision 32 

Superintendent  of  Missions 493 

Professor  in  Theological  Seminary 535 

Bell,  D.  R.,  memorial  concerning- 145 

Bergen,  Rev.  A.  G.,  Secretary  and  Treasurer  Board  of  Education. .   563 

Bernard,  Rev.  Taylor,  Acting-  Supt.  of  Sunday  Schools 583 

Bequests  : 

Mrs.  Eliza  K.  Gray 390 

John  P.  Finley    391 

J.  A.  Doherty 392 

Mrs.  R.  J.  McDaniel 539 

Bible  in  our  schools 318 

Bible  Study 444 

Biennial  sessions  of  the  Assembly 186 


INDEX.       _  615 

Bird,  Kev.    Milton :    on    Committee    on    Union    with    Presbyterian 

Church  in  U.  S 244 

Stated  Clerk  of  Assembly. 189 

Author  of  the  war  resolutions 343 

"  Bishop,"  the  word  "minister"  to  be  substituted  for 67 

Black,  Rev.  W.  H.,  deleg-ate  to  Presbyterian  Council 279 

Blake,  Rev.  T.  C.  :  Theology  Condensed,  commended 227 

Stated  Clerk  of  Assembly 189 

Financial  Agfent  and  Book  Editor 421 

Corresponding  Secretary  of  Board  of  Missions 473 

Board  of  Church  Erection  ;  see  Missions  and  Church  Erection. 
Board  of  Education  ;  see  Edticational  Society. 
Board  of  Ministerial  Relief ;  see  Ministerial  Relief,  Board  of. 
Board  of  Missions  ;  see  Missions  and  Church  Erection,  Board  of. 
Board  of  Publication  ;  see  Publication,  Board  of. 
Board  of  Trvistees  of  Assembly  ;  see  General  Assembly's  Board  of 
Trustees. 

Board  of  Visitors  to  Theological  Seminary 541 

Boaz,  Rev.  E.  C,  eligibility  of,  as  a  commissioner 184 

Bone,  Rev.  W.  P.,  Professor  in  Theological  Seminary 537 

Book  depositories,  establishment  of 400,  417,  418,  422 

Books,  list  of,  published  by  Board  of  Publication 444 

Bowers,  Rev.  E.  T.,  complaint  of 380 

Brasfield,  W.  J.,  Corresponding  Secretary  of  Board  of  Missions. . .   494 

Brown,  Rev.  J.  R.,  Editor  of  Cumberland  Presbyterian 430,  434,  440 

Buchanan  Rev.  S.  H.,  complaint  of 383 

Burney,  Rev.  S.  G.  :  member  of  Committee  on  Revision 32 

Chairman  of  Committee  on  Union  with  Presb^'terian  Church 

in  U.  S. 244 

Professor  in  Theological  Seminary 534 

Calhoun,  Rev.  Thos.,  first  Moderator  of  Assembly 181 

Called  meeting  of  Synod 164 

Candidates  : 

Qualifications  of  for  licensure 123 

Eicensure  of 123 

(See  also  probationers.) 

Card  for  systematic  beneficence 63 

Card-playing  condemned 330 

Caruthers,  R.  E.,  member  of  Committee  on  Revision 32 

Case  : 

When  not  re-opened  by  Presbytery  on  order  of  Synod 172 

Of  Rev.  T.  S.  Thompson 384 

Of  Rev.  J.  A.  Dewoody 386 

Of  Mrs.  E.  M.  Woosley 386 

Of  ordination  without  examination 386 

Cash  system  in  pu-blishing  work 400,  408,  420 

(See  also  credit  system.) 


616 .  INDEX. 

Catalogue  of  Theolog-ical  Seminary 547 

Catholic  ;  see  Roman  Catholic. 

Causes  without  process 61 

Chang-e  of  venue  cannot  be  taken  . . 365-369 

Charter  of  : 

General  Assembl)''s  Board  of  Trustees 395 

Board  of  Publication 460 

Board  of  Missions  and  Church  Erection 491 

Woman's  Board  of  Missions 512 

Cumberland  University 531,  596 

Theological  Seminary 531 

Educational  Society- 555,  556 

Board  of  Ministerial  Relief 570 

Waynesburg  College 596 

Lincoln  University 599 

Trinity  University 603 

Missouri  Valley  College 605 

Children's  Day 578 

China,  a  mission  field 510 

(See  also  Foreign  Missions.) 

Christian  Alliance 310 

Christian  Endeavor,  Permanent  Committee  on  : 

As  a  Bureau  of  Information 583 

Establishment  of 584 

Recommendations  on  work  of 584—587 

Reading  course  planned  by 584,  587 

Joint  Anniversary  Day 585 

Mission  work  in  China 588 

Church,  the  universal. 43 

Churches  (Denominations) : 

Attitude  of  Assembly  toward  other 231 

With  which  Assembly  has  conducted  correspondence 234 

Church,  Cumberland  Presbyterian  ;  see  Cumb.  Pres.  Church. 
Church  (a  particular)  : 

Defined 48 

Organizing  a    4-9' 

Covenant  on  organization  of  a 49 

When  organ  ization  of  is  forbidden 49 

A  constituent  of  Presbytery 50,  52 

Represented  in  Presbytery 50,  115 

Represented  bj-  an  elder  of  its  own  Board 51 

Boundaries  of 51 

Minister  cannot  collect  funds  in  the  bounds  of 52. 

Dissolution  of 52,  158 

Welfare  of  considered  by  Presbytery S3,  148. 

Relation  of  a  mission  to  the  Board 53- 

Legitimate,  determined  by  Assembly 53> 


JX/)/:X.  617 

Chukch  : — Continued. 

Title  to  property  of 54 

(See  also  Church  Propert)-.) 

Members  of .  .  .      58 

(See  also  Members.) 

Presbj'tery  has  power  over 147 

Presbj'tery  controls  relation  between  minister  and 148 

Relation  of  to  Committee  on  Pastorates  and  Supplies 150 

Grouping-  of  by  Presbytery 153 

Church  Courts  : 

Defined 99 

Moderators  of 101 

Clerks  of 102 

Treasurers  of   105 

Records  of  cannot  be  chang^ed  after  adjournment 104 

Expunging-  matter  f rotn  records  of 105 

Appeal  stays  action  until  decision  of  hig-her 370 

New  witnesses  introduced  in  cases  in 371 

Can  hear  cases  in  absence  of  the  accused 371 

To  judg-e  of  repentance  of  offender,  and  restore  for  sufficient 

reason 381 

Church  Erection  : 

Consolidation  of  Board  of,  and  Board  of  Missions 490,  498 

Work  of 496 

Ag-ents  for 497 

Board  of,  established 497 

Church  g-overnment,  in  the  New  Testament 65 

Church  members  ;  see  Members. 

Church  of  Christ  in  Japan  ;  see  United  Church  of  Christ. 

Church  officers 65 

Church  paper  ;  &ee  Cuviber/aud  Presbyterian,  The. 

Church  Property: 

Title  to 54 

Committees  on ^ 56 

Church  Session  ;  see  Session. 

"  Circular  Letter,"  of  Cumberland  Presbytery 2 

Citation  by  coinmission 7    iQ 

City  missions 477^  498 

Clagett,  Mrs.  P.  L.,  eligibility  of,  as  a  commissioner 82 

CtERK  OF  Church  Court  : 

Duties  of 102 

Inefficient,  to  be  removed 103 

In  case  of  death  of 193 

Clerk  of  Assembly  ;  see  "  General  Assembly  "  and  "  Stated  Clerk." 

Clerk  of  Presbytery  ;  see  Presbytery. 

Clerk  of  Session  ;  see  Session. 

Clerk  of  S3'nod  ;  see  Synod. 


618  INDEX. 

COLLEGKS : 

Day  of  prayer  for 319 

To  co-operate  with  Theolog-ical  Seminar3'    550 

COIvLEGES   AND   UNIVERSITIES,    CHARTERS   OF  : 

Cumberland  University 5%,  531 

Waynesburg-  College 596 

Lincoln  University 599 

Trinity  University. 603 

Missouri  Valley  Colleg^e 60S 

Colonization  Society 310 

Colored  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church  ;  see  Cumberland  Pres- 
byterian Church,  Colored. 

Colored  People:    (See  also  Cumb.  Pres.  Church,  Colored.) 

Moral  and  relig^ious  training-  of 350 

Publication  of  books  for 417 

Columbian  Exposition,  opening-  of  on  Sabbath 327 

Commission  : 

Of  Kentucky'  Synod 7-13 

Citation  by  a 7,  10 

Ordination  by  a 140 

Commissioners  : 

Elders,  not  members  of  Presbytery,  as 96,  159 

Must  produce  evidence  of  appointments 183 

Cases  of  eligibility  of 183 

Not  restricted  to  pastors 184 

Should  remain  throug-h  the  Assembly 184 

Travel  on  Sabbath  bj',  is  immoral 184,  326 

Are  accountable  to  their  Presb^-teries 184 

Change  of  votes  by 185 

Free  entertainment  for 224 

Seating  of,  settles  question  of  election 383 

Commissioners'  Fund  : 

Established 208 

Plan  for,  abandoned 211 

Plans  for  renewed 212-217 

(See  al.so  Mileag-e.) 

Committee  : 

On  Revision 32 

(See  also  Confession  of  Faith.) 

To  Prepare  Index  to  Confession 41 

On  Pastorates  and  Supplies 149,  151 

(See  also  Pastorates  and  Supplies.) 

Executive  of  Cumberland  Presbj'terian  Historical  Society 338 

Permanent  Judiciary 386 

(See  also  Permanent  Judiciary  Committee.) 
On  Publication  ;  see  Publication. 
Permanent,  on  Sunday  Schools ;  see  Sunday  Schools. 


INDEX.  619 

■Committee  : — Continued. 

Permanent,  on  Christian   Endeavor  ;  see  Christian   Endeavor. 
Permanent,  on  Systematic  Beneficence ;  see  Systematic  Benef- 
icence. 
Compact  : 

At  organization  of  Cumberland  Presbytery 1,  15 

At  establishment  of  Theolog^ical  Seminary 522 

Complaint  : 

Ag-ainst  Synod  of  Missouri  in  electing  Moderator 101 

Defined 362 

And  appeal,  distinction  between 362,  381 

Of  Rev.  E.  T.  Bowers 380 

Of  Rev.  S.  H,  Buchanan 383 

'Confession  of  Faith  : 

Revision  of  Westminster,  by  Cumberland  Synod 23 

Preface  to  the  edition  of  1814   24 

Idea  of  fatality  eliminated  from. 24 

May  be  adhered  to 33 

Revision  of  1883 25 

No  change  of  doctrine  in 27 

Distribution  of  copies  of 33 

Committee  on ■ 32 

Votes  of  Presbyteries  on 34 

Memorials  on   37 

Memorial  from  McMinnville  Presbytery  on,  adopted. 40 

Last  action  on 40 

Indexes  to 41 

Must  be  adopted  to  become  a  minister 67,  120 

Congregation  ;  see  Church  (a  particular). 

Consensus  Presbyterian  Creed 289 

Constitution  : 

Of  Alliance  of  Reformed  Churches   276 

Synods  see  that  Presbj'teries  obej' 176 

Of  Board  of  Publication  at  Louisville 398 

Of  Board  of  Foreign  and  Domestic  Missions. . .  ; 468,  469 

Of  Woman's  Board  of  Missions 514 

■Contingent  Tax  of  Genekai^  Assembly  : 

Minutes  not  withheld  for  non-payment  of • 198 

Plan  of  1847  for 207 

Plan  of  1849  for 207 

(See  also  Commissioners'  Fund.) 

Right  to  assess 207 

Based  on  number  of  ministers 208,  211,  218 

Based  on  number  of  communicants 212 

Based  on  number  of  churches 219 

Levied  on  Presbyteries,  not  preachers 219 

Not  to  be  compromised  or  remitted  by  Clerk 220 


620  INDEX. 

Contingent  Tax  of  General  Assembly  :  — Continued. 

Only  Assembly  can  compromise  or  remit 22(y 

Cases  of  compromise  of 221 

Reimbursement  from 222 

Clerk  to  report  Presbyteries  delinquent  in 222 

Fiscal  year,  for 222 

Convention  of  Colored  Ministers 351 

CO-OPEKATION  : 

By  Assembl)'  in  federation 292 

(See  also  Federation.) 

By  Assembly  in  home  mission  work 297 

(See  also  Home  Missions.) 

Correspondence : 

Assembly  conducts  fraternal 233 

List  of  Churches  in 234 

Throug-h  fraternal  deleg-ates 235 

Corresponding'  Secretaries  of  Boards  ;  see  under  respective  Boards. 

Cossitt,  Rev.  F.  R.,  first  Stated  Clerk  of  Assembly 181,  189 

Council  : 

Superseding-  (old)  Cumberland  Presbytery 11-15 

Doctrine  of  fatality  excepted  by 1+ 

Course  of  Study  for  probationers 130 

Court ;  see  Church  Court. 

Court,  Synod  not  final  in  appeal 178 

Covenant:  form  of  for 

Organization  of  particular  church 49 

Admission  of  church  members 58 

Licensure  of  candidate 123 

Ordination  of  licentiate 138 

Craft,  Henry,  appeal  of 373 

Credit  system  in  publishing-  work 401 

(See  also  Cash  System.) 

Crisman,  Rev.  E.  B.,  Superintendent  of  Missions 493 

Crockett,  Rev.  R.  R.,  appeal  of 378 

Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church  : 

Organization  of 1 

Founders  of 1 

Duties  of  those  belonging-  to 43 

Name  of ^^ 

Assembly  refused  to  change  name  of 46 

Anniversary  of 48 

Relation  to  Presbyterian  Church 235,  237,  239 

Relation  to  Cumberland  Presb3-terian  Church,  Colored.. 352,  353,  359 

Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,  Colored: 

Establishment  of •   3c?l 

First  Synod  of 353 

Memorial  for  union  of  with  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church..  354 


INDEX.  021 

CUMBERI.AND  Presbyterian  Church,  Coi^ored  :— Continued. 

Educational  facilities  for 355 

A  school  for 355^  35y 

Theolog-ical  instruction  in 357,  353 

Statistics  of  printed  in  Minutes 359 

Cumberland  Presbyterian  Historical  Society 336 

Cumberland  Presbyterian,  The: 

Reasons  for  establishment  of   ■ 427 

A  consolidation  of  other  papers 429 

Cost  of  establishment  of 43I 

Reg-ulations  concerning- 432 

Opposition  to 433,  435-439 

Editors  of 434,  440,  441,  442 

(See  also  Editors.) 

Cumberland  Presbytery  (Old)  : 

Fornaed 6 

Irregularities  in 7    g 

Superseded  by  Council H 

(See  Council.) 

Cumberland  Presbytery  : 

Org'anization  of \ 

An  independent  Presbytery 1,  16,  44 

Requirements  of  probationers  by 2 

Doctrine  of  fatality  excepted  by 2 

Examinations  hy 2 

Compact  at  organization  of 1,  IS 

Succeeded  by  Cumberland  Synod 19 

Attempts  at  organic  union  \yy 235 

Cumberland  Synod : 

Org-anization  of 19    21 

Doctrines  and  discipline  as  approved  by 21 

Revision  of  Westminster  Confession  by 23 

(See  also  Confession  of  Faith.) 

Division  of I79 

Attempts  at  organic  union  by. 235 

Cumberland  University,  charter  of 531^  595 

Dancing-  condemned 329,  330 

Darby,  Rev.  W.  J.  :  Member  of  Committee  on  Revision 32 

General  Manager  of  Board  of  Publication 426 

Elected  a  Professor  in  Theological  Seminary 536 

Secretary  and  Treasurer  of  Educational  Society 564 

Corresponding  Secretary  of  Ministerial  Relief 574 

Darnall,  Rev.  W.  H..  Professor  in  Theological  Seminary 534 

Day  of  prayer  for  colleges 319 

Deacons  : 

Cannot  be  elected  for  limited  period 89 

Rotation  in  office  of 90 


622  IXDEX. 

Deacons  : — Continued. 

Duties  of 96 

Must  keep  a  record. 97 

Qualifications  for  office  of 97 

Process  against  by  Session    Ill 

Session  may  retire 113 

Death  of  Clerk  of  Church  court,  in  case  of 193 

Deceased  ministers,  roll  of   73,  226 

Delinquent  members  of  Synod 162 

Demission  of  office  bj'  a  minister 72 

Deposed  minister,  restoring-  a 71 

Depositories  ;  see  Book  Depositories. 

DeWitt,  Rev.  M.  B.  :   Soliciting  Agent  and  Editor 421 

General  Superintendent  of  Sunday  Schools 581,  582 

Dewoody,  Rev.  J.  A.,  case  of 143,  173,  386 

Directory  of  ministers 73,  226 

Dismission  of  church  members,  letters  of 60 

Dissent,  defined 362 

Dissolution  : 

Of  a  particular  church 52 

Of  a  Session 114 

Doherty,  J.  A.,  bequest  of 392 

Dunaway,  W.  E.,  Publishing  Agent 419,  423 

Editoks  of  Cumbeki,and  Presbyterian: 

Rev.  J.  R.  Brown 430,  434,  440 

Rev.  D.  M.  Harris 440,  441 

Rev.  J.  M.  Howard 440,  441 

Rev.  Ira  Landrith , 441 

Prof.  Iv.  L.  Rice 442 

Education  :  (See  also  Educational  Society.) 

In  Colored  Church,  facilities  for 355 

(See  also  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,  Colored.) 

Of  probationers.  Presbytery  must  see  to 561 

Educational  Society  : 

Clerks  of  Presb^'teries  to  report  money  to 118 

To  extend  no  aid  to  probationers  who  use  tobacco 127 

Early  efforts  at  organization  of 552 

Incorporation  of 553,  ;>58 

Charter  of'. 5='^,  556 

Employed  agent  for  endowment  of  Seniinar3- 557 

Established  school  for  Colored  Church 557 

Gift  policy  of :   558 

Aided  in  supporting  facult_y  of  Seminary 558 

As  a  channel  of  information 560 

Loan  policy  of 562 

Secretaries  and  Treasurers  of 562-564 

Elder  ;  see  Ruling  Elder. 

/ 


INDEX,  623 

Election,  a  mysterious  doctrine.  . 22 

Elk  Presbyterj',  org-auization  of 19 

Engrossing  Clerks  of  Generai,  Assembly  : 

List  of 203 

Permanent 203 

Entertainment  free,  for  commissioners  only 224 

Eternal  reprobates 22 

Evang-elical  Lutheran  Church,  attempt  at  org-anic  union  with 264 

Ewing-,  Rev.  Finis,  a  founder  of  the  Cumb.  Pres.  Church 1,  2 

Excommunication,  of  a  deposed  minister 110 

Extraordinary  cases,  in  Cumberland  Presb^'tery  (old)    8 

Faculty  of  Theolog-ical  Seminary 533-539 

(See  also  Theological  Seminary.) 

Family  and  secret  worship. • 323 

Farr,  Rev.  F.  K.,  Professor  in  Theological  Seminary    537 

FAT.A.LITV  : 

Doctrine  of,  excepted  by  Cumberland  Presbytery  (old) 2 

Doctrine  of,  excepted  "by  the  Council 14 

Federation  : 

Cooperation  in  by  Assemblj' 292 

Plan  of 294 

Churches  in  proposed  plan 294 

Financial  Agents  for  Theological  Seminary 545 

Finley,  John  P.,  bequest  of 391 

Fiscal  year  of  Assembly 222 

Foreign  and  Domestic  Missions,  Board  of  ;  see  Missions,  Board  of. 
Foreign   Missions:     (See   also   "Missions"    and    "Missions    and 
Church  Erection,  Board  of.") 

First  society  for  promotion  of,  organized 463 

Offerings  for,  sent  to  American  Board 467,  472 

First  chartered  board  for 467 

Work  of,  in  Liberia,  Africa '.  . .   478 

Work  of,  in  Turkey    480 

Work  of,  planned  in  1870 499 

Selection  of  a  field  for 500 

Island  of  Trinidad  selected  as  a  field  for 502 

Rev.  S.  T.  Anderson  sent  out  and  recalled 503 

Japan  selected  as  a  field  for 504 

Revs.  J.  B.  and  A.  D.  Hail  sent  out 504 

Statistical  table  of  membership  in  Japan 506 

List  of  missionaries  sent  to  Japan 506 

United  Church  of  Christ  in  Japan 506 

Mexico  selected  as  a  field  for 509 

List  of  missionaries  sent  to  Mexico 510 

China  selected  as  a  field  for 510 

"Forthcoming  letter,"  minister  cannot  be  received  on  faith  of  ...  .    120 
Foster,  Rev.  R.  V.,  Professor  in  Theological  Seminary 534 


624  INDEX. 

Founders  of  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church 1 

Fraudulent  membership  in  Presbytery 120 

Frizzell,  John  :  Member  of  Committee  on  Revision 32 

Stated  Clerk  of  Assembly 189 

Gaut,  JohnM. :   Corresponding- Secretary  of  Board  of  Publication.   423 

General  Manager  of  Board  of  Publication 427 

To  report  on  Permanent  Judiciary  Committee 387 

Gcin  Lesson  Leaf. 443 

Gexekal  Assembia'  : 

Formation  of. ...  ' 25,   179 

Chang-es  in  form  of  g-overnment  by 25 

Determined  leg^itimate  congreg^ation 53 

Card  of,  for  systematic  beneficence 63 

Ruling  elder  as  Moderator  of 93 

Moderator  of 101 

Should  inquire  into  ordinations 136 

Creates  Sj'nods   161 

Determines  synodical  boundaries    161 

Synod  obedient  to 176 

Defined 179 

Basis  of  representation  in 180,  183 

First  meeting  of 180 

First  officers  of 181 

Table  showing  meeting^s  of 182 

Moderators  of 182 

Clerks  of 182,  189 

(See  also  Stated  Clerk.) 

Cominissiotiers  to 183 

(See  also  Commissioners.) 

Rlig-ibility  of  certain  ones  as  commissioners  to 183 

Advisory  members  of 185 

Quorum  of 185 

Must  meet  as  often  as  once  in  two  years 185 

Memorials  on  biennial  sessions  of 186 

Provision  for  failure  to  meet  at  appointed  time 187 

To  lengfthen  time  of  sessions 188 

Moderator  of,  appoints  standing-  committees 188 

Moderator  of,  appoints  pro  tempore  Clerk 189,  190 

Fng-rossing-  Clerk  of.. 203 

List  of  Engrossing-  Clerks  of 203 

Permanent  Eng-rossing'-  Clerk  of 203 

Temporary  Clerks  of 204 

Treasurer  of 205 

(See  also  Treasurer  of  Assembly.) 

Has  power  to  compromise  or  remit  conting-ent  tax 220 

Attitude  of,  toward  other  Churches 231 


INDEX.  625 

Generai,  Assembly  : — Continued. 

Conducts  fraternal  correspondence 233 

(See  also  Correspondence.) 

Makes  attempts  at  org^anic  union. 235 

(See  also  Org'anic  Union.) 

Enters  Alliance  of  Reformed  Churches 276 

(See  also  Alliance.) 

And  a  Consensus  Presbyterian  Creed    289 

And  Cooperation  in  Federation 292 

And  Cooperation  in  Home  Mission  Work 297 

Deliverances  of,  re^ardini,^  Roman  Catholic  Church..    . .    305 

Attitude  of,  toward  other  reliifious  or^^-anizations 310 

Celebration  of  the  Lord's  Supper  at 323 

Question  of  election  settled  when  commissioner  is  seated  by. . .   383 

Accepts  the  Doherty  bequest 394 

Advises  union  with  United  Church  of  Christ  in  Japan 507 

Confirms  appointments  of  Trustees  of  Cumb.  University.  .  .520,  528 

Relation  of,  to  Theolog-ical  Seminary 517,  519,  522,  527 

'Genekal  Assembly's  Board  of  Trustees: 

To  look  after  property  in  Indian  Territory 57 

Incorporation  of 389 

Bequests  to  be  made  to 390 

Report  of,  on  Mrs.  Eliza  K.  Gray  litigation 390 

Report  of,  on  Brown  bequest 390 

Resignation  of  and  new  appointment  in  1860 390 

Resig^nation  of  and  new  appointment  in  1898 391 

Report  of,  on  Finley  bequest 391 

Report  of,  on  Doherty  bequest 392 

Text  of  Doherty  bequest 393 

Charter  of : 395 

General  Superintendents  of  Sunday  Schools 580 

Gill,  Rev.  J.  M.,  President  Assembly's  Board  of  Trustees...  .  .• 391 

Goodpasture,  A.  H.,  memorial  concerning- 145 

Gray,  Mrs.  Eliza  K.,  bequest  of 390 

Grider,  Rev.  J.  S.,  Financial  Agent  of  Theological  Seminary 546 

Group:.ng  of  Churches  : 

Presbyteries  instructed  to  effect 154 

Through  Committee  on  Pastorates  and  Supplies 154 

When  to  be  effected 154 

Sessions  to  act  jointly  in 155 

Guilty,  accused  on  trial  must  say  whether  he  is 372 

Hail,  Rev.  A.  D.,  missionary  to  Japan 504,  506 

Elected  a  Professor  in  Theolog-ical  Seminary 537 

Hail,  Rev.  J.  B.,  missionary  to  Japan 504,  506 

Hale  Reference  'Li'ihra.ry 551 

Harris,  Rev.  D.  M.,  Editor  of  Cumberland  Presbyterian 440,  441 

Henrys  Rev.  J.  R.,  Secretary  and  Treasurer 562 

40 


626  •  INDEX. 

Hinds,  J.  I.  D.,  on  Committee  to  Index  Confession, 41 

On  Permanent  Committee  on  Sunday  Schools 576 

Historical  Society  ;  see  Cumberland  Presb.  Historical  Society. 
Historical  Society  ;  see  Presbj'terian  Historical  Society. 

Holy  Spirit  operates  on  the  world 22 

Home  Missions  : 

(See  also   "Missions"    and   "Missions   and   Church    Erection, 
Board  of.") 

Co-operation  in  by  Assembly 297 

Plan  of  co-operation  in 297 

Exceptions  to  plan  by  certain  Presbyteries 298 

Plan  of  co-operation  in,  rescinded  by  Assembly 298 

Plan  of  co-operation  in,  interpreted 300,  304 

Plan  of  co-operation  in,  adopted  as  interpreted 304 

Early  work  of 461 

A  society  for  promotion  of,  in  prospect 465 

Evang-elistic  work  of 475 

In  cities.  .  . 477,  498 

Among-  the  Indians 477,  499 

Various  divisions  comprised  under 496 

Church  erection,  work  of 4% 

(See  also  Church  Erection.) 

Evang-elistic  work  of 498 

Synodical  work  of 499 

Amonj,'-  the  colored  people 499 

Howard,  Rev.  J.  M.,  Editor  of  Cumberland  Presbyterian 440,  441 

Hubbert,  Rev.  J.  M.,  Stated  Clerk  of  As.sembly 190,  192 

Professor  in  Theological  Seminary 536 

On  Committee  to  Index  Confession 41 

Hurst,  T.  M. ,  Agent  Board  of  Publication 423 

Incorporation  ok : 

Assembly's  Board  of  Trustees 389 

Board  of  Publication 4()6 

Board  of  Foreign  and  Domestic  Missions  at  Lebanon,  Tenn.  .  .   467 

Board  of  Foreign  and  Domestic  Missions  at  Alton,  111 482 

Board  of  Missions  at  St.  Eouis,  Mo ,   489 

Board  of  Missions  and  Church  Erection 490 

Educational  Society 553 

Board  of  Ministerial  Relief 569 

Independent  Presbytery,  Cumberland  Presbytery  an 1,  16,  44 

Indexes  to  Confession  of  Faith 41 

Indians,  work  among 477,  499 

Indian  Territory,  church  property  in 57 

Inefficient  Clerks  to  be  removed 103 

Infant  Baptism  : 

Duties  concerning 58,  320- 

Those  receiving,  not  to  be  baptized  again 321 


INDEX.  627 

Infants,  all  who  die  are  saved 22 

Installation  of  Pastors  : 

Presbyteries  to  require 156 

When  to  be  effected 157 

Institutions  of  learning  ;  see  CoUeg^es. 

Instructions,  Synod  may  remand  with 174 

In  transitu,  a  minister ." 69 

Irregularities  in  Cumberland  Presbytery  (old) 7,  8 

Japan,  a  mission  field 504 

(See  also  Foreign  Missions.) 

Jones,  Rev.  J.  H.  W.,  eligibility  of,  as  a  commissioner 183 

Judiciary  Committee  ;  see  Permanent  Judiciary  Committee. 
Jurisdiction  ;  see  Original  Jurisdiction. 

Kentucky,  Synod  of 3,  7 

(See  also  Commission. ) 
King.  Rev.   Samuel,   a  founder   of  the   Cumberland  Presbyterian 

Church 1 

King,  Rev.  S.  Finis,  Corresponding  Secretary 494 

Kirkpatrick,  Rev.  J.  D.  :  Professor  in  Theolog'-ical  Seminary 534 

Financial  Agent  of  Theological  Seminary S4S 

Landrith,  Rev.  Ira,  Editor  Cumberland  Presbyterian 441 

Larissa  Church,  case  of 378 

Laughlin,  Rev.  J.  W. ,  Superintendent  of  Missions 494 

Law  stated  concerning  appeals,  complaints,  etc 361 

La^-  preachers,  licensure  of 128 

Letter,  circular,  by  Cumberland  Presbytery 2 

Letter  of  Dismission  : 

Member  with 60 

Minister  with 60,  69,  70 

Minister  cannot  be  received  on  "faith  of  forthcoming" 120 

Library  : 

Murdock 550 

Hale  Reference 551 

License,  restored  by  what  Presbytery  ? 127 

Licensure: 

By  Cumberland  Presbytery 6,  7 

Qualifications  for 123 

Of  candidates. 123 

Of  lay  preachers 128 

Licentiate  : 

May  a,  perform  marriage  ceremony  ? 125 

Transfer  of  without  a  letter 127 

License  of,  restored  by  what  Presbytery  ? 127 

Must  pass  a  constitutional  examination 134 

(See  also  Probationers.) 

Lincoln,  Abraham,  assassination  of 347 

Lincoln  University,  charter  of 599 


628  INDEX. 

List  of  : 

Retired  members 61 

Books  published  by  Board 444 

■  City  missions  aided  hy  Board 498 

Missionaries  to  Japan. 506 

Missionaries  to  Mexico 510 

Missionaries  to  China 511 

L/Og^an  Presbytery,  organization  of 19 

Log-an,  Rev.  J.  B.,  Superintendent  of  Missions 493 

Lord's  Day  ;  see  Sabbath. 
Lord's  Supper  : 

A  sacrament 319 

At  least  once  a  quarter 322 

Pure  "  fruit  (>f  the  vine  "  to  be  used  at. 323 

At  Assembly 323 

Lotteries  condemned 328 

Madisonville,  Ky.,  Session  of 109 

Manton,  Rev.  Charles,  Temporary  Clerk.    204 

Marriage  : 

Of  probationers.    127 

Ceremony,  licentiates  perform 125 

To  sister  of  deceased  wife 339 

Mathews,  Rev.  G.  D.,  communication  from 288 

McAdow,  Rev.  Samuel,  a  founder  of  the  Cumb.  Pres.  Church 1 

McDaniel,  Mrs.  R.  J.,  bequest  of 539 

McDonnold,  Rev.   B.   W.  :    Acted  with   Committee  on   Union  with 

Presbyterian  Church  in  United  States 246 

Professor  in  Theological  Seminary 534 

McGready,  Rev.  James,  a  minister  in  the  revival  of  1800 3 

McLean,  Rev.  Ephraim,  a  member  of  Cumberland  Presbj'ter^- 2 

McMinnville  Presb^'tery,  memorial  from,  on  revision,  adopted 40 

McPherson,  Rev.  C.  G.,  Stated  Clerk  of  Assembly 189 

Meeting,  called,  of  Synod 164 

Members  (of  the  church)  : 

Especial  duty  of 43 

Organization  of  congregation  among  disaffected,  forbidden... .     49 

Of  a  particular  church,  defined 58 

Admission  of,  into  a  particular  church 58 

Jurisdiction  over 60,  62,  110 

Letters  of,  dismission  of 60 

Judgment  rendered  against  without  process 61 

Names  of  retired 61 

Right  of,  to  withdraw 62 

Suspended 62,  63 

Should  give  to  the  support  of  the  church 63 

When  may  Session  retire  names  of  ? Ill 

"Presbyter^'  cannot  deprive,  of  membership 158 

_Duty  of,  toward  the  Sabbath 325 


INDEX.  G29 

Members  of  Sj'iiod  ;   see  S^-iiod. 

Memorial  : 

On  Revision 37 

Of  McMinnville  Presbytery,  adopted 40 

Of  Nolin  Presbytery 76 

Concerning-  Rev.  J.  A.  Dewoodj' 143 

Concerning-  A.  H.  Goodpasture  and  D.  R.  Bell 145 

Concerning-  Plan  of  Co-operation 298 

On  union  of  Cumberland  Presbj-terian  Church,  Colored,  with 

Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church 354 

Of  Tehuacana  Presb3'tery  on  chang-e  of  venue 365 

Of  Rev.  and  Mrs.  F.  C.  Usher 372 

Of  Rev.  Harrison  Whitson 373 

Methodist  Protestant  Church,  attempt  at  org-anic  union  with 268 

Mexico  a  mission  field 509 

(See  also  Foreign  Missions.) 

Mileage  :   (See  also  Commissioners'  Fund.) 

Report  of  Committee  on 214 

Cost  of,  for  Assembly 217 

Milholland,  Rev.  J.  H.,  appeal  of 384 

Miller,   Rev.    A.    B.,   on   Committee    on    Union   with    Presbyterian 

Church  in  U.  S.  A 258 

Miller,  Rev.  J.  H.:  Superintendent  of  Board  of  Missions 494 

Secretary  of  Ministerial  Relief 573 

Minister  : 

Under  suspension  cannot  organize  a  cong-reg-ation 50 

Cannot  collect  funds  in  other  congregations  than  his  own 52 

Office  of 66 

Titles  of 67 

Adoption  of  Confession  necessary 67,  120 

Directed  b}'  Presbytery 68.  146 

In  the  field  of  another 68 

Out  of  the  bounds  of  his  own  Presbytery     68 

Jurisdiction  over  a  dismissed 69,  70 

In  tra7tsiiu,  relation  to  Synod 69 

Must  attend  Synod 70.   162 

With  a  letter  of  dismission 69 

Suspended,  relation  to  Presbj'tery 70 

Restoring  a  suspended  or  deposed   71 

May  demit  his  office 72 

Right  of,  to  withdraw 72 

Directory  of 73,  226 

Roll  of  deceased 73,  226 

Woman  mdij  not  be  ordained  to  office  of 73 

As  Moderator  of  Session 106 

Session  maj-  hold  meeting  in  absence  of 110 

May  Presb^'tery  excommunicate  a  deposed  ?.. 110- 


630  INDEX. 

Minister  : — Continued. 

Transfer  of  membership  of 120 

Fratidulent  membership  of 120 

Reception  of,  on  "  faith  of  forthcoming-  letter" 120 

To  be  dealt  with  b3^  Presbytery  for  dereliction  of  duty 146 

Required  to  perform  duty  assig-ned  hy  Presbj'tery .    147 

Name  of,  dropped  for  disobedience 147 

Relation  between,  and  church  controlled  by  Presbytery 148 

Installation  of,  as  pastor 155 

When  to  be  installed 157 

Presbytery  cannot  examine  ordained,  coming-  by  letter 158 

Transfer  of  membership  of,  b}'  Synod 168 

In  Synod  must  give  name  of  his  Presbytery 170 

To  preach  on  Sabbath  observance 325 

Should  set  a  good  example  concerning-  Sabbath 326 

Ministerial  Rewef,  Board  of  : 

Work  before  org-anization  of 564 

As  Committee  on  Sustentation 565 

Organization  of 568 

Incorporation  of 569 

Charter  of 570 

Thornton  Home  Department  of 572 

Corresponding  Secretaries  of 573 

Ministry,  literary  qualifications  for 23,  130 

Missionary  Record. 494 

Missions  : 

(See  also  "  Home  Missions,"   "Foreign  Missions,"   and  "Mis- 
sions and  Church  Erection,  Board  of.") 

Early  work  of 461 

Sermons  to  be  delivered  upon 467,  475 

Concert  of  prayer  for 474 

Special  meetings  in  interest  of 474 

Missions,  Board  of ;  see  Missions  and  Church  Erection,  Board  of. 

Missions  and  Church  Erection,  Board  ok  : 

(See  also  "  Missions"  "Home  Missions,"  "  Foreign  Missions," 
and  "  Church  Erection.") 

Relation  of,  to  mission  church 53 

First  unincorporated  board  organized 463 

Board  of  Foreign  and  Domestic,  organized 467 

Constitution  of  first  incorporated  board  of 468,  469 

At  Lebanon,  Tenn. 470-481 

Agents  to  collect  funds  for 470 

Auxiliary  to  American  Board  of  Commissioners 472 

Corresponding  .secretaries  of 472,  473,  493 

Ciiniberlayid  Presbyterian  Missionary  published  by 474 

At  Alton,  111 481-483 

Incorporation  of 482,  489,  490 


INDEX.  631 

Missions  and  Church  Erection,  Board  of  : — Continued. 

On  the  Pacific  coast 483 

Consolidation  of  the  three  boards 485 

At  St.  Louis,  Mo 486 

And  Board  of  Church  Erection,  consolidation  of 490,  498 

Charter  of 491 

Superintendents  of 493 

Missionaries  sent  to  Japan 506 

Missionaries  sent  to  Mexico 510 

Missionaries  sent  to  China 511 

Missouri  Synod,  complaint  ag-ainst,  in  election  of  Moderator 101 

Missouri  Valley  Colleg-e,  charter  of 605 

Mitchell,  Rev.  J.   B.,  on  Committee  on   Union   with   Presbyterian 

Church,  U.  S.  A 258 

Moderator  : 

Ruling  elder  elected  as,  of  Assembly 93 

Of  Church  court 101 

Of  church  Session 106 

Of  Synod 166 

The  right  of,  to  vote 375 

Mortuary  list  of  ministers 73,  226 

Murdock  Eibrary 550 

Name,  dropped  from  roll  of  Presbytery  by  order  of  Sj'nod 173 

Name  of  "  Cumberl.-vnd  :  " 

How  adopted 44 

Assembly  refused  to  change 46 

National  Reform  Association 317 

National  Temperance  Convention 312,  316 

National  Temperance  Societj'. 317 

Nolin  Presbytery,  memorials  of 74,  76 

Notice  of  an  appeal  must  be  given 361,  370 

Officers,  church 65 

Oklahoma  Presbytery,  organization  of 114 

Ordination  : 

Distinction  between  licensure  and 129 

Trials  for 130 

Licentiates  must  pass  an  examination  before 134,  386 

Assembly  should  inquire  into 136 

Cases  of  irregular 138 

Service  at 138 

By  commission 140 

Prayer  and  charge  in,  must  not  be  omitted 141 

On  the  Sabbath  day 141 

Organic  Union  : 

Attempts   at,    by    Cumberland    Presbytery    and    Cumberland 

Synod 235 

Attitude  of  Assembly  toward 237 


632  INDEX. 

Organic  Union  : — Contintied. 

Attempt  at,  with  Presbyterian  Church  in  U.  S 237 

Attempt  at,  with  Presbyterian  Church  in  U.  S.  A 253 

Attempt  at,  with  Evang-elical  Lutheran  Church 264 

Attempt  at,  with  Methodist  Protestant  Church 268 

Organization  of  : 

Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church 1 

Cumberland  Presbytery 1 

A  particular  church 49 

A  particular  church,  when  forbidden 49 

Originax,  Jurisdiction  : 

Over  church  members 60,  62,  110 

Over  a  dismissed  minister 69 

Our  Lambs 443 

Pan-Presbyterian  Alliance;  see  Alliance. 

Particular  church  ;  see  Church,  a  particular. 

"  Parties  to  the  proceeding's,"  defined. . .  .  • 363 

Pastor ;  see  Minister. 

Pastoral  relation,  results  of 156 

Pastorates  and  Supplies,  Committee  on  : 

To  be  appointed,  by  Presbytery 149,  151 

Relation  of  church  and  Session  to 150 

Correspondence  with  churches  through 153 

Virtually  a  commission 153 

Patton,  Geo.  E.,  Corresponding-  Secretary  of  Board  of  Missions.  .  .  .   493 

Permanent    Committee    on    Christian     Endeavor ;    see    Christian 
Endeavor. 

Permanent  Committee  on  Sunday  Schools ;  see  Sunday  Schools. 

Permanent  Committee  on  Systematic  Beneficence  ;   see  Systematic 
Beneficence. 

Permanent  Judiciary  Committee  : 

Created 386 

Not  required  to  report 387 

Paper  concerning 387 

Pi,an  : 

Of  Federation 294 

(See  also  Federation.) 

Of  Cooperation  in  Home  Mission  work 297 

(See  also  Home  Missions.) 
For  establishment  of  Theological  Seminary 522 

Poindexter,  Rev.  J.  W.  :  On  Committee  on  Revision 32 

On  Committee  on  Union  with  Presbyterian  Church  in  U.  S.  .  .  .   244 

Power  of  General  Assemblj-;  see  General  Assembly. 

Power  of  Presbytery:    (See  also  Presbytery.) 

In  general -  .      118 

To  receive  ministers 119 

To  receive  and  license  probationers , 122 


hXDEX.  638 

Power  of  Presbytery  : — Continued. 

To  license  lay  preachers 128 

To  ordain  probationers 10,  130 

To  decide  appeals  and  complaints 141 

To  judg^e  ministers 141 

To  censure  a  minister 143,  145 

To  remove  a  suspension 143 

To  decide  questions  of  doctrine 146 

Over  ministers 146 

To  deal  with  ministers  for  dereliction  of  duty 146 

To  drop  name  of  minister  from  roll  for  disobedience 147 

Over  churches 147 

To  send  committees  to  confer  with  Sessions 148 

To  order  whatever  pertains  to  welfare  of  its  churches. 148 

To  control  relation  between  ministers  and  churches 148 

To  install  pastors 156 

To  unite  or  divide  churches 158 

To  allow  an  elder,  not  elected,  to  represent  his  Session 158 

To  elect  to  positions  elders  who  are  not  members   159 

To  deal  with  delinquent  members  of  Synod 162 

To  call  on  Sessions  who  are  delinquent  to  Sj'nod 162 

To  enforce  attendance  of  members  on  Synod 163 

To  judge  of  repentance  of  offender  and  restore  for  a  sufficient 

reason 381 

Power  of  Session  ;   see  Session. 

Power  of  Synod  ;  see  Synod. 

Predestination,  a  mj'sterious  doctrine 2,  22 

Preface  to  Confession  as  adopted  b^'  Cumberland  Synod 24 

Presbyterian  Alliance  ;  see  Alliance. 

Presbyterian  Church  in  U.  S.,  attempt  at  organic  union  with 237 

Presb.  Church  in  U.  S.  A.,  attempts  at  organic  union  with 236,  253 

Presbyterian  Historical  Society 335 

Presbytery  :     (See  also  Powers  of  Presbytery.) 
Cumberland  ;  see  Cumberland  Presbj-tery. 

Particular  church  a  constituent  of 50,  52 

Particular  church  represented  in SO,  115 

Congregational  boundaries  in  relation  to 51 

Dissolution  of  a  particular  church  by 52 

Considers  welfare  of  particular  churches 53 

Cannot  deprive  individuals  of  church  membership 62 

Directs  its  ministers 68 

Has  jurisdiction  over  a  dismissed  minister 69.  70 

Relation  of  a  suspended  minister  to   70 

Elders  as  members  of  standing  committees  of 95 

Elders  not  members  of,  as  commissioners % 

Right  of  to  excommunicate  a  deposed  minister. 110 

Dissolution  of  Session  bv ....    114 


634  INDEX. 

Presbytery  : — Continued. 

Org-anization  of,  by  Synod 114 

Constituent  elements  of 115 

Quorum  of 115 

Meeting-s  of,  how  often  ? 115 

Times  of  meetings  of 116 

Special  meetings  of 116 

Members  of  special  meeting's  of 117 

Moderator  of 101 

Stated  Clerk  of 102 

(See  also  Clerk.) 

Inefficient  Clerk  of,  to  be  removed 103 

Duties  of  Stated  Clerk  of 117 

Offices  of  Clerk  and  Treasurer  of,  combined 117 

Advisory  members  and  visiting-  brethren  in 118 

Powers  of 118 

(See  also  Power  of  Presbytery.) 

Fraudulent  membership  in 120 

How  a  minister  is  transferred  to 120 

Restoration  of  license  by 127 

To  discourag^e  marriag^e  of  probationers 127 

To  be  censured  for  irreg^ular  ordinations 133,  137 

To  report  training-  of  probationers  to  Educational  Society 136 

Ordered  bj^  Synod  to  rescind  an  act    145 

Instructed  to  install  as  pastors 156 

"When,  to  install  as  pastors 157 

Cannot  examine  ministers  coming-  by  letter 158 

Cannot  seat  a  representative  until  his  church  is  received 159 

Boundaries  of,  determined  by  Synod 167 

Acts  of  irreg-ular,  can  Sj^nod  leg-alize  ? 170 

When  it  cannot  be  ordered  by  Sj-nod  to  re-open  a  case 172 

Can  Synod  order,  to  drop  a  name  ? 173 

When  a  call  on,  by  Synod  is  unconstitutional 174 

Ordered  by  S^'nod  to  correct  its  record 176 

Not  preachers  assessed  for  contingent  tax 219 

Reimbursements  to,  from  conting^ent  tax 222 

Delinquent  in  contingent  tax  to  be  reported  by  Clerk 222 

To  enforce  law  concerning-  baptism 321 

To  exercise  discipline  concerning-  worldly  amusements 329 

Has  exclusive  jurisdiction  in  ordaining-,  settling-,  removing-,  or 

judg-ing-  ministers 367 

To  secure  attendance  of  probationers  at  our  Seminary 548 

•Probationers    to    g-o   to   others   than    our    own    Seminary    b^- 

consent  of 549 

To  attend  to  education  of  probationers 560 

Preservation  of  believers,  a  vital  doctrine 275 

Preston,  Rev.  W.  B.,  Temporary  Clerk 204 


INDEX.  635 

Probationer  : 

(See  also  "  Candidate  "  and  "  Licentiate.") 

Requirements  of,  by  Cumberland  Presbytery 2 

Received  and  licensed  by  Presbj'terj- 122 

Without  a  letter 124 

Responsible  to  Session  for  conduct 124 

Name  of,  dropped 124 

As  ruling-  elder 125 

Aid  not  to  be  extended  to  a,  who  uses  tobacco. 127 

Marriage  of,  before  education  is  completed,  discouraged 127 

Presbytery  may  ordain 130 

Assembly's  course  of  study  for 130 

To  attend  Theological  Seminary 548 

Not   to   attend   other  seminaries  without   consent  of  Presby- 
tery      549 

Education  of,  attended  to  by  Presbj'tery 560 

Process,  causes  without 61 

Professors  of  Theological  Seminarj' 533-539 

(See  also  Theological  Seminary.) 

Prohibition,  deliverances  on 2>ci2, 

Proof-texts  to  Revised  Confession 33 

Property,  Church  : 

Title  to  54 

Committees  on 56 

Protest  : 

Of  W.  H,  Berry  at  al.,  on  woman  eldership 80 

Against  election  of  an  elder  as  Moderator  of  Assembly 94 

Of  Buffalo  Gap  Presbytery 158 

Defined 362 

Right  of,  belongs  to  those  only  who  are  present 374,  378 

Vote  necessary  to  record  a 374 

Authority  of  higher  court  in  matter  of 385 

Pl.BLICATION  : 

(See  also  Publication,  Board  of.) 

Work  of,  before  1847 ; .  397 

Collections  for 401 

Examining  Committee,  on  manuscripts  for 401 

Committee  on 408 

Of  books  for  Sunday  schools 417 

Of  books  for  colored  people 417 

Of  books  by  contract 418,  424 

Of  weekly  Church  paper  ;  see  Ciintberlaiid  Presbyterian,  Tlie. 

Of  Sunday  school  periodicals   442 

Of  books,  list  of 444 

Of  quarterly  reviews 447 

Day  for 460 


636  INDEX. 

Publication,  Board  of  : 

(See  also  "  Publication  "  and  "  Publishing-  House.") 

At  Louisville,  Ky 397-404 

An  early  constitution  of .  .    398 

Cash  system  adopted  by 400,  408,  420 

Book  depositories  of 400,  417,  418,  422 

Credit  system  adopted  by 401 

At  Nashville,  Tenn 402-409,  415-460 

Incorporation  of 406 

At  Pittsburg,  Pa   409-415 

Financial  plans  of 419 

Agents  of 419-426 

Bookstore  of,  opened 420 

Assembly  declines  to  move 423 

Interests  of,  to  be  made  self-sustaining 423 

General  Managers  of ....   426,  427 

Purchase  of  weekh'  Church  papers  by 429-431 

Books  published  by 444 

Krection  of  Publishing  House  by  ;   see  Publishing  House. 

Debt  of 460 

Charter  of 460 

Sunday  school  work  under 574,  575 

Publishing  House  : 

(See  also  Publication,  Board  of.) 

Advisability  of  having  a '. 416,  418,  424 

Fund  raised  for 449,  45Q 

Reports  of  Board  favoring  a 453-455 

Location  of 456 

Cost  of 459 

Debt  on 460 

Quarterly  Reviexv 448 

Questions  proposed  to  the  Assembly,  not  to  be  answered 369 

Quorum  of : 

Church  Session 105 

Presbytery 115 

Synod 160 

General  Assembly 185 

Reasons  for  appeal  must  be  given 361,  370 

Rebellion,  a  sin  against  God 342 

Record,  JSIissiojiary .  .  . ". 494 

Records  : 

Cannot  be  changed  after  adjournment 104 

Verbal  testimony  regarding 104 

Vote  to  expunge  matter  from 105 

Of  Synod  cannot  be  corrected  after  having  passed  Assembly  .  .    176 
Synod  may  direct  Presbyter^'  to  correct 176 

Remand  with  instructions.  Synod  may 174 


INDEX.  637 

Reprobation,  doctrine  of,  rejected 1,  22 

Retired  church  members,  names  of 61 

Revision  : 

Of  Westminster  Confession  by  Cumberland  Synod 23 

Of  Confession  of  Faith  (1883) 25 

(See  also  Confession  of  Faith.) 

Revival  of  1800 1,  3,  4 

Rice,  Prof.  L,.  L.,  Editor  of  Ciimbei'latid  Presbyterian 442 

Rights  of  Appeal  : 

Mutual  to  prosecutor  and  defendant 364 

Equal  to  every  Session,  Presbytery-  and  Synod 364 

Roll  : 

Of  retired  members 61 

Of  Presbytery,  name  dropped  from 173 

Roman  Catholic  Church  : 

Deliverances  on 305 

Baptism  of 321 

Rotation  in  offices  of  elder  and  deacon 90-93 

Ruling  Elder  : 

Office  of 77 

Duties  of 78 

Who  should  be  elected  to  office  of  ? 78 

May  a  woman  be  elected  as  a  ? 78-88 

Cannot  be  elected  for  limited  period 89 

Cannot  be  deposed  except  by  trial 89 

Rotation  in  office  of .  .    90 

Elected  Moderator  of  Assemblj-   93 

On  standing-  committees  of  Presbytery 95,  159 

As  commissioner  to  Assembly 96,  159 

Not  compelled  to  vote  as  instructed •     96 

Quorum  may  have  meeting"  of  Session  without  minister 110 

Process  ag-ainst,  by  Session Ill 

Session  may  retire 113 

Probationers  as 125 

In  Presbytery,  not  elected  by  Session 158 

oSTot  seated  in  Presbytery  before  church  is  received 159 

Sabbath  : 

Travel  on,  by  commissioners  immoral 184 

Sanctification  of 324 

How  to  be  spent 525 

Duty  of  church  members  toward 325 

Dut)-  of  ministers  toward '. 325,  326 

Getting-  mail  and  riding  in  train.s  on 326 

Opening-  of  Columbian  Exposition  on 327 

Sabbath  school ;  .see  Sunday  .school. 

Sabbath  School  Gem 442 


638  INDEX. 

Sackament : 

Of  baptism 319 

(See  also  Baptism.) 

Of  Lord's  Supper 322 

(See  also  Lord's  Supper.) 

Salary  of  Stated  Clerk 201 

Sanctification,  deliverances  on 228 

School  for  Cumberland  Presb^'terian  Church,  Colored 356,  358 

Schools,  Bible  in  our 318 

Seattle  Presbytery,  org^anization  of   114 

Secession,  deliverances  on 340 

Secor,  J.  L.,  Corresponding-  Secretary  Board  of  Missions 494 

Secret  and  family  worship.    323 

Seminary  ;   see  Theolog"ical  Seminary- 
Session  : 

Has  original  jurisdiction  over  church  members 60,  110 

May  render  judg^ment  without  process 61 

Duties  of  Clerk  of 102,  108 

Inefficient  Clerk  of,  to  be  removed 103 

Defined 105 

Duties  of 105 

Moderator  of 106 

Clerk  of,  the  creature  of  the  Session 108 

Clerk  of,  to  keep  a  record  of  all  money 108 

At  Madisonville,  Ky 109 

Has  the  sole  right  to  excommunicate 110 

Meeting  of,  in  absence  of  minister 110 

Enters  process  against  elder  or  deacon Ill 

When  it  may  retire  name  of  member Ill 

May  retire  elder  or  deacon 113 

Sunday  school  under  care  of 113 

Dissolution  of,  by  Presb3'ter3' 114 

Holds  probationers  responsible  for  conduct 124 

Relation  of,  to  Committee  on  Pastorates  and  Supplies ...    150 

Amenable  to  Presbj'tery  for  delinquency  to  Synod 162 

To  enforce  law  concerning  baptism 321 

To  exercise  discipline  concerning  worldly  amusements. .  . .   329,  330 

Sin,  God  not  the  author  of 22 

Slavery,  deliverances  on 341,  347-350 

Smith,  Rev.  James,  Stated  Clerk  of  Assembly 189 

Stated  Clerk  oe  Generai,  Assembly  : 

List  of 182,  189 

Pro  teinpore,  appointed  bj'  Moderator 190,  193 

In  case  of  death  of 193 

Duties  of 193-201 

Gathers  statistics 195,  224 

Must  report  inefficient  Clerks  of  Presbyteries 196 


INDEX.  039 

Stated  Clerk  of  General  Assembly  : — Continued. 

Prints  and  distributes  Minutes 197 

Minutes  not  withheld  by  for  non-payment  of  tax 198 

Employ's  a  reporter 199 

Conducts  correspondence  with  other  ecclesiastical  bodies 199 

Receives  and  receipts  for  conting-ent  fund 200 

Performs  duties  of  Engrossing-  Clerk 200 

Duties  of  in  reference  to  transportation 201 

Salary  of 201 

Appoints  temporary  clerks 204 

Cannot  compromise  or  remit  contingent  tax 220 

Must  report  Presbyteries  delinquent  in  conting-ent  tax 222 

Statistics  of  the  Church  : 

To  be  reported  by  the  Stated  Clerk 195,  196 

General  instructions  concerning- 224 

Statistics  of  the  Cumberland  Presb3'terian  Church,  Colored,  to  be 

printed  in  Minutes 359 

Stephens,  Rev.  J.  V.  :  Appointed  to  prepare  Digest v. 

Chairman  Committee  to  Index  Confession 41 

Temporary  Clerk 204 

Member  of  Historical  Committee 338 

To  report  on  Permanent  Judiciary  Committee 387 

Corresponding-  Secretary  of  Board  of  Missions 494 

Professor  in  Theological  Seminary 537 

Member  Permanent  Committee  on  Sunday  Schools 576 

Study,  Assembly's  Course  of 131 

Sunday  Morning 442 

Sunday  Schools  :    (See    also    Sunday    Schools,    Permanent   Com- 
mittee on.) 

Under  care  of  Sessions 113 

Publication  of  books  for 417 

Publication  of  periodicals  for   . .  - 442 

Early  work  of. 574 

Work  of,  under  Board  of  Publication 574,  575 

Standing-  Committee  on  Publication  and 575 

Advisory  Committee  on 575 

Standing-  Committee  on    578 

General  Superintendents  of 580 

Sunday  Schools,  Permanent  Committee  on  :  (See  also  S.  S.) 

Establishment  of 576 

Reg-ulations  of 576 

And  Children's  Day 578 

And  Presbyterial  Secretaries 579 

And  Synodical  Work 579 

Superintendents  : 

Of  Missions .' 493 

Of  Sunday  Schools 580 


640  INDEX. 

Suspended : 

Church  member,  restoration  of 62 

Church  member  in  worship 63 

Minister  related  to  Presbytery 70 

Restoring-  of  a,  minister 71 

Suspension  : 

Cannot  be  removed  while  an  appeal  is  pending- 72 

Power  to  remove  a 143 

Synod : 

Of  Kentucky  :   see  Kentucky'  Synod. 

Of  Cumberland  ;   see  Cumberland  SA'nod. 

Organization  of  early 19,  21,  179 

Representative  of  particular  church  in 51 

Minister  in  transitu,  in  relation  to 69 

Ministers  who  are  members  of,  should  attend . .  .70,  162 

Creates  the  Presbytery 114 

Moderator  of ...  101,  166 

Clerk  of 102,  167 

Inefficient  Clerk  of,  to  be  removed 103 

To  act  against  Presbyteries  for  illeg-al  ordination 133 

May  order  Presbytery  to  rescind  an  act 145,  176 

Constituents  of 160 

Quorum  of 160 

Created  by  Assembly                   161 

Kxists  as  soon  as  ordered 161 

Boundaries  of,  determined  by  General  Assembly 161 

May  speak  as  to  change  of  its  boundaries 161 

May  deal  with  Presbyteries  of  delinquent  members 163 

Cannot  remove  members  from  the  ministry 163 

Meetings  of 164 

Called  meeting  of ... .    164 

Meeting-  of,  after  the  time  to  which  it  stood  adjourned,  legal. . .  166 

Determines  presbj-terial  boundaries 167 

Transfer  of  membership  of  minister  b)' 168 

Member  of,  must  g-ive  name  of  his  Presbj-tery 170 

Leg-alizing  acts  of  irregular  Presbytery  b\ 170 

Acts  of,  without  a  constitutional  element,  ratified 171 

Cannot  order  Presbytery  to  re-open  a  case 172 

Order  to  Presbytery  to  drop  a  name 173 

May  remand  case  with  instructions 174 

When  call  of,  on  Presbytery  is  unconstitutional 174 

Advisory  members  and  visiting  brethren  in 175 

Held  on  Sundaj^ 175 

Should  obey  Assembly 176 

Sees  that  Presbj'teries  obey  constitution 176 

Records   of,    cannot    be    changed    after  they  have   passed   the 

Assei'.'.blj' 176 


INDEX.  041 

Synod  :  -Continued. 

Order  to  Presbyter)'  to  correct  its  record 176 

Only  ministers  and  elders  entitled  to  sit  in 177 

Cannot  be  made  court  of  final  appeal 178 

Synodical  Missions 499 

(See  also  Home  Missions.) 

Systematic  beneficence,  Assembly's  card  for 63 

Systematic  Beneficexce,  Permanent  Committee  on  : 

Establishment  of 589 

Objects  of 590 

Reports  of 590-595 

Allowance  to,  from  Church  Boards 593,  595 

Tax  ;  see  Conting-ent  Tax. 
Temperance : 

(See  also  Tobacco.) 

Enjoined  upon  all  ministers  and  members 330 

Session  to  exercise  discipline  concerning- 332 

Prohibition  of  the  liquor  traffic 333 

Templeton,  Rev.  A.,  member  of  Committee  on  Revision 32 

Temporary  Clerks  of  Assembly  : 

Stated  Cierk  appoints 204 

List  of 204 

Testimony,  verbal  before  a  committee  on  church  records 104 

Theater-g-oing-  condemned 330 

The  Cumberland  Presbyterian  ;  see  Cuinherland  Presbyterian,  The. 
Theological    instruction,    for    Cumberland    Presbyterian    Church, 

Colored 357,  358 

Theological  Medium 447 

Theological  Seminary: 

Establishment  of 515-527 

Relation  to  Assembly 517.  519,  522,  527 

Location  of 517,  519 

Appointments  of  Trustees  for,  approved  by  Assembly ...    520,  528 

Plan  for  establishment  of 522 

Board  of  Trustees  of 527 

Trustees  of,  report  to  AssenibU' 528 

Assembly  maj'  appoint  separate  Board  for 528 

Charter  of  Cumberland  University'  g^overningf 531 

Faculty  of 533-539 

Rev.  R.  Beard .' 533 

Rev.  B.  W.  McDonnold 534 

Rev.  S.  G.  Burney 534 

Rev.  W.  H.  Darnall .   534 

Rev.  If.  V.  Foster 534 

Rev.  J.  D.  Kirkpatrick 534 

Rev.  C.  H.  Bell 535 

Rev.  J.  M.  Hubbert   536 

41 


642  I.\'DEX. 

Theologicai,  Seminary  : — Continued. 

Rev.  W.  P.  Bone 537 

Rev.  F.  K.  Farr 537 

.    Rev.  J.  V.  Stephens 537 

Board  of  Visitors  to 541 

Financial  Ag-ents  of 545 

Catalogue  of 547 

Conferred  degree  on  a  woman 547 

Presbyteries  to  secure  attendance  of  probationers  at 548 

Church  colleges  to  co-operate  with 550 

Murdock  Library  presented  to 550 

Hale  Reference  Library 551 

Aided  by  Educational  Society 558 

"Theology  Condensed  "  commended 227 

Thompson,  Rev.  T.  S. ,  case  of •  .  .   384 

Thornton  Home 572 

Title  to  church  ])roperty 54 

Titles  after  names  in  Minutes 223 

Tobacco : 

(See  also  Temperance.) 

Probationers  and 127,  334 

Resolutions  on  use  of 333 

Transylvania  Presbytery 4,  6,  12-14 

Treasukek  of  Assembly  : 

List  of 205 

.   Required  to  give  bond 205 

Remuneration  of 205 

Duties  of 206 

Must  pay  bills  promptly 206 

Treasurer  of  Church  Court  : 

Duties  of 105 

Offices  of,  and  Clerk  of  Presbytery  combined 117 

Trinity,  Dr.  Beard's  theory  of,  commended 227 

Trinity  University,  charter  of 603 

Trustees,  Assembly's  Board  of  ;  see  General  Assembly's  Board  of 
Trustees. 

Uncle  Josh's  Proposition 424 

Union  ;  see  Organic  Union. 

Union  (U.  S.),  preservation  of 339 

United  Christian  Commission 317 

United  Church  of  Christ  in  Japan 507 

Usher,  Rev.  and  Mrs.  F.  C,  memorials  of 372 

Venue,  change  of,  cannot  be  taken 365-369 

Visiting  Brethren  : 

In  Presbytery 118 

In  Synod 175 

Visitors,  Board  of 541 


IXDEX.  643 

Vote  : 

Of  Presbyteries  on  Revised  Confession 34 

Unanimous  to  expung-e  matter  from  records 105 

Ma3'-  an  invited  Moderator  cast  a  ? 107 

Of  Moderator  in  case  of  Henry  Craft 375 

War  resolutions,  deliverances  on 343,  344 

Ward,  Mrs.  L,.  A. ,  a  ppeal  of 375 

Ward,  Rev.  W.  E.,  delegate  to  Presbyterian  Council 279 

On  Board  of  Publication 403,  439 

Warren,  Rev.  J.  H.,  General  Superintendent  of  S.  S 581 

Waynesburg-  College,  charter  of 596 

Waynick,  Rev.  D.  T.,  appeal  of 376 

Waynick,  Rev.  D.  T.  et  al.,  appeal  of 382 

Weir,  Rev.  Edmund,  missionary  to  Liberia 478 

Whatley,  Rev.  A.  H.,  missionar^^  to  Mexico 509 

Whitson,  Rev.  H.,  memorial  of 373 

Williams,  Rev.  W.  L.,  eligibility  of,  as  a  commissioner 184 

Wilson,  John  D.,  Agent  Board  of  Publication 426 

Withdrawal  : 

Of  a  member 62 

Of  a  minister 72 

Witnesses,  new,  vm.y  be  introduced 371 

Woman : 

May  not  be  ordained  to  the  ministry 73 

May  a,  be  elected  as  an  elder  ? 78-88 

Appointed  to  care  for  the  sick 97 

May  not  sit  in  Synod  as  representative 177 

Deg-ree  conferred  upon,  bA^  Seminar^' 547 

Woman's  Board  of  Missions  : 
(See  also  Missions.) 

Organization  of 512 

Charter  of 512 

Constitution  of 514 

Woman's  National  Christian  Temperance  Union 316 

Wood,  D.  E. ,  appeal  of 378 

Woods,    Rev.    E.   R-,   on   Committee  on  Union  with   Presbyterian 

Church  in  U.  S 244 

Woosley,  Mrs.  L.  M.,  eligibility  of,  to  a  seat  in  the  Assembly 73 

Appeal  of 74 

Ordination  of,  null  and  void 75 

Worldly  amusements  ;  see  Amusements. 

Worship,  secret  and  family,  to  be  observed 323 

Young-  Men's  Christian  Association 315 


Date  Due 

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